AqP New Applicant - 2026 Conference Attendee Option

Choose this course if you are a first-time applicant for AqP Designation, and you will be attending the 2026 International Aquatics and Water Safety Conference and Exposition in Colorado Springs, CO, February 16 - 19. Please read the requirements carefully before selecting this option!

Become a designated Aquatic Professional with the AqP Designation by the Association of Aquatic Professionals. The AqP Designation sets you apart and brings you into an exclusive network of professionals who have shown their commitment to aquatic education, certification and professional development and sets them apart from other aquatic professionals. 

AqP Requirements include: 

Prerequisites - Must be uploaded no later than February 27, 2026. 

• A minimum of 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time aquatic work experience
• Current pool operator certification
• Current Basic First Aid and CPR/AED certification 
• Current lifeguard instructor certification and/or swim instructor trainer certification
• Sign off on a safety-oriented, excellence-driven commitment statement

Degree or Equivalent Requirement - Must be uploaded by February 27, 2026.

AqP applicants must have a degree from an accredited College or University with at least 120 credit hours.   

If you have not earned a degree there is an additional CEU requirement based on any higher education credit hours you may have completed:

• If you have not earned a degree, you may substitute 1.0 CEUs or 2 years of full-time work experience for each of year of college as noted below: 

• If you have completed less than 30 hours of college credit, you must provide 4.0 additional CEUs (40 hours) or 8 years of full-time experience; 
• If you have completed 30 - 59 hours of college credit, you must provide your college transcript PLUS 3.0 additional CEUs (30 hours) or 6 years of full-time experience; 
• If you have completed 60 - 89 hours of college credit, you must provide your college transcript PLUS 2.0 additional CEUs (20 hours) or 4 years of full-time experience; 
• If you have completed at least 90 hours of college credit but did not receive a degree, you must provide your college transcript PLUS 1.0 additional CEUs (10 hours) or 2 years of full-time experience.

Continuing Education CEU's - Upload copies of your additional CEUs by February 27, 2026. If you need to complete additional CEUs at conference, please reach out to Kirsten at kirsten@aquaticpros.org. 

Earn these CEU credits from any recognized education source such as courses on Splash-EDU, conferences, seminars, workshops, and even relevant experience. You can go back five (5) years but cannot submit any education event or certification twice (including pre-requisites). Note that you can also use courses completed at the 2026 conference if needed!  However, be sure that you plan accordingly as your Core Courses (listed below) cannot be used for these additional CEUs.

• .2 CEU (2 hours) in Risk Management
• .2 CEU (2hours) in Programming and Staff Training
• .2 CEU (2 hours) in Drowning Prevention
• .2 CEU (2 hours) in Leadership/Executive Development
• .2 CEU (2 hours) in Diversity and Inclusion
• 1.5 CEU (15 hours) in a wide variety of elective categories

CORE Content - To be completed in person at the 2026 International Aquatics and Water Safety Conference and Exposition

Complete the five (5) core educational sessions by attending in-person at the AOAP conference. You will have two (2) options for each category to fit into your schedule. Upon receipt of your transcript at the end of the event, you will need to upload a copy of your transcript here no later than February 27, 2026.

• Risk Management
  • Lifeguard Placement & Zones - A Case Study - Tuesday at 4:15 pm OR
  • The Human Factor in Aquatic Risk Management - Wednesday at 3:45 pm
• Programming and Staff Training
  • Splash-Worthy Ideas: A Programming & Special Events Panel - Monday at 4:50 pm OR
  • Water Safety & Supervision: Empowering Camp Counselors & Childcare Workers for Safe Recreation Swim Time - Wednesday at 2:15 pm
• Drowning Prevention
  • Why Highly Trained Lifeguards Fail to Recognize Drowning Victims - Monday at 11:40 am OR
  • The Power of Partnerships: Collaborating Outside Your Aquatics Bubble - Thursday at 8:45 am
• Leadership/Executive Development
  • Use Your Head. Listen to Your Heart. Follow Your Gut - Tuesday at 9:30 am OR
  • Getting a Competitive Edge with Effective Grant Writing - Wednesday at 10:05 am
• Diversity and Inclusion
  • Swimming with Understanding: Lifeguarding & Instructing with Neurodivergence in Mind - Monday at 3:20 pm OR
  • Putting DEI into Action: Practical Tools for Aquatics Teams - Tuesday at 2:45 pm

Final Exam - Once you have completed all of the steps above, you'll be enrolled in the AqP Final Exam in this platform. You will need to complete the exam within six (6) weeks of being enrolled.

Pass a multiple-choice exam with a 75% or better. Questions evaluate your knowledge across the prerequisites and CORE categories.