Description

The Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) course is a two-day national certification program offered by the National Recreation and Park Association and co-hosted by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. The program is designed to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date training for pool operators and focuses on water chemistry, disinfection, mechanical systems, operations, healthy pools and safety. Upon successful completion of the AFO Course and a 50-question open book exam, participants will be certified for 5 years by the National Certification Board in coordination with the National Recreation and Park Association. If your job requires you to oversee a public pool or aquatic facility, or you are looking to further educate yourself on aquatic facility maintenance and operations, you are encouraged to take this course.

Registration deadline is Friday, February 13, 2026.

Location

IPRA Headquarters - 15 Spinning Wheel Road, Hinsdale, IL 60521

Course Materials 

Registration for course & exam includes the 7th Edition AFO Course Manual. Course materials will be sent to attendees before the start of the course. Registration for the exam only is common for certification renewal and therefore does not include course materials.

Special Exam Accommodations

Candidates with a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may request a special accommodation for the exam. The request must be submitted in writing to IPRA by Friday, February 13, 2026.

English as a Second Language (ESL) candidates may request a time extension and/or the use of a strict translation dictionary. The request must be submitted in writing to IPRA by Friday, February 13, 2026.

CEUs

Course is approved for 1.5 continuing education units and will be awarded to those in attendance for both days of class. The course content has been approved for 15 total hours of continuing education, which means it can be used for CPRE, CPRP, and AFO certification renewals.

• Group A (Circulation, Filtration, Heating and Power, Water Chemistry, etc) - 1.0 CEUs
• Group B (Preventative Maintenance, Safety Considerations, etc) - 0.5 CEUs

For more information about the AFO certification renewal policy, visit NRPA's website at https://www.nrpa.org/certification/AFO/afo-renewal/.

Course & Exam Schedule

For complete details on the course/exam schedule, see below or download the schedule.