The Regulations Governing Certification of Swimming Pool Service Companies, Technicians, Technician Apprentices, and Pool Operators, adopted by the Southern Nevada Health District Board of Health in October 27, 1988, and amended July 28, 1989, requires one of three possible certifications to conduct operations of, or maintenance on, permitted bathing facilities within the jurisdiction of the health district.

The information provided below is intended to assist those wishing to become certified and is not intended to be a substitute for the regulations adopted as noted above.

I. Operator Certification:

This basic certificate allows an employee of the pool owner (or volunteer in certain cases) to do onsite treatment and maintenance of a pool and/or spa. This type of certificate is often obtained by maintenance employees of apartment and condo complexes, home owner associations and fitness centers to allow for maintenance of the employer’s pool.

Pool operators must obtain a certification card for each location. For example, the owner of several apartment complexes with a centralized staff may have employees with several cards, one for each property.

Candidates must apply in person at the Pool Plan Review desk. Proof of employment must be presented. Appointments to sit for the exam may be made at that time. The test must be taken within 30 days of application. Persons who can show proof of certification with a nationally recognized entity (such as NSPF) as a pool operator may have the examination waived.

Dowload the Application for Certification of Pool Operator PDF (27 KB/1 page)

II. Technician / Technician Apprentice Certification:

This category is provided for use in conjunction with the Swimming Pool Service Company Certification. It allows for technicians that have their own company, or work for a company, to work on multiple pools by contract without having a card for each property. This certification may also be useful for those employees of a multiple complex of condos or apartments, and would allow service of multiple properties on a single card.

To qualify to test for technician, the candidate must have documentation of one year of experience working under a certified technician doing technical work with pool systems, such as the operation and servicing of motors, pumps, filters, chemical feeders and other equipment. Documentation shall include contact information and name and address of previous experience. Persons who can show proof of certification with a nationally recognized entity (such as NSPF) as a Pool Operator, or other technical course, may have 25 percent of the experience requirement waived.

Those without qualifying experience may sit for the Technician Apprentice test and then obtain certifying experience prior to testing for technician. Candidates must apply in person at the pool plan review desk. Proof of employment must be presented. Appointments to sit for the exam may be made at that time. The test must be taken within 30 days of application.

Dowload the Application for Certification of Pool Technician and Technician Apprentice PDF (49 KB/4 pages)

III. Swimming Pool Service Company Certification:

This certification specifically allows for the operation and advertisement of an independent pool service business. A swimming pool service company must employ technicians and technician apprentices (who must be supervised) to conduct pool maintenance activities by contract to individual property owners. It is presupposed by this category that the company will have one or more service trucks, and all trucks must be brought to the health district for inspection and approval. If an applicant for Swimming Pool Service Company Certification is a sole proprietor, the fees collected cover the company and one technician, where the owner is also the technician.

Candidates for Swimming Pool Service Company Certification must apply in person at the pool plan review desk.

Download the Application for Certification of Pool Company PDF (63 KB/4 pages)

IV. Further Information on Equipment Repair or Replacement:

None of the certifications noted in this guideline are approved to conduct remodeling of permitted pool or spa facilities. According to NAC 444.061, a “Remodel” means to “…replace all or part of any structure, circulation system or appurtenance of a public bathing or swimming facility or to modify it to the extent that its design, configuration or operating characteristics differ in any respect from those of the original.”

This does allow those certified, as well as other applicable trades people, to conduct normal maintenance and repair or replacement of equipment that has previously been approved unless the result of the maintenance or repair is such that “…the type, size or operating characteristics of the equipment are substantially different from those of the original.”

Remodeling must be done, under permit review, by a person licensed by the Nevada Contractor’s Board, at a minimum, as an “A-10E” contractor.

All appointments and testing will be conducted at the Ravenholt Public Health Center, 625 Shadow Lane. For more information call (702) 759-0571.