Florida Residential Pool Contractor
A Florida Residential Pool Contractor means a contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to, the construction, repair, and servicing of a residential swimming pool, or hot tub or spa, 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. 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 would like to build commercial swimming pools please visit Florida Commercial Pool and Spa Contractor's 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.
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 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 Residential Pool 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.
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 worker's 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 Residential Pool Contractor’s License, you may visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site.
Florida Residential Pool 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 for them!
Residential Pool Exam
This open-book test is composed 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 that 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 Residential Pool & Spa Contractor Classes
You can take Residential 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 Residential Pool & Spa Contractor Exam Problems. The Residential Pool/Spa Contractor Classes prepare you for the trade and business exams. Florida Residential Pool Contractor Testing Schedule. You must pass all exams before applying for the Residential Pool Contractor’s License in Florida. To sign up for the Florida Residential Pool Contractor classes, simply click on the "enroll" button below and checkout; this will allow you to receive immediate access to the Florida Residential 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 Residential Pool Contractor exams needed to get the Residential 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 Residential Pool Contractor Exams click on the link within the course description below.
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Login credentials emailed upon enrollment
Unlimited access (no time limits)
Lecture videos
Practice questions
Key concepts
Step-by-step solutions to math problems
In-person review
classes$699.00$699.00 -
Login credentials emailed upon enrollment
Unlimited access (no time limits)
Lecture videos
Practice questions
Key concepts
Step-by-step solutions to math problems
In-person review
classes$399.00$399.00
Florida Residential Pool Contractor Books
The set of books includes all required references for both the Residential 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.
FLORIDA RESIDENTIAL POOL - BOOK SET WITHOUT TABS INCLUDES ALL BOOKS FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS EXAMS
FLORIDA RESIDENTIAL POOL - BOOK SET WITH TABS INCLUDES ALL BOOKS FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS EXAMS
List of Books for the Residential Pool Contractor Trade Exams
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ANSI NSPI-3 Standard for Permanently Installe...Standard for Permanently Installed Residentia
$120.74$120.74 -
This standard applies to permanently-installe...Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Po
$120.15$120.15 -
The Building Estimator's Reference Book is an...Walker's Building Estimator's Reference Book
$129.07$129.07 -
OSHA (CFR 29 Part 1926) is the leading safety...CFR (OSHA) Title 29 Part 1926
$23.07$23.07 -
This book contains a comprehensive coverage t...Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Eng
$53.06$53.06 -
Guide to Shotcrete provides information on ma...Guide to Shotcrete – ACI 506R
$120.41$120.41 -
The 2017 National Electrical Code is used as ...NFPA 70 National Electrical Code
$128.17$128.17 -
Placing Reinforcing Bars covers all aspects o...Placing Reinforcing Bars
$94.59$94.59 -
Pool & Spa Operator's Handbook is the book us...Pool & Spa Operator Handbook
$101.89$101.89 -
NSF 50 (2020) Equipment for Swimming Pools an...Equipment for Swimming Pools Spas Hot Tubs an
$208.97$208.97 -
Florida Building Code 2020 edition is the pri...Florida Building Code - Building
$165.70$165.70
Starting July 1st, 2021 the 2020 code books will be used for contractor Licensing. Until then we will still be using the 2017 edition.
List of Books for the Business and Finance Exam
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The Florida Contractor's Manual is used as on...Florida Contractor's Manual
$150.66$150.66 -
Chapter 455 of the Florida Statutes (Business...Florida Statutes Chapter 455
$20.00$20.00 -
The A201 is published by the AIA and establis...A201 General Conditions of the Contract for C
$77.01$77.01 -
Please beware of companies selling photocopie...A401 Standard Form of Agreement between Contr
$77.01$77.01 -
Please beware of companies selling photocopie...A701, Instructions for Bidders
$53.67$53.67 -
Builder's Guide to Accounting, is used for th...Builder's Guide to Accounting
$35.93$35.93