Category: Construction Related

Certified irrigation specialty applicants may use their experience in irrigation system construction to qualify for licensure, but are required to pass the state certified irrigation specialty contractors’ examination.  The first state irrigation specialty examination will be administered April 16th and 17th, 2013. For more information on scheduling to take the state examination please visit the Department’s Bureau of Education and Testing website or call 850.488.5952.

61G4-15.035 Certification of Irrigation Specialty Contractors.

(1) The purpose of this rule is to provide for the voluntary certification of irrigation specialty contractors.

(2) Definition. An irrigation specialty contractor is a contractor whose contracting business consists of the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, manage, monitor, audit, or, if not prohibited by law, design irrigation systems. An irrigation specialty contractor may install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, manage, monitor, audit, or, if not prohibited by law, design irrigation systems, including any excavation work incidental thereto. An irrigation system includes all: piping; fittings; sprinklers; drip irrigation products; valves; irrigation controllers; control wiring; rain sensors; water pumps; water conservation devices; water harvesting systems; irrigation main lines downstream of a utility potable water meter or utility alternative water supply distribution line and dedicated backflow prevention device; and associated components installed for the delivery and application of water for the purpose of irrigation. Nothing in this rule shall be deemed to restrict or limit in any manner the scope of work authorized by law of other contractor classifications.

(3) Certification Procedures and Fees. Certification procedures and fees for Irrigation Specialty Contractors shall be the same as those provided for the certification of other contractors as set forth in Sections 489.109, 489.111, 489.113, 489.114, 489.115 and 489.116, F.S., and related rules.

(4) Irrigation systems used for agricultural purposes shall not be included within the scope of this rule.

Rulemaking Authority 455.213, 489.108 FS. Law Implemented 489.105(3)(q), 489.113(6), 489.115, 489.116, 489.117, 489.118 FS. History–New 2-13-13.

The Construction Industry Licensing Board has developed a new specialty license for the repair and servicing of residential swimming pools, hot tubs or spas. The scope of work permitted to be performed by a residential pool/spa servicing specialty contractor can be found in Rule 61G4-15.040, Florida Administrative Code.

EPA has extended the training expiration date for many certified renovators. This was done so if the proposed changes of January 2015 are finalized, many more renovators will be able to take advantage of those changes. Affected expiration dates are based on when the previous course was taken (see table below).

Note: The extensions do not apply to firm certifications.

Renovator Training Expiration Information
Date course completed	Expiration
On or before March 31, 2010	March 31, 2016
From April 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011	6 years from the date of course completion
On or after April 1, 2011	No extension provided – Expiration is 5 years from the date of course completion

Renovator certification is typically for 5 years from the date of course completion. However, in 2009, EPA extended the 5-year certification of renovators who took an EPA accredited renovator training before April 22, 2010 until July 1, 2015. The extension ensured that renovators who received training early, before the regulations work practice standards were effective, weren’t penalized for doing so. Renovators seeking re-certification who complete a 4-hour refresher training before the expiration of their current certification are certified for a period of five years from the date they complete the refresher course, not from the date of expiration of their previous certification. Renovators will have to take the 8-hour course if they fail to take the refresher training before the expiration of their current certificate.

New License…

The Construction Industry Licensing Board has developed a new specialty license for the repair and servicing of residential swimming pools, hot tubs or spas. The scope of work permitted to be performed by a residential pool/spa servicing specialty contractor can be found in Rule 61G4-15.040, Florida Administrative Code.

Previously, most contractors providing such services were required to obtain a certified pool/spa servicing contractor’s license under s. 489.105(3)(l), F.S., which required experience in servicing and repair of both residential and commercial pools. Many contractors who specialized in the repair and servicing of only residential pools, spas and hot tubes were unable to obtain licensure or were required to obtain local competency cards in each local jurisdiction. The CILB developed the certified residential pool/spa servicing specialty contractor category to permit licensure of these contractors on a state wide basis.

All Swimming Pool Categories (Commercial, Residential, and Service), Solar and Irrigation Trade Knowledge examinations are projected to move to computer based testing (CBT) starting March 2014!

This has been something I’ve been asking for. Before a pool contractor could only test 3 out of the 6 exams given each year. Meaning if they failed the exam they had to wait 4 months to retake the test, everyone else only had to wait 2 months.

Now these contractors can schedule when, and where (20 location around Florida) they want to test. Person Vue also has many out of state computer centers as well. This is a big break through in testing for these exams! Good LUCK!

For the FULL Rule Click Here

(1) Scope of Rule. The scope of this rule is to provide for the voluntary certification of swimming pool specialty contractors.

(a) Swimming pool specialty contractors may only perform the services within the scope of work defined for that particular category swimming pool specialty contractor.

(b) Swimming pool specialty contractors must work under contract, under the supervision, and within the scope of work of a contractor licensed pursuant to Sections 489.105(3)(j)-(l), F.S.

(c) Each category of swimming pool specialty contractor contained in this rule constitutes a separate license and obtaining licensure in all swimming pool specialty contractor categories shall not entitle a person to licensure as a contractor as defined in Sections 489.105(3)(j)-(l), F.S.

(2) Definition.

(a) A “Swimming Pool Layout Specialty Contractor” means a swimming pool specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the layout, shaping, steel installation, and rough piping of pools, spas, and hot tub shells.

(b) A “Swimming Pool Structural Specialty Contractor” means a swimming pool specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the shaping and shooting of gunite, shotcrete, concrete, or similar product mix used in the construction of swimming pools and spas. This scope of work includes the installation of fiberglass shells and vinyl liners.

(c) A “Swimming Pool Excavation Specialty Contractor” means a swimming pool specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the excavation and earthmoving required for the installation of pools, spas, and hot tub shells.

(d) A “Swimming Pool Trim Specialty Contractor” means a swimming pool specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the installation of tile and coping for pools, spas, and hot tub shells. Decorative or interactive water displays or areas that use recirculated water, including waterfalls and spray nozzles, are also included in this rule within this scope of work.

(e) A “Swimming Pool Decking Specialty Contractor” means a swimming pool specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the construction and installation of concrete flatwork, pavers and bricks, retaining walls, and footings associated with the construction of pools, spas, and hot tub shells.

(f) A “Swimming Pool Piping Specialty Contractor” means a swimming pool specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the installation of piping or the installation of circulating, filtering, disinfecting, controlling, or monitoring equipment and devices used in the construction of pools, spas, hot tubs, and decorative or interactive water displays or areas.

(g) A “Swimming Pool Finishes Specialty Contractor” means a swimming pool specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the coating or plastering of the interior surfaces of pools, spas, or hot tub shells.