A Commercial Pool/Spa contractor is a contractor whose work involves but is not limited to the construction, repair, and service of any swimming pool, hot tub, or spa. This includes the repair and replacement of existing equipment or the installing of new equipment as necessary.
Under this license the contractor is licensed to do the layout work, the excavation, the operation of construction pumps for dewatering purposes, the steelwork, the installation of light niches, the construction of floors, guniting, fiberglassing, the installation of tile and coping, the installation of all perimeter and filter piping, the installation of all filter equipment and chemical feeders of any type, the plastering of the interior, the construction of decks, the construction of equipment rooms or housing for pool equipment, and the installation of packaged pool heaters. Plus a Commercial Pool/Spa contractor includes the scope of work for a Swimming Pool/Spa Service contractor.
A Commercial Pool/Spa contractor cannot perform direct connections to a sanitary sewer system or to potable water lines. The installation, construction, modification, or replacement of equipment permanently attached to or associated with the pool or spa for water treatment or cleaning of the pool or spa requires a license but the use of such equipment for the purposes of water treatment or cleaning does not require licensure unless the usage involves the construction, modification, or replacement of such equipment. Water treatment not requiring such equipment will not require a license. Also, a license will not be required for the cleaning of the pool or spa in any way that does not affect the structural integrity of the pool or spa or its associated equipment.
To apply, contact State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1-850-487-1395.
If applying for initial licensure from May 1st of an Even numbered year through August 31st of an Odd numbered year the fee is $249.
If applying for initial licensure from September 1st of an Odd numbered year through April 30th of an Even numbered year the fee is $149.
You must pay a fee of $56.25 to Promissor/Pearson VUE for the processing of your electronic fingerprints. Candidates will receive an unofficial grade report on the day they pass the exam. However, test scores and license approval do not become official until ratified by the Contractors Licensing Board at their next meeting. Licenses are typically received within 14 days of the exam.
Important Contacts
Florida has no reciprocal agreements with any states at this time.
As of this time Florida requires 14 hours of board approved continuing education each biennium prior to the renewal period for both certified and registered contractors.
At least 1 hour must deal with workplace safety, 1 hour must be on the subject of worker’s compensation, 1 hour must cover the subject of business practices, 1 hour must cover the subject of laws and rules, 1 hour must cover wind mitigation methodologies, and 1 hour must cover the Florida Building Code advanced modules.
All parts of the examination:
Pay $135.00 examination development fee payable to PTI, $80.00 examination administration fee payable to DBPR, but mailed to PTI. An $80.00 examination administration fee payable to Pearson Vue (formerly Promissor), the CBT (Computer Based Testing) contracted vendor, is due at the time of scheduling.
Both the Trade exam and the Business exam are Computer-Based!
- A score of at least 70% is required to pass the exams.
- The exam is 2 days, open book, multiple-choice, and timed.
- There are 2 parts to the exam, the business finance part and trade knowledge. The time limit for each exam portion is 4 hours and 45 minutes.
- Exams are held 3 times per year in February, June, and October. Test locations are in Orlando, Tallahassee, and Miami.
- You must complete all portions of the examination within 4 years of the first attempt. After four years, all previous test scores become invalid and you will be required to take all parts of the examination again.
- The Florida Commercial Pool general trade knowledge exam portion has 80 questions, weighted equally, and is held during the morning of the 2nd day.
- The Florida Business and Finance exam has a morning session of 60 equally weighted questions and an afternoon session of 60 equally weighted questions.
- Applicants must submit an application and exam fee to become registered to take the exam. The testing company must receive completed applications and appropriate fees no later than 30 days prior to the next scheduled exam date.
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Topics covered on the trade knowledge exam portion are pre-installation and site preparation, pool and spa excavation, plumbing work, electrical work, shell placement, deck work, tile, coping, trim work, accessory work, interior surface preparation and finishing, start up, service and maintenance, and equipment.
- To schedule your exam you must contact Professional Testing, Inc (PTI) at 1-407-264-0562.
American Contractors offers a 5 day seminar to prepare for the Florida Commercial Pool and Spa Contractor license exam and includes preparation for the Business and Finance exam. Please contact us for additional information, 1-800-992-1910.
