Hire a licensed swimming-pool contractor

Hire a licensed swimming-pool contractor:

Nothing compares to a beautiful Florida summer! As Florida residents enjoy the season’s sunshine and warm weather, adding or restoring a swimming pool could splash into mind. Before hiring help, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) reminds you to hire a state-licensed contractor. DBPR is responsible for licensing and regulating contractors throughout Florida under the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Three of these licenses pertain to swimming pools: • Commercial Pool/ Spa Contractor • Residential Pool/Spa Contractor • Swimming Pool/ Spa Servicing Contractor For detailed descriptions of these licenses, visit our website at www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/ construction-industry.

DBPR encourages consumers to research contractors they are looking to hire before employing them. Ask for the contractor’s or the contractor company’s license number and verify that the license is valid and active online at www.myfloridalicense.com. When deciding whether your pool project requires a licensed professional, consider whether the job includes installing or taking apart equipment that is attached to the pool or used for cleaning or water treatment. Some services requiring a license include: • Repairing or replacing existing equipment • Cleaning or sanitizing that requires at least partially disassembling equipment • Filter changes • Installing new pool/spa equipment • Interior refinishing • Reinstalling or adding a pool heater • Repairing or replacing perimeter and filter piping • Repairing pool/spa equipment rooms or housing • Substantial or complete draining to repair or renovate residential pools, hot tubs and spas • Layout, structural, excavation, trim, decking, piping and finishing

Verify air-conditioning contractors through DBPR

The hottest part of the year is here, and it’s a good time to make sure your air-conditioning unit is ready for heavy use. DBPR licenses and regulates airconditioning contractors in Florida. A professional license is required to install a central air-conditioning unit or to clean air ducts requiring system disassembly.

Before hiring an air-conditioning contractor this summer, be sure to research candidates and verify their licenses. Verifying a license is easy – just have the license number, visit DBPR’s website and click on “Verify a License.” The search results will include only licensed companies or contractors. From there, make sure the license is current and active.

Consumers can also verify a license by calling the DBPR Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395 or downloading the free DBPR Mobile app from iTunes or Google Play.

Unfortunately, unlicensed activity does occur. If you come across an unlicensed pool or air-conditioning contractor, DBPR encourages you file a report through the Florida Caller Hotline at 866.532.1440 or on DBPR’s website.

Child labor laws: protecting working minors

Summer is here and school is out. Students are in search of summer jobs and Florida’s youth can be a crucial part of the state’s businesses and seasonal tourism industries. However, it’s important for companies and parents to know the Sunshine State’s labor laws and help protect working minors.
Ensuring minors’ safety and well-being in the workplace is a DBPR priority. The Child Labor Program enforces the child labor law – Chapter 450, Part I, Florida Statutes – which is designed to protect the health, education and welfare of Florida's minors in the workplace and to safeguard their education.
Employers who hire minors in Florida must display a child labor law poster in a conspicuous place. Those who violate Florida’s child labor laws may be fined up to $2,500 per offense and/or convicted of a second-degree misdemeanor.

For more information about Florida’s child labor laws or to file a complaint, call 800.226.2536 or 850.488.3131. Help us protect Florida’s most vulnerable citizens.

Child labor restricted by age, school year

There are state and federal laws governing the hours minors can work and the types of jobs they can perform. These hour limitations represent state and federal laws:

14- and 15-year-olds

When school is in session

May not work during school hours

May not work more than three hours per day

May work up to 15 hours per week

May not work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

May work eight hours on Friday, Saturday, and nonschool days, when school day does not follow, until 9 p.m.

When school is not in session: June 1 to Labor Day; summer, fall, winter and spring breaks

May work up to 8 hours per day

May work up to 40 hours per week

May not work before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

16- and 17-year-olds

When school is in session

May not work more than eight hours per day

May work up to 30 hours per week

May not work before 6:30 a.m. or after 11 p.m.

On days when school does not follow, there are no hour restrictions.

Breaks still apply.
When school is not in session: June 1 to Labor Day; summer, fall, winter and spring breaks

No hour restrictions

A 30-minute uninterrupted lunch break every four hours still applies.

Hazardous occupations still apply for minors.

May not work more than six consecutive days per week

If you need help getting your contractor's license, give us a call at 954-210-3030. We will help you through the licensing process.