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The APSP is the world’s largest international trade association representing the swimming pool, spa, hot tub and recreational water industries. APSP is the leading industry advocate promoting professional best practices through education, industry standards, and safety.

APSP members adhere to a code of ethics in business and technical practices and share a strong commitment to the safe, healthful, and enjoyable use of industry products.

The APSP effectively replaced another well-known industry organization known as “National Pool and Spa Institute” or NSPI in 2006.

More information at: The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals

APSP Member Code of Ethics

All members of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals agree to be dedicated to and to comply with the following ethical principles and policies:

To contribute to the health, safety and welfare of the public in the design, manufacture, installation, maintenance and operation of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs by complying with all applicable laws, ordinances or regulations and refraining from engaging in fraudulent or deceptive acts or practices.
To hold all necessary federal, state and local licenses, registrations and permits.
To hold legally required liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and bonding.
To respect and not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others and to refrain from using the property of others without their prior, written consent.
To advertise products, services and prices truthfully and consistently with all federal, state and local advertising practices requirements.
To establish prices in a manner that does not involve collusion with a competitor and to clearly communicate such prices to potential customers or clients prior to providing such products or services.
To provide written sales agreements when such are requested by customers or required by law.
To comply with the terms of all agreements, oral or written, regarding the provision of products or services.
To respond to any consumer complaints made to any governmental authority, Better Business Bureau or equivalent nongovernmental authority.
To exclude from company ownership or senior management any person or entity who or which, within the past three (3) years, has been convicted of or pleaded no contest (or its equivalent) to any felony or other crime involving business or financial practices.
To use the APSP name, logo and other intellectual property only when and as permitted by APSP, and to cease all such use upon suspension from or termination of membership in APSP.
To file a complaint with APSP regarding a potential violation of this Code of Ethics only when in possession of credible evidence of such potential violation.
To cooperate fully with any APSP investigation of a potential violation of this Code of Ethics.
To encourage utilization of APSP educational offerings as a means of enhancing the professional skills and business integrity of APSP members and their employees.

BBB – “Better Business Bureau”

ELITE Landscaping is proud to have an A+ rating with the BBB. The BBB is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and foster the highest ethical standards between companies and their customers in the areas of:

Dependable Service
Honesty In Advertising
Honest Business Practices
Reliable Complaint Handling Procedures

Examples of services provided by the BBB are Business Reliability Reports, Dispute Resolution, Truth-in-Advertising, Consumer and Business Education and Charity Review.

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To be a member of the BBB, an applicant must:

Be invited to apply for membership by a staff person or Director of the Bureau.
Be actively engaged in business, in the BBB’s service area, for no less than 6 months.
Supply background information about the company, its principals or other information deemed essential to the BBB.
Cooperate with the BBB’s activities and efforts to promote voluntary self-regulation within the business industry.
Adhere to established BBB standards of advertising and selling, including the Code of Online Business Practices for online businesses that apply for the BBBOnLine Reliability logo, and cooperate with the BBB in matters relating thereto.
Promptly respond to any and all complaints forwarded by the BBB, and make good faith efforts to resolve all such complaints in accordance with generally accepted good business practices.
Comply with any decisions rendered through the Bureau’s or an alternative provider’s binding arbitration program.
Eliminate the underlying causes of patterns of consumer complaints that the BBB may call to the company’s attention.
Be free from an unsatisfactory report at the BBB in whose service area the company is headquartered.
Be free from any governmental action concerning the marketplace and its customers that demonstrates a significant failure of the company tosupport the principals and purposes of the BBB.
Support the principles and purposes of the BBB and not engage in any activity that reflects unfavorably on the BBB and its members.
Refrain from using the name or logo of the BBB for commercial, sales or advertising purposes in any manner not specifically authorized in writing by the BBB.
Promptly notify the Bureau of any changes in ownership, licensing status, addresses, telephone numbers, web site and any other information deemed necessary by the Bureau.
Fulfill all licensing and bonding requirements of applicable city, county, state and federal agencies and authorities, and provide license numbers upon application for BBB membership and provide periodic updates on request of the BBB.

Businesses earning the right to be included in this organization have a strong reputation of taking care of their customers. More information at: Better Business Bureau

CBP® – Certified Building Professional®

A Certified Building Professional® is an individual who has passed all the rigorous requirements of the APSP’s Certified Building Professional® training program. Graduates of the course learn the skills and value system pertaining to high ethical standards, commitment to the highest standards of workmanship and construction, business stability, and superior customer relations. After completion of the training, all graduates must complete continuing education requirements on an ongoing basis in order to maintain their CBP® certification.

