Florida Commercial Pool

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Florida Commercial Pool Contractor License

A Florida Commercial Pool and Spa contractor is a contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to, the construction, repair, and servicing of any swimming pool, or hot tub, or spa, whether public, private or otherwise, regardless of use. The scope of work includes the installation, repair, or replacement of existing equipment, any cleaning or equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling, excluding filter changes, and the installation of new pool/spa equipment, interior finishes, the installation of package pool heaters, the installation of all perimeter piping and filter piping, and the construction of equipment rooms or housing for pool/spa equipment, and also includes the scope of work of a swimming pool/spa servicing contractor. The scope of such work does not include direct connections to a sanitary sewer system or to potable water lines. The installation, construction, modification, or replacement of equipment permanently attached to and associated with the pool or spa for the purpose of water treatment or cleaning of the pool or spa requires licensure; however, the usage of such equipment for the purposes of water treatment or cleaning does not require licensure unless the usage involves construction, modification, or replacement of such equipment. Water treatment that does not require such equipment does not require a license. In addition, a license is not required for the cleaning of the pool or spa in a way that does not affect the structural integrity of the pool or spa or its associated equipment. If you are not interested in building commercial swimming pools or spas, this is not the right license for you. If you are only interested in building residential swimming pools and spas, then you should visit Florida Residential Pool/Spa Contractor License. If you are only interested in servicing and maintaining existing swimming pools and spas and are not interested in building them, then please visit Florida Service Pool/Spa Contractor License. If you would like to discuss the differences between the different pool licensing options in Florida, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our licensing consultants will be happy to assist you. If you are not interested in contracting and just want a specialty contractor’s license to do layout, structural, excavation, trim, decking, piping, or finishes, only as a sub, please visit Swimming Pool Specialties (Not for Contracting).

Licensing Requirements

Below are some of the requirements needed to become a licensed Commercial Pool & Spa Contractor in the State of Florida:

Age

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Examination

Must take and pass the state certification examinations (Commercial Pool & Spa Contractor and Business & Finance). Please note that the application process cannot be started until the exams are taken and passing scores are obtained.

Experience / Education

A person will qualify for a Commercial Pool & Spa Contractor’s license by meeting one of the following requirements:

Four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to three years’ experience) and one year proved experience applicable to the category for which you are applying.
One year of experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
One year of experience as a worker, one-year experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
Two years’ experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses.
Four years’ experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
Upgrade Method: A certified swimming pool servicing contractor holding an active current license for a minimum of 3 years in the classification in which he or she is certified. If you meet this eligibility requirement you are exempted from further experience requirements.

Military Veterans

A veteran will qualify for a certified license by meeting on of the following:

Three years of military service and one year experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
Two years of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and one year experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
One year of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and two years experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying

Applicants for the Certified Commercial Pool & Spa Contractor License must have experience in the following areas:

Excavation, Grading, Backfill, Compacting
Plumbing Components
Electrical Components
Shell Placement
Deck work
Tile, Coping, and Trim Work
Interior Surface Preparation and Finishing
Additional experience can be derived from the repair and servicing of:
- Excavation, Grading, Backfill, Compacting
- Plumbing Components
- Electrical Components
- Shell Placement
- Deck work
- Tile, Coping, and Trim Work
- Interior Surface Preparation and Finishing

Financial / Credit

Applicants will need to provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting personal credit reports. Credit reports must include a FICO derived credit score and indicate that local, state and federal records have been searched. Credit report containing a credit score (FICO derived) on the applicant from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency, which includes a public records statement that records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels. If the credit score is below 660 (FICO derived) applicant must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit. Note that Fifty percent (50%) of the bond or letter of credit requirement may be met by completion of a 14-hour financial responsibility course.

Fingerprints

An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process. (fingerprints cannot be older than 6 months old)

Insurance

Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by the Board rule ($100,000). Applicants are also required to obtain worker’s compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from worker’s compensation insurance. To download the different application forms related to the Residential Pool Contractor’s License, you may visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site.

