61G4-16.0021. Written Examination for Swimming Pool Specialty Contractors

(1) The examination for licensure for any category of swimming pool specialty contractor as specified in Rule 61G4-15.032, F.A.C., shall consist of a written examination or a practical examination. The written examination shall test the applicant’s ability to perform the scope of work for the category of swimming pool specialty contractor for which the applicant applied.

(2) Requirements for all written Swimming Pool Specialty Contractor Examinations. Each examination must test the following areas:

(a) 15% Reading, understanding and interpreting scaled pool construction plans and surveys.

(b) 5% Understanding and complying with job-site safety requirements.

(c) 5% Handling and properly disposing of hazardous materials.

(d) 5% Recognizing the tools required to do the job and exhibit the ability to properly use those tools.

(3) Additional test areas for each category of swimming pool specialty contractor examination are as follows:

(a) Swimming Pool Layout Specialty Contractors. The examination for swimming pool layout specialty contractors shall evaluate the following areas:

1. 8% Accurate location of a base line or center line of the pool with reference to fixed objects shown on the layout plan.

2. 8% Lay out of pool, including proper leveling techniques for the shell to plus or minus 1/4th inch and verifying the calculations to accommodate the coping or deck edge trim, finished deck elevation and existing patios, floors, and landscape.

3. 5% Verifying lay out calculations to accommodate anticipated water runoff (drainage).

4. 5% Understanding effective methods of managing ground water (dewatering).

5. 8% Understanding excavation in accordance with plans and specifications and back up methods in the event of a cave in.

6. 8% Placing and stabilizing forms.

7. 8% Piping, fittings and proper solvent weld procedures.

8. 15% Understanding the installation of structural steel in accordance with the plan and code requirements.

9. 5% Modification of bond beam steel.

(b) Swimming Pool Structural Specialty Contractor. The examination for swimming pool structural specialty contractors shall evaluate the following areas:

1. 10% Use of guide wires or piano wire.

2. 5% Proper use of concrete pump and air compressor for installation of pneumatically applied concrete.

3. 10% Inspection of forms, wall fittings, drains, light niches, steel placement.

4. 10% The properties of concrete, including slump and the use of samples.

5. 15% Proper use of gunite or shotcrete placement on pool walls and floors, including finishing techniques.

6. 10% Knowledge of dimensional requirements for features such as steps and benches.

7. 10% The ability to read and understand manufacturer’s installation instructions for fiberglass and/or vinyl liner pool structures.

(c) Examination for Swimming Pool Excavation Specialty Contractor. The examination for swimming pool excavation specialty contractor shall evaluate the following areas:

1. 5% Site preparation.

2. 10% Effective methods of managing ground water (dewatering).

3. 10% Operation of excavation machines.

4. 20% Angle of repose and shoring requirements.

5. 10% Understanding of different soil conditions.

6. 5% Proper placement of excavated materials.

7. 10% Backfill and compact of fill material.

(d) Examination for Swimming Pool Trim Specialty Contractor. The examination for swimming pool trim specialty contractors shall evaluate the following areas:

1. 5% Preparation and use of “brown coat” or “parge” mix.

2. 15% Methods of setting a vertical waterline tile job with horizontal alignment of plus or minus 1/8 inch.

3. 10% Proper installation procedures for tile and water features per manufacturer’s instructions, including step edge tile.

4. 15% Leveling the top of the beam(s) to plus or minus 1/8 inch.

5. 10% Use of bullnose brick as the pool coping, including miter joints in the coping.

6. 5% Custom grout color.

7. 5% Proper cleaning of tile and coping to remove masonry stains.

8. 5% Understand effective methods of managing ground water (dewatering).

(e) Examination for Swimming Pool Decking Specialty Contractor. The examination for swimming pool decking specialty contractors shall evaluate the following areas:

1. 5% Operation of an under-pool dewatering system.

2. 5% Layout of deck, including verification of angles and deck dimensions.

3. 5% Calculations to accommodate anticipated water runoff (drainage) and installation of a deck drainage system.

4. 5% Understanding of backfill and compaction procedures for sub-deck materials.

5. 5% Understanding of the properties of concrete and calculation of the amount of concrete required for the job.

6. 5% Understanding proper elevation and pitch requirements to insure proper drainage.

7. 5% Understanding accurate angles and locate pin points.

8. 5% Understanding reinforcement requirements for concrete.

9. 10% Proper placement and finishing procedures for concrete.

10. 5% Understanding of thermal expansion and contraction of concrete and methods to accommodate it.

11. 5% Removal and disposition of concrete forms and forming materials.

12. 5% Setting anchors, ladders, and handrails.

13. 5% Pressurized piping procedures and maintenance.

(f) Examination for Swimming Pool Piping Specialty Contractor. The examination for swimming pool piping specialty contractors shall evaluate the following areas:

1. 10% Swimming pool piping plan.

2. 15% Proper handling and solvent welding of PVC.

3. 10% Understanding of the different applications for different solvent weld cements.

4. 10% Proper testing and pressurization procedures for pool piping systems.

5. 25% Proper installation procedures for pool piping, circulation, sanitation, filtration, hydraulics and venting and related equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

(g) Examination for Swimming Pool Finishes Specialty Contractor. The practical examination for swimming pool finishes specialty contractors shall evaluate the following areas:

1. 10% Operation of under-pool dewatering systems.

2. 10% Proper shell preparation.

3. 5% Installing and repairing step or underwater bench trim tile.

4. 15% Plaster mixtures, including admixtures.

5. 20% Proper application of finish to a swimming pool structure.

6. 10% Demonstrate an understanding of application and filling procedures per manufacturer’s instructions to insure a clean smooth finish and a watertight condition.

(4) The score necessary to achieve a passing grade on any swimming pool specialty contractors examination shall be no less than seventy (70) percent out of one hundred (100) percent of the total possible points on the examination.

Rulemaking Authority 455.217(1), 489.113(6), 489.115(5) FS. Law Implemented 455.217(1), 489.113(6), 489.115(5) FS. History–New 3-21-06, Amended 9-10-08, 4-26-12, 4-8-15.