How to Check a Florida Pool Contractor License
Before you hire anyone to resurface or repair your pool, it’s worth taking five minutes to check a Florida pool contractor license. Florida licenses pool contractors through the state, and the lookup is free and public. This guide walks through how to do it, how to read what you find, and what else to confirm before you sign.
Why it’s worth checking
Pool resurfacing is licensed work in Florida. A licensed contractor has met the state’s requirements, is expected to carry insurance, and can pull permits where they’re required. If something goes wrong, you have recourse through the state that you may not have with an unlicensed operator. Florida also operates a recovery fund that may help homeowners in some situations involving licensed contractors; it isn’t available when the work was done by someone unlicensed.
Checking also protects you from a simpler problem: a company that sounds established but is using someone else’s license number, or a license that has lapsed.
What kind of license to look for
Florida law defines three pool license types: commercial pool/spa contractor, residential pool/spa contractor, and swimming pool/spa servicing contractor. For resurfacing a home pool, any of these may be relevant depending on the scope of the job, and the contractor should be able to tell you which license they hold and why it covers your project.
You may also see licenses described as certified or registered. A certified license is valid statewide. A registered license is tied to specific local jurisdictions, so a registered contractor should be able to confirm they’re allowed to work in your city or county.
How to look up a license
- Get the license number. Florida requires contractors to include their license number in advertising, so it should be on their website, truck, business card or quote. If a contractor won’t give it to you, treat that as your answer.
- Go to myfloridalicense.com. This is the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s official site. Choose the option to verify a license.
- Search by license number if you have it. Searching by number is the most reliable. You can also search by the contractor’s name or company name.
- Open the license details. Don’t stop at the search results list; click through to the full record.
How to read what you find
- Status. You want to see the license shown as current and active. Anything else, such as expired, inactive, suspended or revoked, means stop and ask questions.
- License type. Confirm it’s a pool/spa license, not an unrelated trade.
- Name. The license belongs to a person, and a company operates under that person’s license. Check that the company name on your quote is connected to the licensed individual shown. If the names don’t match up, ask the contractor to explain.
- Expiration date. Make sure it won’t lapse partway through your job.
- Complaints or discipline. Where the record shows these, read them. One old issue isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker; a pattern is worth taking seriously.
What else to confirm before you sign
- Insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance showing current liability coverage, and ask about workers’ compensation coverage for the crew.
- A written contract. It should describe the scope of work, the finish product and color, who handles draining and startup, the payment schedule, and the warranty.
- Permits. Whether a permit is needed depends on your building department and the scope of work. A licensed contractor should know the requirements where you live and should pull any permit that’s needed.
- A reasonable payment schedule. Be cautious of anyone who wants most of the money before any work begins.
Red flags
- No license number on their advertising, or reluctance to give one
- A license number that belongs to a different person or company
- Suggestions to skip the permit to save time or money
- Cash-only payment, or pressure to decide on the spot
- No written contract, or a vague one-line quote
Common questions
Can a handyman or general pool service company resurface my pool?
Routine cleaning and water care don’t require a contractor license, but resurfacing does fall within licensed pool contracting work in Florida. Whoever does it should hold an appropriate pool/spa license. If you’re unsure, ask them which license covers it and look it up.
The company name isn’t in the search results. Is that a problem?
Not necessarily. Searches often work better by license number or by the licensed individual’s name. Ask the company for the license number and the name of the license holder, then search again.
Should I check subcontractors too?
It’s reasonable to ask who will actually do the work. The contractor you sign with is responsible for the job, but knowing whether crews are in-house or subcontracted helps you understand who you’ll be dealing with.
Does a license guarantee good work?
No. It confirms the contractor meets the state’s requirements and gives you recourse, but it doesn’t guarantee workmanship. Combine the license check with a clear contract and good questions about the job. Our pool resurfacing overview covers how to read a quote, and our finish pages for plaster, quartz and pebble each include contractor questions specific to that finish.
We connect homeowners with licensed local pool contractors on the Treasure Coast. Tell us about your pool, and we’ll put you in touch with a contractor you can check using the steps above.