InterNACHI Pool & Spa Inspector study plan

Map the full inspection scope for pools and spas: define the boundary between what an inspector observes and reports versus what a licensed contractor repairs, and list the systems covered (basin and shell, circulation, filtration, heating, sanitizing, electrical, safety barriers, deck and equipment area).

Label a hand-drawn cross-section of a typical pool and spa with the following terms and state the function of each: skimmer, main drain, return inlet, overflow/equalizer line, surge tank, gutter, weir, float valve, and anti-vortex drain cover.

Explain how water moves from the pool through the skimmer and main drain to the pump, filter, heater, and back to the returns, and identify where an air leak versus a water leak would show up along that path.

Distinguish the three basic pool types (gunite/plaster, vinyl-liner, fiberglass) and record the inspection implications of each for shell cracks, liner wrinkles, gelcoat blistering, and surface staining.

Identify common circulation and filtration components by appearance and describe their inspection points: centrifugal pump, hair-and-lint strainer, sand filter, cartridge filter, diatomaceous earth filter, multiport valve, check valve, and flow meter.

Describe how to observe and report filter pressure readings, backwash indicators, air in the pump basket, and noisy or cavitating pumps without disassembling equipment.

Explain the purpose and inspection of skimmer weirs, baskets, equalizer lines, and main drain covers, including why a missing or broken anti-entrapment drain cover is a reportable safety hazard.

Calculate a basic pool volume and turnover time for a rectangular pool and state why turnover rate matters for water clarity and sanitizer demand.

Describe the water chemistry parameters an inspector may observe or record: free chlorine, combined chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, and total dissolved solids, including a typical acceptable range for each.

Explain the cause-and-effect chain between low pH, low calcium hardness, and plaster etching, and between high pH, high hardness, and scale formation.

Recognize visible water and surface clues of chemistry problems: cloudy water, algae, staining, scaling, corrosion of handrails and ladders, and deteriorated grout.

State the limits of an inspector's role in water chemistry: report observations and recommend testing or treatment by the owner or a qualified pool service professional rather than prescribing chemical doses.

Describe the operation and inspection of sanitizing systems: chlorine feeders, salt chlorine generators, bromine feeders, ozone and UV systems, and their visible indicators of failure.

Explain the inspection points for pool and spa heaters, including gas-fired heaters, heat pumps, and solar heating: venting, combustion air, gas piping and shutoff, relief valves, and signs of soot, corrosion, or leaking.

Identify the safety hazards associated with gas heaters and spas and state how to report them as requiring evaluation by a licensed professional.

Summarize the main bonding and grounding requirements for pool equipment and metal components at a conceptual level, including equipotential bonding of the shell, deck, ladders, and equipment.

Explain the purpose of ground-fault circuit protection for pool and spa equipment and lighting, and describe how to observe and report missing, damaged, or improperly covered electrical components.

Identify the requirements for underwater luminaires, junction boxes, and cord seals at a conceptual level and list what an inspector should never do (open fixtures, test energized circuits, or enter water to inspect a light).

Describe the safety barrier requirements for residential pools and spas: fencing, gates, self-closing and self-latching hardware, alarms, and safety covers, and explain how to test a gate latch.

Recognize entrapment hazards and the role of anti-entrapment drain covers, safety vacuum release systems, and dual-drain configurations.

Inspect the pool deck and surrounding hardscape for trip hazards, settlement, cracking, drainage toward the pool, and separation from the coping, and describe how to report each condition.

Evaluate the equipment pad and enclosure for access, ventilation, clearance, drainage, and weather protection, and note where vegetation, standing water, or debris create maintenance or safety concerns.

Describe the spa-specific components to inspect: spa shell, jets, air blower, heater, control panel, cover and lift, and the spillover or shared-equipment arrangement with the pool.

Explain the inspection considerations for ancillary features such as slides, diving boards, water features, and automatic covers, including when to recommend specialist evaluation.

Practice report writing that separates observed conditions from recommendations and avoids language implying repair, code compliance certification, or a warranty.

Review the ethical and scope boundaries of a pool and spa inspection, including what to do when access to equipment, water, or the spa interior is limited, and how to disclose those limitations.

Rehearse a client walkthrough conversation that explains findings in plain language and sets expectations about further evaluation by licensed contractors.

Identify the most commonly missed defects in pool and spa inspections and build a personal reminder list to counter them.

Consolidate the entire course into a single review outline covering circulation, filtration, heating, sanitizing, chemistry, electrical, barriers, entrapment, deck, and spa specifics.

Self-test on at least 60 recall items drawn from your own notes, and re-study any area scoring below 80 percent.

Walk through two complete hypothetical inspections end to end, narrating each system in order and stating what you would observe and report.

Finalize a field-ready inspection checklist and a study summary you can reference on the job.