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 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 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 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.
• Upgrade Method: A certified swimming pool servicing contractor holding an active current license for a minimum of 4 years or a residential swimming pool contractor holding an active current license for a minimum of 1 year 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 commercial installation of the following pool components:

• 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 Commercial Repair/Servicing and Residential Installation in the areas of:
  • Excavation, Grading, Backfill, Compacting
  • Plumbing Components
  • Electrical Components
  • Deck Work
  • Tile, Coping, and Trim Work
  • Shell Placement
  • 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 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 Commercial Pool & Spa Contractor’s License, you may visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site.

Florida Commercial Pool & Spa Contractor Exams

Florida Commercial Pool & Spa 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!

Commercial Pool & Spa Exam

This open-book test consists of 80 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 which lasts 6.5 hours, and contains 120 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.

Florida Commercial Pool Contractor Classes

You can take Commercial Pool Contractor Classes in Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Miami, or Online. You can sign up for your classes at any time and receive access to lecture videos, practice questions, tabbing and highlighting instructions, as well as to step-by-step explanations on how to solve typical Commercial Pool Contractor Exam Problems. Let us help you prepare for the Commercial Pool Exams in Florida. Let us do what we do best for you, so you can get back to building swimming pools for your customers. The faster you pass the exams, the faster you can apply and get your license. Do not delay your licensing process by trying to study on your own. All our books are in stock and we have classes you can start taking the same day you sign up! The Commercial Pool Contractor Classes prepare you for the trade and business exams. Florida Commercial Pool Contractor Testing Schedule. You must pass all exams before applying for the Commercial Pool Contractor’s License in Florida. To sign up for the Florida Commercial Swimming Pool Contractor classes, simply click on the "enroll" button below and checkout; this will allow you to receive immediate access to the Florida Commercial Pool Contractor Classes online, and will also enable you to attend in-person Exam Prep classes. All students have access to both online and in-person classes for an unlimited amount of time (until passing all the Florida Commercial Pool Contractor exams needed to get the Commercial Swimming Pool license!). The in-person classes are not mandatory and can be taken at the student's discretion. For a list of upcoming classes for the Florida Commercial Pool Contractor Exams click on the link within the course description below.

Florida Commercial Pool Contractor Books

The set of books includes all required references for both the Commercial Pool and Business and Finance exams. Orders placed before 2 PM are shipped the same day via UPS and a tracking number is emailed before 3 PM.

List of Books for the Commercial Pool Contractor Trade Exams

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  ANSI/APSP/ICC-3 Standard for Permanently Installed Residential Spas

  ANSI NSPI-3 Standard for Permanently Installed Residential Spas is a reference book used for the Pool Contractor Exam in Florida.

  $108.02

  $108.02

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  ANSI/APSP/ICC-2 Standard for Public Spas

  The ANSI NSPI-2 Standard for Public Spas is a perfect source for information on the design, for licensing purposes in commercial swimming pool and spa licensing exams.

  $108.02

  $108.02

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  ANSI/APSP/ICC-1 Standard for Public Swimming Pools

  ANSI NSPI-1 Standard for Public Swimming Pools is an vital reference book for the Florida Pool Contractor exam.

  $108.02

  $108.02

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools

  This standard applies to permanently-installed residential in-ground swimming pools intended for non-commercial use as a swimming pool by not more than three owner families and their guests and exceeding 24 inches in water depth.

  $108.02

  $108.02

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  Walker's Building Estimator's Reference Book

  The Building Estimator's Reference Book is an important reference used for estimating and as a reference for contractor exams.

  $96.00

  $96.00

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64E-9 Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places

  Chapter 64E-9 Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places is an important reference for the general public and any participant involved in the operation or life cycle of a non-private swimming pool.

  $9.91

  $9.91

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  CFR (OSHA) Tile 29 Part 1926

  OSHA (CFR 29 Part 1926) is the leading safety reference in the construction industry covering all aspects of construction.

  $36.04

  $36.04

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Builders

  This book contains a comprehensive coverage to materials, design, and procedures involved in masonry construction.

  $50.22

  $50.22

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  Guide to Shotcrete – ACI 506R

  Guide to Shotcrete provides information on materials and properties of both dry-mix and wet-mix shotcrete, covering most facets of the shotcrete application process.

  $104.94

  $104.94

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code

  The 2014 National Electrical Code is used as a reference in electrical contractor exams.

  $99.36

  $99.36

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  Placing Reinforcing Bars

  Placing Reinforcing Bars covers all aspects of concrete reinforcement.

  $73.14

  $73.14

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  Pool & Spa Operator Handbook

  Pool & Spa Operator's Handbook is the book used to study for the CPO exam certification, as well as for the Pool Contractor licensing exams in Florida. This book covers pool water chemistry and pool service in great detail.

  $71.94

  $71.94

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  NSF 50 Equipment for Swimming Pools Spas Hot Tubs and other Recreational Water Facilities

  NSF 50 (2015) Equipment for Swimming Pools and other Recreational Water Facilities is vital for contractors taking a swimming pool contractor test in Florida.

  $200.40

  $200.40

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  Florida Building Code - Building

  Florida Building Code 2017 edition is the primary source for building code compliance in Florida.

  $137.59

  $137.59

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:

List of Books for the Business and Finance Exam

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  Florida Contractor's Manual 2017 Edition

  The Florida Contractor's Manual is used as one of the references for the Business and Finance exam.

  $124.80

  $124.80

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  Florida Statutes Chapter 455

  Chapter 455 of the Florida Statutes (Business and Professional Regulation: General Provisions) contains regulation directly impacting the licensing process of contractors in the State of Florida.

  $12.19

  $12.19

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  A201 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction

  The A201 is published by the AIA and establishes the general conditions of the contract for construction.

  $67.10

  $67.10

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
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  A401 Standard Form of Agreement between Contractor Subcontractor

  Please beware of companies selling photocopies of AIA documents. You will not be allowed to use photocopies during testing. If you suspect a company of engaging in this illegal practice, please email [removed]

  $67.10

  $67.10

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  A701, Instructions for Bidders

  Please beware of companies selling photocopies of AIA documents. You will not be allowed to use photocopies during testing. If you suspect a company of engaging in this illegal practice, please email [removed]

  $46.18

  $46.18

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 No (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity:
• 

  Builder's Guide to Accounting

  Builder's Guide to Accounting, is used for the Business and Finance contractor exam in Florida.

  $26.53

  $26.53

  Tabs:

  Yes +$10.00 no (No additional charge) Tabs only, no book ($10.00)

  Quantity: