Get Your Team Certified!

“When you know better, you do better,” says Bob Barzilay, owner of Proper pH Pools in East Hampton, New York. 

That’s why he and over 250 other hot tub industry professionals are Certified Hot Tub Technicians, an industry designation awarded through the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance that teaches the essentials of servicing portable hot tubs.

This 16-hour course — available on-demand, virtually or in-person with a certified instructor — helps industry professionals master hot tub water chemistry, electrical systems, circulation and filtration and basic repairs to interior surfaces. 

Why CHTT?

Becoming a certified professional has many benefits. On a personal level, “certification can lead to better job opportunities and career advancement, including supervisory roles or entrepreneurship,” Barzilay says. “Certified technicians also may command higher salaries due to their specialized skills and expertise.”

For John Terry, pool operations manager at Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana, getting a fast diagnosis is key. “We’re in a remote location, so for me to be able to quickly take care of any issues that arise versus having to call the local hot tub vendor and wait one or two days for them to come up makes a world of difference for our clients’ experience.”

Brooks Holcomb, technical adviser and store manager for Memphis Pool in Memphis, Tennessee, has taught the CHTT course for over a decade. “CHTT gives pool professionals a great understanding of hot tub chemicals, mechanical operations, repairs and maintenance,” he says.

What you’ll learn

An important part of the course for Terry was learning how to “methodically go through a hot tub to figure out what the issue is — whether it’s a power supply issue, or a piece of equipment that’s not functioning because it’s reached the end of its life cycle,” he says. 

The CHTT course also provided him with the education and experience to resolve issues. With his deeper understanding, Terry can sometimes eliminate the need for an in-person service call because he can solve issues over the phone.

Barzilay points to three areas where the CHTT course makes the biggest impact:

• Safety and electrical training: The program places a strong focus on hot tub and personal safety, as well as electrical theory. This helps ensure technicians can safely work with electrical systems and maintain a safe environment for both themselves and their clients.
• Comprehensive equipment knowledge: The course covers everything from structural components to circulation, filtration, plumbing, pump systems, heaters and accessories. The training allows techs to diagnose and repair a range of hot tub issues confidently.
• Water chemistry and customer service skills: Advanced water chemistry is essential for keeping hot tubs clean and safe, while strong communication and service skills help technicians deliver a better customer experience.

Who should get certified?

Holcomb believes CHTT certification is “great for all employees who deal with hot tubs — whether they work in repairs or sales,” he says. “It gives them a wealth of knowledge on the subject.” Three of his technicians at Memphis Pool have taken the CHTT course, and he recommends it for everyone from new techs to old pros.

Barzilay recommends having more than one employee certified. Not only does it raise the caliber of the entire business but it decreases the backlog of service calls when he has multiple staff members who can fix issues simultaneously.

Terry’s employer also puts a big emphasis on education and certification. Although he is currently the only CHTT on staff, one coworker is preparing for the CHTT Exam and about 60 others are Certified Pool & Spa Operators. “Being able to show that we have certified professionals on staff helps with our credibility,” Terry says.

Barzilay agrees because when a company employs certified professionals, “it demonstrates their expertise and knowledge in hot tub maintenance and repair,” he says. “This enhances credibility and trust with clients.”