Florida Swimming Pool/Spa Layout Specialty Contractor's License
A “Swimming Pool Layout Specialty Contractor” means a swimming pool specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the layout, shaping, steel installation, and rough piping of pools, spas, and hot tub shells.
What are the Requirements to Become a Swimming Pool/Spa Layout Specialty Contractor?
Below are some of the requirements needed to become a licensed Swimming Pool Piping Contractor in the State of Florida:
Experience / Education
- 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 of 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.
- Four years experience in the swimming pool piping specialty trade.
Military Veterans
- 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.
Florida Swimming Pool/Spa Layout Specialty Contractor Exams
Florida Swimming Pool/Spa Layout Specialty Contractor Practical Examination
Practical Examination for Swimming Pool Layout Specialty Contractors. The practical examination for swimming pool layout specialty contractors shall evaluate, through the use of a grading sheet which includes spaces for grading and comments by the practical examiner, the following areas:
- 8% Accurately locating and staking out a base line or center line of the pool being built with reference to fixed objects shown on the layout plan.
- 8% Laying a pool out ready to be formed, including proper leveling techniques for the shell to plus or minus 1/4th inch and verifying the calculations that illustrate how the layout elevations will accommodate the coping or deck edge trim and how the finished deck elevation will meet existing finished elevations on the project such as existing patios, floors, and the surrounding landscape.
- 5% Verifying the calculations necessary to show that the pool layout, including decks and retaining walls will accommodate anticipated water runoff (drainage).
- 5% Understanding effective methods of managing ground water (dewatering).
- 8% Supervising an excavation according to the swimming pool plan(s) and/or specifications that insures that the walls and floor are shaped according to plans, and demonstrate the skills required to place backboard materials in the event of a cave in.
- 8% Properly placing and stabilizing forms.
- 8% Installing the piping and fittings required before installing the rough structure of a swimming pool, displaying proper solvent weld procedures.
- 15% Cutting and bending steel reinforcing bars, installing the structural steel in accordance with the pool plan, verifying that ties and overlaps are in accordance with code requirements, and showing that by proper blocking, the steel will have adequate and proper concrete coverage.
- 5% Maintaining the continuity of bond beam steel in cases where the beam is modified, including skimmer openings and step-ups in the beam such as raised beams and planters.
Swimming Pool/Spa Layout Specialty Contractor Written Examination
Requirements for all written Swimming Pool Specialty Contractor Examinations. Each examination must test the following areas:
- 15% Reading, understanding and interpreting scaled pool construction plans and surveys.
- 5% Understanding and complying with job-site safety requirements.
- 5% Handling and properly disposing of hazardous materials.
- 5% Recognizing the tools required to do the job and exhibit the ability to properly use those tools.
Test Providers for Swimming Pool/Spa Layout Exams in Florida
For all swimming pool articles you are required to take a practical examination. There is not a testing company specific to these trades. For a list of testing providers please visit Examiners for Swimming Pool Specialty Licenses.
If you are interested in servicing a pool or building a pool you must have one of the following license required in Florida:
