Education & Certification

APSP offers a number of educational and certification courses to help you achieve your professional goals and advance the industry. APSP offers both technical and business courses, in addition to various networking events and conferences, to help bring industry colleagues together to learn from one another. APSP also offers standardized written examinations. Please review the educational calendar to sign up for your next course or exam today. For more information, please contact Bird Dawson by email (bdawson@APSP.org) or voice mail (703.838.0083, ext. 152).

APSP Educational Calendar

If you or your employees need training or certification, review the APSP Education Calendar now to make your educational plans. For service technicians, APSP offers TECH I and TECH II classes, the TECH I Correspondence Course for those who prefer a mail-in study program, the Service Proficiency Exam for those who would like to “skip” TECH I, and the CSP Certified Service Professional® Exam. For pool and spa builders, we offer the Building Professional I class, the Building Professional I Correspondence Course, a CBP Exam Refresher Course, the CBP Certified Building Professional® Exam, and an Advanced Builder Program. For more details, contact Bird Dawson.

CBP Certified Building Professional®

The APSP CBP Certified Building Professional® Program will enhance the professional identity of the APSP builder member in the eyes of the consumer through an emphasis on high ethical standards, commitment to the highest standards of workmanship and construction, business stability, and superior customer relations. Each APSP builder member who meets all the program requirements will be granted the CBP Certified Building Professional® designation.

APSP offers educational courses for pool and spa builders. The Building Professional I and Building Professional II courses have been launched by APSP, and these courses are available in the classroom or by correspondence through the mail. The Building Professional courses and the CBP Certified Building Professional® exam are based on the APSP Builders Manual, a reference manual that includes the essential elements for building quality pools and spas. To place an order for the APSP Builders Manual, contact APSP Member Services (memberservices@APSP.org or 703.838.0083, ext. 301), or visit the APSP Store by clicking here. For a Building Professional I Correspondence Course application, click here. For more information about the CBP Certified Building Professional® Program, contact Bird Dawson by email (bdawson@APSP.org) or voice mail (703.838.0083, ext. 152), or click here.

CSP Certified Service Professional®

APSP offers technical training in pool and spa service, offered in three stages—TECH I, TECH II, and CSP Certified Service Professional®—all of which are based on the APSP Service Tech Manual. To place an order for the APSP Service Manual, contact APSP Member Services (memberservices@APSP.org or 703.838.0083, ext. 301), or visit the APSP Store by clicking here. The TECH I course teaches the basic elements of pool and spa technology: practical knowledge for technicians; structures and electrical systems; hydraulics, pumps, and filters; heaters; water chemistry and chemical feeders; and pool and spa maintenance. The TECH I course is available in the classroom or by correspondence through the mail. For a TECH I Correspondence Course application, click here. Experienced technicians who pass the APSP Service Proficiency Exam can "test out" of TECH I. For a Service Proficiency Exam application, click here.

The second stage of this training program is TECH II, which involves a more advanced course with a greater focus on problem solving, renovation, electrical troubleshooting, pump installation, sizing and repairing filters, advanced water chemistry, and automated maintenance systems. The TECH II course is available only in the classroom. Individuals who successfully complete the TECH II course can advance to the third stage—which involves 40 hours of technical elective courses and a standardized written examination. APSP members who successfully complete the requirements of the third stage will be granted the program's highest credential—CSP Certified Service Professional®. For more information about the CSP Certified Service Professional® program, contact Bird Dawson by email (bdawson@APSP.org) or voice mail (703.838.0083, ext. 152), or click here.

CRSA Certified Retail Sales Associate

APSP is proud to offer the Certified Retail Sales Associate (CRSA) program, a comprehensive and self-directed learning program. Developed by the APSP Retailers Council, it is intended for training retail employees in entry-level or even supervisory positions, as well as seasonal or potential workers. The program is appropriate for high school students or adults of any age or experience level. It offers knowledge that is relevant to the pool, spa, and hot tub retail environment, including customer service skills, consultative sales techniques, and basic technical information.

The CRSA course materials, including the APSP Retail Sales Associate Manual, can be used by an individual learner or as part of company training provided to a group. Individuals can earn professional certification by passing a rigorous 200-question online exam. The exam questions relate to real-life situations that retail professionals are likely to encounter with customers. The exam measures each test taker's ability to identify the best courses of action. All successful candidates receive a certificate and, if they are APSP members, also receive the CRSA professional designation.

To order the CRSA course materials or sign up to take the exam, please contact APSP Member Services at memberservices@APSP.org or 703.838.0083, ext. 301.

APSP Hot Tub Technician Manual

This new, 348-page, full-color reference manual offers a wide body of knowledge on servicing and troubleshooting manufactured hot tubs of all makes and models. To see the Hot Tub Technician Manual ad, click here. In addition to compiling information from a broad variety of sources, the manual offers ways to improve technicians’ performance and efficiency. It discusses the full range of hot tub service topics, including safety and health; customer service and other practical knowledge; structures and finishes; electrical systems; circulation, plumbing, and filtration; pumps, electric motors, and equipment systems; control systems; heaters, air blowers, and other accessories; water chemistry; maintenance, seasonal care, and hot tub covers. A glossary of hot tub terms and definitions is included.
 
The manual will be used as the basis of a training and certification program that is in the process of being developed for hot tub service technicians. In addition to an educational track of hot tub seminars that are already being offered at the International Pool & Spa Expo and other trade shows, the program will eventually include a comprehensive multi-day course based on the Hot Tub Technician Manual. The APSP Hot Tub Technician Manual is available now for $99 for APSP members/$199 for non-members (prices subject to change). To order the manual, contact the APSP Member Services Center (memberservices@APSP.org or 703.838.0083, ext. 301).

Business Leadership

The APSP also has business education. The Business Leadership Program can help you develop and improve your business management skills. The program's five core topics include business law, finance, sales and marketing, human resources, and general management. For more information about the Business Leadership Program, click here.