Credentials
An industry-standard certification issued by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) for the licensed operation of commercial and semi-public pools. Required by Illinois IDPH for every semi-public aquatic facility.
The CPO credential is the single most common legal requirement for operating a semi-public pool in Illinois. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 820 requires at least one certified operator (CPO or AFO) to be on site during operating hours and the certificate physically posted at the facility. CPO certification is valid for 5 years and covers chemistry, code compliance, equipment operations, and emergency response. Aqua-Guard runs monthly CPO classes at our Schaumburg office from March through June every year.
`CPO` and `AFO` (Aquatic Facility Operator) are different certifications. AFO is administered by NRPA, CPO by PHTA. Both satisfy Illinois requirements.
A pool technician without CPO is not a legal operator, even if they've been servicing pools for 20 years.
The certification is tied to the individual, not the company. If your CPO leaves, the facility technically loses its certified operator until a new one is posted.
Where this shows up at Aqua-Guard
Relevant services our team runs every week:
Related terms · Credentials
AFO (Aquatic Facility Operator)
An alternative to CPO certification, administered by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Satisfies the same Illinois IDPH operator requirement.
StarGuard Elite
A commercial lifeguard certification program administered by StarGuard ELITE / Jeff Ellis Management Inc. Widely accepted by Illinois IDPH for semi-public aquatic facilities.
Aqua-Guard runs certified commercial pool operations for Chicagoland HOAs, condos, and clubs. We handle the credentials so your board doesn't have to.
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