AALSO Certification Program

AALSO offers a multi-level operator competency acknowledgment program based on test scores received from exams administered by designated program managers. Levels one or two are awarded to any zoo or aquarium life support operator with relevant experience who successfully passes the respective exam covering set recognition criteria for that level. It acknowledges general operator proficiency with routine operator tasks pertaining to standard duties and covers such topics as: sand filtration, biological filtration, chemical filtration, USDA regulations, cathodic protection, turbidity, safety, pump curves / trouble shooting, pool volume calculations, filter surface area calculations, and pool turnover rate calculations. AALSO believes that it is appropriate to develop recognition criteria that call for a proficiency program that is on-the-job training based, and encourages Zoo and Aquarium institutions to incorporate this training into their operator development program.