FSPA readies licensing bill

Pool & Spa News, June 18, 2004 by Bob Dumas

A bill that would require those who perform pool cleaning and routine maintenance to have service contractor's licenses is ready to be presented to the Florida Legislature.

Florida Swimming Pool Association officials, who spearheaded the proposed legislation along with the Florida Health Department, said the bill is still in search of legislative sponsors, but that that step is just a formality.

"You have to pick a house sponsor and a senate sponsor, and we haven't picked a specific one yet," said John Schwartz, FSPA executive director. "We have many to choose from. We even have several folks in the pool industry who are in the legislature."

Once the sponsors are lined up, Schwartz expects the bill to be in committee by this autumn and to be made into law sometime after the first of the year.

Under current law, those who only clean pools do not need contractor's licenses. However, those who do more technical work, such as repairing pool equipment, are required to have one.

FSPA officials say a trend began several years ago in which pool cleaners were being asked by pool owners to perform repairs and that's not something they're licensed to do.

"Historically, [pool cleaning jobs] required a contractor's license in Florida," Schwartz said. "But at some point in the last five years, it was removed." The new law will reinstate the requirement.

If the proposed law is passed, those wishing to get licenses will first receive temporary ones, valid for a year. Potential technicians will then use that period to go through 60 hours of FSPA-sponsored classes and apply to take the test to obtain their licenses.

Schwartz said the classes will put an emphasis on safety, including the new NSPI standards on suction entrapment.

"We've been getting strong support from the health department," Schwartz said. "They see the greatest problem with people who are untrained. Even though they have them take a CPO class, there is still a real lack of foundation education."

He added that the bill, which he believes will "help professionalize the industry," should be in committee by September before moving on to the house. Schwartz said he didn't foresee significant opposition.