Making the AqP Process Simple: A Guide to Becoming an Aquatic Professional
- Juliene Hefter
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
What is the AqP Designation?
The AqP (Aquatic Professional) designation, awarded by the Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP), is a verified recognition for professionals in the aquatic management field. This designation demonstrates that you have the required experience, certifications, education, and ongoing professional development to be recognized nationally for your qualifications.
The AqP was created to highlight the dedication of aquatic professionals to continuous education and industry certifications. It also helps employers easily identify and recruit top candidates for aquatic management positions.
How to Get Started
If you’re interested in earning your AqP designation, the first step is to create an account on LearnUpon and ensure you meet the prerequisites:
Be an active AOAP member (and maintain your membership throughout the designation period).
Have at least 2 years of full-time (or 4 years of part-time) aquatic work experience.
Hold a current pool operator certification.
Hold a current Lifeguard Instructor and/or Swim Instructor Trainer certification*.
Have current CPR/AED and First Aid certifications.
Commit to a safety-oriented, excellence-driven approach.
What Comes Next?
Once you've met the prerequisites for the AqP designation, you can choose your path to completion. Visit the Aquatic Professional Designation page on the AOAP website and select whether you'd prefer to upload your own CEUs (Continuing Education Units) or complete your CEUs through LearnUpon online. If you need to complete required elective CEUs or lack a current instructor certification, the online option is ideal.
Your initial AqP CEUs can come from any recognized educational source—courses on LearnUpon, conferences, seminars, workshops, or relevant work experience. You can backdate up to 5 years for your initial designation, but each education event or certification can only be submitted once.
Core Educational Requirements
To complete your AqP designation, you’ll need to take 5 core educational sessions in the following categories:
Risk Management
Programming and Staff Training
Drowning Prevention
Leadership/Executive Development
Diversity and Inclusion
These core sessions are available in person at the AOAP conference or online via LearnUpon.
Additionally, you must fulfill these CEU requirements:
0.2 CEU in Risk Management
0.2 CEU in Programming and Staff Training
0.2 CEU in Drowning Prevention
0.2 CEU in Leadership/Executive Development
0.2 CEU in Diversity and Inclusion
1.5 CEU in Elective Categories
If you have a degree from an accredited college or university (at least 120 credit hours), you’ve already met the CEU requirements. If you don’t have a degree, your additional CEU requirements will be based on your completed higher education credit hours:
4.0 additional elective CEUs if you have 0-59 credit hours
2.0 additional elective CEUs if you have 60-119 credit hours
Once you've signed in to your SPLASH EDU account, you'll be ready to purchase your path to completion.
Uploading Your CEUs
The LearnUpon platform is user-friendly, allowing you to upload your prerequisites, additional CEUs, and degree (or equivalent) documentation. When you choose the option to upload your own CEUs, you'll also gain access to the 5 CORE sessions online. After uploading all required documents, your submission will be reviewed. Following approval, you’ll need to take the AqP exam.
The AqP exam is a comprehensive, 100-question test covering all prerequisite and core categories. You’ll need a score of 75% or higher to pass.
Other Ways to Earn Your AqP Designation
You can earn your AqP through one of two alternative paths:
Conference Attendee Option – Attend all 5 core sessions at the AOAP conference and take the exam on the final day (prerequisites and additional CEUs still apply).
Director School – Attend all three years of Director School, which also grants you an Aquatic Management certification from the Starfish Aquatics Institute.
Renewing Your AqP Designation
Once you’ve earned your AqP designation, it is valid for 2 years. To renew, log into your LearnUpon account, register as a renewal applicant, and upload your renewal documentation.
To renew your AqP, you'll need to meet the following requirements:
Maintain your current AqP designation and meet all the prerequisites from your initial application.
Complete the core content in each of these categories:
Risk Management
Programming and Staff Training
Drowning Prevention
Leadership/Executive Development
Diversity and Inclusion
Complete continuing education CEUs (you can submit CEUs from the last 2 years, but no event or certification can be submitted twice):
0.2 CEU in Risk Management
0.2 CEU in Programming and Staff Training
0.2 CEU in Drowning Prevention
0.2 CEU in Leadership/Executive Development
0.2 CEU in Diversity and Inclusion
Pass the multiple-choice AqP final exam with a score of 75% or higher.
Why the AqP Designation Matters
The Aquatic Professional (AqP) Designation sets you apart in the field of aquatic management. It showcases your experience, education, and certifications, marking you as a qualified, dedicated professional in the aquatic industry.