 |
||
|
|
Toll Free: 1 888 405-7849 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Proud Members of:
|
 |
Pool Contractor Info & F.A.Q.'s The Best Tools for Passing Your Florida State Contractors Exam
|
| A | Establishing the Contracting Business | 11% |
| B | Managing Administrative Duties | 26% |
| C | Managing Trade operations | 10% |
| D | Conducting Accounting Functions | 32% |
| E | Managing Human Resources | 6% |
| F | Complying with Federal Laws and Regulations | 15% |
Business & Finance Exam Reference Books
The following Exam Reference Books are required for this exam:
Florida Statutes Chapter -455, 2007
AIA 201
AIA 401
AIA 701
Builders Guide to Accounting
Contractors Manual
Code of Federal Regulations (OSHA) 1903
Code of Federal Regulations (OSHA) 1904
Code of Federal Regulations (OSHA) 1910
COMMERCIAL Pool Contractor Trade Knowledge Exam
The General Trade Knowledge portions of the examinations is an open book test, administered in one session over one day. (Wednesday) The session consists of 80 equally weighted multiple choice questions, with a minimum passing score of 70%
COMMERCIAL Pool Exam Content
The content of these examinations is proportioned from the following content areas:
| A | Pre-Installation and Site Preparation | 5% |
| B | Pool and Spa Excavation | 15% |
| C | Plumbing Work | 12.5% |
| D | Electrical Work | 5% |
| E | Shell Placement | 10% |
| F | Deck Work | 5% |
| G | Tile, Coping and Trim Work | 10% |
| H | Accessory Work | 10% |
| I | Interior Surface Preparation and Finishing | 5% |
| J | Start Up | 5% |
| K | Service and Maintenance | 10% |
| L | Equipment | 7.5% |
COMMERCIAL Pool Exam Reference Books
The following Exam Reference Books are required for this exam:
NSPI Standard for Permanently Installed Residential Spas
NSPI Standard for Public Spas
NSPI Standard for Public Swimming Pools
NSPI Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools
Building Estimator's Reference Book
Chapter 64E-9, Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places
Code of Federal Regulations, (OSHA)
Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Builders
Contractor Manual
Guide to Shotcrete
NFPA 70 - National, Electrical Code
Placing Reinforcing Bars
Certified Pool Spa Operators Handbook
ANSI/NSR 50 - 2007, Circulation System Components and Related Materials for Swimming Pools
Florida Building Code - Building
Day 2
RESIDENTIAL Pool Contractor Trade Knowledge Exam
The General Trade Knowledge portions of the examinations is an open book test, administered in one session over one day. (Wednesday) The session consists of 80 equally weighted multiple choice questions, with a minimum passing score of 70%
RESIDENTIAL Pool Exam Content
The content of these examinations is proportioned from the following content areas:
| A | Pre-Installation and Site Preparation | 7.5% |
| B | Pool and Spa Excavation | 15% |
| C | Plumbing Work | 12.5% |
| D | Electrical Work | 5% |
| E | Shell Placement | 10% |
| F | Deck Work | 5% |
| G | Tile, Coping and Trim Work | 10% |
| H | Accessory Work | 5% |
| I | Interior Surface Preparation and Finishing | 5% |
| J | Start Up | 5% |
| K | Service and Maintenance | 10% |
| L | Equipment | 7.5% |
COMMERCIAL Pool Exam Reference Books
The following Exam Reference Books are required for this exam:
NSPI Standard for Permanently Installed Residential Spas
NSPI Standard for Public Spas
NSPI Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools
Building Estimator's Reference Book
Code of Federal Regulations, (OSHA)
Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Builders
Contractor Manual
Guide to Shotcrete
NFPA 70 - National, Electrical Code
Placing Reinforcing Bars
Certified Pool Spa Operators Handbook
ANSI/NSR 50 - 2007, Circulation System Components and Related Materials for Swimming Pools
Florida Building Code - Building
Day 2
SERVICE Pool Contractor Trade Knowledge Exam
The General Trade Knowledge portions of the examinations is an open book test, administered in one session over one day. (Wednesday) The session consists of 120 equally weighted multiple choice questions, with a minimum passing score of 70%
SERVICE Pool Exam Content
The content of these examinations is proportioned from the following content areas:
| A | Plumbing Work | 10% |
| B | Deck Work | 10% |
| C | Tile, Coping and Trim Work | 10% |
| D | Accessory Work | 10% |
| E | Interior Surface Preparation and Finishing | 10% |
| F | Start Up | 10% |
| G | Service & Maintenance | 35% |
| H | Safety Procedures | 5% |
SERVICE Pool Exam Reference Books
The following Exam Reference Books are required for this exam:
NSPI Standard for Permanently Installed Residential Spas
NSPI Standard for Public Spas
NSPI Standard for Public Swimming Pools
NSPI Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools
Chapter 64E-9, Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places
Code of Federal Regulations, (OSHA)
Contractor Manual
NFPA 70 - National, Electrical Code
Certified Pool Spa Operators Handbook
ANSI/NSR 50 - 2007, Circulation System Components and Related Materials for Swimming Pools
Florida Building Code - Building
More information can also be found at the following links:
FL State Reference: Required Exam Reference Books
FL State Reference: Exam Candidate Brochure
FL State Reference: Content: Pool Exam
No. You are only required to retake sections which were not passed. However, a candidate must pass all sections within two years.
