UPDATED CERTIFIED POOL OPERATOR
TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027
What are the 11 reasons for closure of the pool? - ANSWER-1) A lifeguard is not on the
pool deck of a general use pool, or a spa guard is not on the premises of a spa
2) The main drain is not clearly visible form the nearest lifeguard chair
3) The free chlorine, total bromine, pH, or cyanuric acid readings of the pool water are
other than specified under section II, B 1
4) The recirculating equipment is not working properly for more than one hour
5) the water level is below the skimmers in the pools using this method of circulation
6) The chemical disinfectant feeder hasnt been functioning for a period of 24 hours;
provided that the ph, free chlorine, total bromine, or other apprved disinfectant residuals
are maintained in accordance with section II, water quality
7) the bathhouse drainage system is blocked sufficiently to render the bathhouse
unusable, water is not available at sufficient pressure to operate the bathhouse, waste
disposal systems are inoperable, unsanitary conditions exist, or the bathhouse is
unusable for other health or safety reasons
8) The director has been wrongfully denied permission to inspect the pool pursuant to
Chapter 51 and these regulations
9) a licensed montgomery county pool operator is not in immediate control of the pool
10) The director determines that an immediate hazard exists to the health or safety of
the users of any pool
11) At least one lifeguard currently certified in infant/ child/ adult CPR is not within the
pool enclosure
Certified pool operator has to be at a facilitiy ( ________________) prior to opening to
measure, record and adjust... - ANSWER-30 min
how often should Chlorine and Ph be checked? - ANSWER-every 2 hours in a pool and
every hour for a spa
, records must be maintained on site and available for at least how many years at the
pool and how many years total? - ANSWER-2 years at the pool and 2 years total
what supervision is the best prevention of accidents at the pool? - ANSWER-Adult
supervision
All public pools must have a ( ) and a () in order for the pool to open - ANSWER-pool op
and lifeguard
Saturation Index - ANSWER-is a numerical figure that indicates water equilibrium or
water balance
5 factors generally figure into water balance - ANSWER-PH, total alkalinity, calcium
hardness, temperature, and total dissolved solids
corrosive water - ANSWER-seeks to satisfy hunger by dissolving virtually everything
that it contacts
scaling water - ANSWER-has too many ingredients and deposits that excess until it
reaches equilibrium
pH and range and how often it should be tested - ANSWER-how acidic or basic a
solution is.
7.2 - 7.8
tested every 2 hours at a pool and every hour at the spa
use Phenol red
what do you use to raise or lower Ph - ANSWER-to lower - muriatic acid
to raise - soda ash ( sodium carbonate )
Total alkalinity and its range - ANSWER-the buffering capacity of the water to maintain
its current level of pH; defined as amount of carbonates and bicarbonates in the water
range is 60 -180 and must be tested every week for a main pool and every day for a spa
how to raise or lower total alkalinity - ANSWER-raise - baking soda (sodium
bicarbonate)
lower - muriatic acid
calcium hardness - ANSWER-the mineral content in the water and should be at around
150 - 400
TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027
What are the 11 reasons for closure of the pool? - ANSWER-1) A lifeguard is not on the
pool deck of a general use pool, or a spa guard is not on the premises of a spa
2) The main drain is not clearly visible form the nearest lifeguard chair
3) The free chlorine, total bromine, pH, or cyanuric acid readings of the pool water are
other than specified under section II, B 1
4) The recirculating equipment is not working properly for more than one hour
5) the water level is below the skimmers in the pools using this method of circulation
6) The chemical disinfectant feeder hasnt been functioning for a period of 24 hours;
provided that the ph, free chlorine, total bromine, or other apprved disinfectant residuals
are maintained in accordance with section II, water quality
7) the bathhouse drainage system is blocked sufficiently to render the bathhouse
unusable, water is not available at sufficient pressure to operate the bathhouse, waste
disposal systems are inoperable, unsanitary conditions exist, or the bathhouse is
unusable for other health or safety reasons
8) The director has been wrongfully denied permission to inspect the pool pursuant to
Chapter 51 and these regulations
9) a licensed montgomery county pool operator is not in immediate control of the pool
10) The director determines that an immediate hazard exists to the health or safety of
the users of any pool
11) At least one lifeguard currently certified in infant/ child/ adult CPR is not within the
pool enclosure
Certified pool operator has to be at a facilitiy ( ________________) prior to opening to
measure, record and adjust... - ANSWER-30 min
how often should Chlorine and Ph be checked? - ANSWER-every 2 hours in a pool and
every hour for a spa
, records must be maintained on site and available for at least how many years at the
pool and how many years total? - ANSWER-2 years at the pool and 2 years total
what supervision is the best prevention of accidents at the pool? - ANSWER-Adult
supervision
All public pools must have a ( ) and a () in order for the pool to open - ANSWER-pool op
and lifeguard
Saturation Index - ANSWER-is a numerical figure that indicates water equilibrium or
water balance
5 factors generally figure into water balance - ANSWER-PH, total alkalinity, calcium
hardness, temperature, and total dissolved solids
corrosive water - ANSWER-seeks to satisfy hunger by dissolving virtually everything
that it contacts
scaling water - ANSWER-has too many ingredients and deposits that excess until it
reaches equilibrium
pH and range and how often it should be tested - ANSWER-how acidic or basic a
solution is.
7.2 - 7.8
tested every 2 hours at a pool and every hour at the spa
use Phenol red
what do you use to raise or lower Ph - ANSWER-to lower - muriatic acid
to raise - soda ash ( sodium carbonate )
Total alkalinity and its range - ANSWER-the buffering capacity of the water to maintain
its current level of pH; defined as amount of carbonates and bicarbonates in the water
range is 60 -180 and must be tested every week for a main pool and every day for a spa
how to raise or lower total alkalinity - ANSWER-raise - baking soda (sodium
bicarbonate)
lower - muriatic acid
calcium hardness - ANSWER-the mineral content in the water and should be at around
150 - 400
