Pool Service Contractor

Name: Florida Contractor - Information for the Construction Industry
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Florida Pool Service Contractor License

A Florida Swimming Pool and Spa Service Contractor is a contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to, the repair and servicing of a swimming pool, or hot tub, or spa, whether public or private or otherwise, regardless of use. The scope of work includes the 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 refinishing, the reinstallation, or addition of pool heaters, the repair or replacement of all perimeter piping and filter piping, the repair of equipment rooms or housing for pool/spa equipment, and the substantial or complete draining of a swimming pool, or hot tub or spa, for the purpose of repair or renovation. The scope of such work does not include direct connections to a sanitary sewer system or to potable water lines. The installation, construction, modification, substantial or complete disassembly, 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, substantial or complete disassembly, 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 a contractor wishes to build swimming pools, then the appropriate license to obtain would be either the Florida Residential Pool and Spa Contractor’s License, or the Florida Commercial Pool and Spa Contractor’s License, depending on the intended use of the swimming pools being built.

Licensing Requirements

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

Age

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Examination

Must take and pass the state certification examinations (Service Pool 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 Certified Pool Service 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 proven experience applicable to the category for which you are applying.
One year experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
One year 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.
Completed 60 hours of instruction in courses related to the scope of work covered by the license and approved by the Board and has a minimum of 1 year proven experience related to the scope of work of such a contractor. See Rule 61G4-15.001(5).

Military Veterans

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

Three years of military service and one year of 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 Pool Service Contractor License must have experience in areas of:

Pool Heaters
Pool Deck Repair
Tile, Coping, and Trim Work
Plumbing Equipment (Pumps, Piping, Fittings, Gauges, Pressure Testing, Valves)
Maintenance and Repair of Pool Shells (Leak Detection and Testing, Crack Repair)

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 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 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.

Insurance

Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by Board rule. Applicants are also required to obtain workers compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from worker’s compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license.To download the different application forms related to the Pool Service Contractor’s License, you may visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site.

Florida Pool Service Contractor Exams

Florida Pool Service 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 for them!

Pool Service Exam

This open-book test consists of 65 questions and it covers the following subjects: Plumbing Work; Deck Work; Tile, Coping and Trim Work; Accessory Work; Interior Surface Preparation and Finishing; Start-Up; Service and Maintenance; and Safety Procedures.

Business and Finance Exam

This is a separate test that lasts 3.5 hours and contains 60 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.