logo
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
June 30, 2022
No licensing requirements under SB 222

Effective July 1, 2022, Florida’s pool and spa contractors can hire any pool and spa subcontractor regardless of that subcontractor’s state or local licensing status.

The law allows pool contractors to hire unlicensed subcontractors for any residential or commercial pool or spa construction project.

The new swimming pool subcontractor exemption is similar to the so called “Jim Walters exemption” which has allowed Florida General Contractors to hire unlicensed subcontractors on residential projects for more than a decade.

Prior to the passage of the bill, all workers on swimming pool and spa job sites in Florida either had to be a W2 employee of the swimming pool and spa contractor or a separately licensed subcontractor. This licensing requirement for swimming pool subcontractors led to a severe shortage of subcontracting labor in the Florida swimming pool and spa industry. According to the Florida Swimming Pool Association, FSPA, currently there is only one licensed subcontractor for every 11 CPC/RP swimming pool and spa contractors in the state. SB 222’s purpose was to help alleviate this disparity and give all Florida swimming pool and spa contractors the ability to hire the best subcontracting labor available and to better serve their customers.

SB 222 does not eliminate the Specialty Swimming Pool and Spa Subcontracting licenses or allow swimming subcontractors to work directly with consumers.All unlicensed swimming pool and spa subcontractors must be working under the supervision of a fully licensed CPC or RP swimming pool and spa contractor.

The signing of SB 222 by Gov. Ron DeSantis is a big win for FSPA and the Florida swimming pool and spa industry. The exemption granted by SB 222 will give pool and spa contractors access to more subcontracting labor and create many more jobs in the industry. SB 222 is also the first major amendment to Section 489 of Florida Statues in nearly 30 years and was passed through the Florida State Legislature without any amendments or “NAY” votes during the process. The passage of SB 222 and companion bill HB 265 is the result of a lot of hard work during the 2022 Florida Legislative session that should be recognized.

The FSPA Board of Directors and members supported and advocated for SB 222 and have worked on this issue for years. FSPA Board members Mike Canto, Tony Arredondo, T.J. Wood, Ryan Roby, and Deidre Bedford traveled to Tallahassee to testify in support of this bill. Bill sponsors Senator Joe Gruters and Representative Lawrence McClure made this issue a top priority and made sure it moved early and fast through the legislative process. FSPA’s lobbying firm, Converge Public Strategies, worked tirelessly on this issue from every angle and helped FSPA set the stage for victory this year.

SB 222 was passed by the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate on March 7, 2022, and on May 6, SB 222 was signed into law by Gov. DeSantis.

LATEST NEWS
Homes with pools raise price and sell speed
News
Homes with pools raise price and sell speed
Demand for houses with swimming pools remains strong in warm weather states
June 30, 2025
By Marcelle Dibrell As summer begins to heat up, so does the U.S. housing market — though not evenly across the board. Buyers and sellers are navigati...
this is a test
News
Final summer survey results tallied
June 30, 2025
Each year, Service Industry News takes the pulse of the pool and spa service sector through our comprehensive survey, and in this final installment of...
this is a test
during the pandemic peak. This ….
News
during the pandemic peak. This ….
June 30, 2025
during the pandemic peak. This has resulted in a widening gap between buyers and sellers. According to Redfin, there are approximately 1.9 million sel...
this is a test
News
Chem exposure sends 5 to hospital
June 30, 2025
Several patrons at a residential community swimming pool in Apache Junction, Arizona, were sent to the hospital following a hazardous materials incide...
this is a test
News
New Jersey city pool workers arrested
June 30, 2025
A group of municipal pool workers in New Jersey has been arrested for allegedly stealing chemicals from the Secaucus town pool to support their privat...
this is a test
Gators swim to escape heat wave
News
Gators swim to escape heat wave
June 30, 2025
As summer heats up across the South, pool technicians are being reminded that it’s not just algae or cloudy water that can cause a service delay. Some...
this is a test
Read Our Newsletter
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Free Subscription
View Current Print Ads
Educational Announcements
Aquatic Training Institute

Educational Leverage

Foundation For Pool Industry Education

Locey Pool

Pool Chemistry Training Institute

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

Portofino University

Underwater Pool Masters
Trade Show Dates
  • The International Pool Spa Patio Expo
    Nov. 12-14, Dallas, Texas
  • The Pool and Spa Show
    Jan. 28-30, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • 35th Annual National Plasterers Conference
    Feb. 26-28, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
  • The Southwest Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 4-8, Houston, Texas
  • The Western Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 6-8, Long Beach, California
Books to Order
About Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy
We use cookies to ensure that our website gives you the best experience possible. By continuing to use this website, you agree to this use of cookies.OK