More information athttps://apsp.org/education-certification/apsp-career-institute/cbp-program-become-a-certified-building-professional.aspx.

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CPO® – Certified Pool Operator®

The Certified Pool/Spa Operator® certification program has delivered more training than any other program in the pool and spa industry since 1972, resulting in more than 200,000 successful CPO® certifications in 44 countries.

CPO® certification courses are designed to provide individuals with the basic knowledge, techniques, and skills of pool and spa operations. It covers 14-16 hours of information from the NSPF® Pool & Spa Operator™ Handbook (provided) and local codes taught by an NSPF® Instructor.

The CPO® program is widely accepted by health departments. More information at www.nspf.org/Two_Day_Class.html

 
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CSP® – Certified Service Professional®

A Certified Service Professional® is an individual who has passed all the rigorous requirements of the APSP’s Certified Service Professional® training program. The three-level technical training program (TECH I, TECH II, and CSP) provides practical knowledge for technicians and service professionals, from structures and electrical systems, to hydraulics, pumps, and filters, to water chemistry and maintenance.

APSP members who successfully complete all three levels are granted the program’s highest credential – CSP™ Certified Service Professional®.

Afterwards, all graduates must complete continuing education requirements on an ongoing basis in order to maintain their CSP® certification. More information at https://www.apsp.org/ServiceEducationandCertificationPrograms.aspx

CSP® - Certified Service Professional®

Jack’s Magic® Certified Stain Specialist™

Jack’s Magic® is a leader in swimming pool stain prevention and removal, and has developed a specialist training program based on many years of experience in helping swimming pool professionals identify, prevent and remove stains and discoloration on pool finishes.

A Jack’s Magic Certified Stain Specialist™ has been trained and certified to deal with all things pertaining to the identification, prevention, and removal of swimming pool stains and discoloration. As a Certified Stain Specialist, we also receive ongoing support from the Jack’s Magic team, the leaders in swimming pool stain prevention and removal.

More information at www.jacksmagic.com.

 
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National Plasterers Council (NPC)

The National Plasterers Council was formed in 1988 to “provide a voice and support for swimming pool plasterers.”

Since then, the Council has been focused on studying plaster surface problems and the writing of technically sound practices for the industry. The Council has also worked to produce educational videos for consumers.

Other priorities include nationwide membership recruitment, new member benefits, and new educational opportunities including a pool surface applicator certification program.

NPC Certified Pool Startup Technician

The National Plasterers Council (NPC) created a certification program for pool builders and service technicians to utilize the nationally renowned NPC pool start-up method.

The program itself consists of a day-long course focusing primarily on chemical start-ups in plaster pools. It’s based on a method the NPC developed in conjunction with industry professionals, and scientists at the National Pool Industry Research Center at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. NPC members have been using the recommended procedure for years.

To qualify for the class, a student must be a member in good standing of an industry organization such as Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) or the Independent Pool & Spa Service Association (IPSSA). Students must then demonstrate their proficiency with a test kit, and pass a 60-minute written exam. Certified technicians must renew their certification every three years by taking an updated version of the exam.

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NESPA – Northeast Spa & Pool Association

The Northeast Spa & Pool Association exists to create a professional climate in which to advance commercial activities, and to address the current and future needs of the pool and spa industry.

In the late 1950s, members of the swimming pool industry in the northeast section of the U.S. banded together to form Northeast Swimming Pool Association (NESPA) to address their collective needs. The organization has been continuously engaged in promoting and protecting its members and educating them and raising their levels of competency in all phases of business activity.

NESPA also serves as a source of product and safety information for the end consumer. For over forty years, NESPA has been affiliated with the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP). NESPA is also the owner and producer of the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show, one of the swimming pool industry’s largest events. (This event typically draws over 9,000 people to Atlantic City for four days of educational, business and social activities each year.)

NESPA’s other “trademark” activity is the Professional Training Institute, which began as Hands-On-Training Institute in 1984. PTI offers the industry’s broadest, most comprehensive training programs designed to upgrade professional skills in building, service, management and retail operations.

More information at www.nespapool.org.

NESPA - Northeast Spa & Pool Association