Florida Commercial Pool & Spa Contractor Exams

Florida Residential Pool Contractors must pass two exams prior to obtaining their license. Do not sign up to take your exams until you obtain your books and begin studying!

Commercial Pool & Spa Contractor

This open-book test is composed of 85 questions covering the following subjects: Pre-Installation and Site Preparation; Pool and Spa Excavation; Plumbing Work; Electrical Work; Shell Placement; Deck Work; Tile, Coping and Trim Work; Accessory Work; Interior Surface Preparation and Finishing; Start-Up; Service and Maintenance; and Equipment.

Business and Finance Exam

This is a separate test that lasts 6.5 hours and contains 125 questions. Some of the subjects included in this test are: Establishing the Contracting Business, Managing Administrative Duties, Managing Trade Operations, Conducting Accounting Functions, Managing Human Resources, and complying with Government Regulations.

Commercial Pool Contractor: services include construction, repair, and services of any pool or hot tub/spa (public, private or otherwise) Construction, repair, and servicing of any swimming pool, or hot tub or spa, including the repair or replacement of existing equipment or the installation of new equipment as necessary; the layout, excavation, operation of construction pumps for dewatering purposes, steelwork, installation of light niches, construction of floors, guniting, fiberglassing, installation of tile and coping, installation of all perimeter and filter piping, installation of all filter equipment and chemical feeders of any type, plastering of the interior, construction of decks, construction of equipment rooms or housing for pool equipment, installation of package pool heaters; the scope of work of a swimming pool/spa servicing contractor (water treatment or cleaning of pool). Does NOT include direct connections to a sanitary sewer system or to potable water lines.

Residential Pool Contractor: services limited to residential construction, repair and servicing of pools, hot tubs or spas Construction, repair, and servicing of a residential swimming pool, or hot tub or spa, including the repair or replacement of existing equipment or the installation of new equipment as necessary; the layout, excavation, operation of construction pumps for dewatering purposes, steelwork, installation of light niches, construction of floors, guniting, fiberglassing, installation of tile and coping, installation of all perimeter and filter piping, installation of all filter equipment and chemical feeders of any type, plastering of the interior, construction of decks, installation of housing for pool equipment, installation of package pool heaters; the scope of work of a swimming pool/spa servicing contractor (water treatment or cleaning of pools). Does NOT include direct connections to a sanitary sewer system or to potable water lines.

Pool Servicing Contractor: services limited to servicing and repair of pool/hot tub/spa
Servicing and repair of pools/hot tubs/spas including piping and repairs, replacement and repair of existing equipment, or installation of new additional equipment. Work includes re-installation of tile and coping, repair and replacement of all piping, filter equipment, and chemical feeders of any type, re-plastering, reconstruction of decks, and re-installation or addition of pool heaters; installation, construction, modification, disassembly, or replacement of equipment permanently attached to and associated with the pool or spa for the purpose of water treatment or cleaning.

Upgrading a License

FS 489.111 (6) a. An active certified swimming pool servicing contractor is eligible to take the residential swimming pool contractors’ examination if he or she possesses a minimum of 3 years of proven experience in the classification in which he or she is certified.

b. An active certified swimming pool servicing contractor is eligible to take the swimming pool commercial contractors’ examination if he or she possesses a minimum of 4 years of proven experience in the classification in which he or she is certified.

c. An active certified residential swimming pool contractor is eligible to take the commercial swimming pool contractors’ examination if he or she possesses a minimum of 1 year of proven experience in the classification in which he or she is certified.

d. An applicant is eligible to take the swimming pool/spa servicing contractors’ examination if he or she has satisfactorily completed 60 hours of instruction in courses related to the scope of work covered by that license and approved by the Construction Industry Licensing Board by rule and has at least 1 year of proven experience related to the scope of work of such a contractor.

Licensing Requirements

Below are some of the requirements needed to become a licensed Residential Pool Contractor in the State of Florida:

Age