Aquatic Training Institute

FAQ's

Click on question below for answer.

Questions about the Certified Pool Technician course:

Q: What are the differences in certification courses?

A: There are several courses accepted for the certification of operators of commercial pools. These include:

Certified Pool Technician (CPT™)--offered by Aquatic Training Institute;
Certified Pool Operator (CPO™)—offered by National Swimming Pool Foundation;
Aquatic Facilities Operator (AFO™)—offered by National Recreation and Parks Association;
Pool Operators on Location (POOL™)—offered by YMCA;
Licensed Aquatic Facility Technician (LAFT™)—offered by American Swimming Pool and Spa Association;
North Shore Certified Pool Operator (NSCPO™)—offered by North Shore Lifesaving Association.

Generally, courses are approved or recognized by the Department of Health of the state in which they are offered. Once accepted, a course is deemed equal to other certification courses recognized in that state. No course provider has the authority to accept, recognize, or deny a program offered by another.

Q: What is unique about the Certified Pool Technician course?

A: The Certified Pool Technician course is the only certification course offered for commercial pool operators that can be taken completely online, including the final exam. The fee charged for the course covers the course, student handbook and final exam.

Q: Don’t other providers offer an online course?

A: Currently, another provider offers a course that is a combination of online and classroom instruction. A separate fee is collected for each portion. After completing the online segment, the student must travel to a classroom site for the course completion and testing.

Q: What happens if I fail the final exam?

A: ATI allows the student to retake the final exam at no charge after waiting 24 hours. A student failing to earn certification in a classroom-based course must locate and enroll in another class and pay a fee for retesting.

Q: Can I get a refund if ATI’s online course doesn’t meet my needs?

A: ATI will refund your registration fee if you return your handbook in “like new” condition, with a brief explanation as to why the course was not appropriate for you.

Q: Can I replace the person I enrolled with someone else?

A: ATI will allow you to substitute one student for another within a reasonable time period after the initial enrollment. However, state laws require that each student receive a handbook, so ATI must charge for and send a book to the new enrollee to ensure compliance.

Questions about the Continuing Education (CE) courses for Florida contractors:

Q: How many hours are required for license renewal?

A: All state certified and registered contractors are required to complete 14 hours of continuing education, of which four hours are mandatory—one hour of workers’ compensation, one hour of workplace safety, one hour on the advanced building code and one hour of business practice, during their biennial period. This continuing education must be completed prior to renewal. ATI offers all of these courses.

Q: My license has been inactive and now I wish to change the status to active.
How many hours of continuing education do I need?

A: That depends upon how long your license has been inactive. Although there is no requirement to obtain continuing education during the inactive period, a licensee must show completion of an equal amount of continuing education for each license period to activate that license. The basic requirement of 14 hours, including mandatory hours, must be fulfilled for each biennial period. You may not take the same course two times in the same biennial period, however you may take the same course in separate biennial periods.

Q: Do I need to send a copy of my course completion to the Board office?

A: You don’t need to send a copy of your course completion unless the Board office specifically requests this to be done. Providers are required to submit course completion information within five business days indicating those licensees whom successfully completed a course. The licensee has responsibility to maintain proof of completion of continuing education courses. We at ATI recommend that you print out the completion certificate that you receive at the end of the course and put it in your files (although we maintain these records for 10 years).

Q: How can I check on the number of hours of CE that I have completed?

A: To check the number of CE hours you’ve completed, simply go to www.myfloridalicense.com, activate your account and check your CE completed. The requirement for Providers to report completion of courses was not established until September 1, 2001, therefore the only hours tracked are those completed since the start date. License holders are to maintain their individual course completion certificates. If you would like, and with your permission, ATI will access your account and let you know exactly what you need in CE hours to meet requirements to renew or reactivate your license.

Q: If I fail the test, may I take it again immediately?

A: Yes. You may take the test up to five times.

Questions about Navigating the Website:

Q: My credit card was rejected. What happened?

A: When giving your credit card number, do not leave spaces in between the numbers. Also, make sure you give the correct billing address.

Q: Why do I have to scroll from side to side to view the text?

A: You may have to scroll from side to side to view the text. Try minimizing the right sidebar to view the complete screen.

Q: How do I advance to the next lesson in a course?

A: To advance to the next lesson, use the “Continue” arrow on the top right sidebar.

Q: What happens if I spend less than the mandatory time on one lesson?

A: You will not be able to advance to the next lesson until the required time has passed.

Q: May I leave the course and return at a later time?

A: Yes. You may have to leave the course and return later. If you log off the web site, you will have to log in again. Use “My Profile” to access the list of courses completed and any courses still in progress. Click on the course in progress and continue. (Also use this procedure if you are inadvertently knocked off the internet.)

Q: May I return to a previous lesson in the course?

A: Yes. You can return to the previous pages in the course by using the “Back” icon on your browser toolbar.

Q: Can I return to the lessons to answer questions on the test?

A: Yes. However, answers already marked will be deleted when you go back to the lessons. You may want to make a note of all questions you want to look up so you have to return to the text only once.

Q: How do I submit my test when it’s completed?

A: Use the “Submit” arrow on the right sidebar. Pool operator license, certification, course