The content of the Florida State Contractors exam is in a continual state of change. Each and every examination has 20 new questions called “Pilot Questions”. The emphasis and content of the exam today is totally different than it was six months ago.
If we were using the antiquated method of publishing, printing and stocking workbooks for our students it would be almost impossible to keep up with these changes, and we would also be very reluctant to simply throw all this stock away as changes were made on the test.
This is one of the key reasons why we chose to develop computer-based-training. The ease of Updating Software is built into the dynamic nature of computer systems. This allows us to effortlessly modify our content on a continual basis and keep abreast of the State examination.
This guarantees the students using our "Learning Program" the highest probability of success and saves them from studying a barrage of unrelated subjects and outdated material.
You may register On-Line at "Professional Testing" by clicking this link:
-Florida POOL Contractors License-
You do not need to be a resident of Florida and your experience does not have to be in the State of Florida.
The following categories require registration or certification: General; Building; Residential; Sheet Metal; Roofing; Air-conditioning; Mechanical; Swimming pool/spa; Plumbing; Electrical; Underground Utility and Excavation; Solar; and Pollutant Storage. The following link describes the work which can be preformed in these various licensure categories.
Licensure Category Descriptions
A State “Certified” license can be used throughout the State of Florida. A County “Registered” license is issued by one specific County. Other Counties may, or may-not, issue reciprocity and allow you to do business in their jurisdiction. Since very similar requirements, testing, cost, and effort are needed to obtain either type of license, we only recommend pursuing State “Certified” licensure.
CP and RP - A "commercial pool/spa contractor" means 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, including the repair or replacement of existing equipment or the installation of new equipment, as necessary;
• the layout, excavation, operation of construction pumps for dewatering purposes, steelwork, installation of light niches, construction of floors, guniting, fiberglassing, installation of tile and coping, installation of all perimeter and filter piping, installation of all filter equipment and chemical feeders of any type, plastering of the interior, construction of decks, construction of equipment rooms or housing for pool equipment, and installation of package pool heaters; and
• includes the scope of work of a swimming pool/spa servicing 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 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 shall not require licensure unless the usage involves construction, modification, or replacement of such equipment.
CP and RP - A "residential pool/spa contractor" means a contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to:
• the construction, repair, and servicing of any residential swimming pool or hot tub or spa including the repair or replacement of existing equipment or the installation of new equipment, as necessary;
• the layout, excavation, operation of construction pumps for dewatering purposes, steelwork, installation of light niches, construction of floors, guniting, fiberglassing, installation of tile and coping, installation of all perimeter and filter piping, installation of all filter equipment and chemical feeders of any type, plastering of the interior, construction of decks, installation of housing for pool equipment, and installation of package pool heaters; and
• includes the scope of work of a swimming pool/spa servicing contractor.
•
A "residential 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 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 shall not require licensure unless the usage involves construction, modification, or replacement of such equipment.
CP and RP - A "swimming pool/spa servicing contractor" means a contractor whose scope of work involves the servicing and repair of any swimming pool or hot tub or spa. The scope of such work may include any necessary piping and repairs, replacement and repair of existing equipment, or installation of new additional equipment as necessary. The scope of such work includes:
• the reinstallation of tile and coping, repair and replacement of all piping, filter equipment, and chemical feeders of any type, replastering, reconstruction of decks, and reinstallation or addition of pool heaters;
• 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; and
• however, the usage of such equipment for the purposes of water treatment or cleaning shall not require licensure unless the usage involves construction, modification, substantial or complete disassembly, or replacement of such equipment.
More information can also be found at the following links:
-FL Statutes: 489.111
-FL Administrative Code: Chapter 61G4
-FL Department of Business & Professional Regulation FAQ's.
-FL Construction Industry Licensing Board website.
For answers to any specific questions, you are encouraged to call the "FL Construction Industry Licensing Board" at (850) 487-1395. This is the office of authority.
In completing your Initial Issuance of Licensure Package you must provide signed verification of your experience from a currently licensed, Florida Certified Contractor in the category for which you are applying, or in a category that allows him or her to perform or supervise the work which you are applying. For example, if you are applying to become a Pool Contractor, you can provide verification from another licensed Florida Certified Residential, Building, General or Pool Contractor. Your experience may also be verified by a Licensed Architect, Engineer or Building Official, from anywhere in the United States.
More information can also be found at the following link:
After passing the exam your scores are automatically forwarded to the State of Florida. You will however, need to submit a completed license application form to the "Department of Business and Professional Regulation". In our "Learning Program" we review specific criteria required so you will know how to fill in this application correctly. You may download this form from the following link:
Initial Issuance of Licensure Package
A credit report must also be submitted with your application and you may view a list of Credit Reporting Agencies accepted by the Florida Construction Industry Board from the following link:
Acceptable Credit Reporting Agencies
Most students who are not involved in active projects will elect to apply for and secure their license in an "Inactive" status. Then they have it. Prior to starting a project utilizing their license or applying for a permit, the contractor would purchase Liability Insurance and Worker's Compensation Insurance and then apply to "Activate" their license using the form at the following link:
Change of Status from Inactive to Active
More information can also be found at the following link:
-Hints for change of status application.
