SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY

Licensing Requirements 

Suffolk County New York requires all Pool Builders, Service Contractors and Maintenance Contractors doing business in that County to hold a special endorsement on their Home Improvement Contractor’s License in order to build, service or maintain swimming pools, spas and hot tubs.  
 

Licensing FAQs

Certification Programs

Need Your CEU Report? Reports can be downloaded by logging in to your website account.  Watch this quick step-by-step video or if you require help call 609.689.9111. 

Below are the requirements for each license.  

Pool Builder License

To build or install a swimming pool and/or permanent spa over 24" depth you need a County Home Improvement Contractor’s License, commonly called a County Business License.  You must provide the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs proof that you or someone from your company has obtained the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s (PHTA) CBP Certified Building Professional designation, Watershape University certification  or other approved equivalent program, and demonstrate a minimum of two years experience in building and installation.

Prerequisites to Earn the CBP Designation

• Complete one GENESIS® Construction School course:
  • C201: GENESIS® Construction School: Concrete Pools  (Now available online! view details here)
    OR
  • C260: GENESIS® Construction School: Vinyl Liner/Fiberglass Pools
• Pass the CBP Exam

View the PHTA website here for more details.

Courses and the exam are offered throughout the year and at The Pool & Spa Show.  

Service Contractor's License

To provide pool service in Suffolk County you need a County Home Improvement Contractor’s License, commonly called a County Business License for contractors who engage in the service of plumbing, heating and or electrical elements of swimming pools, permanent spas and/or portable spas.  You must provide the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs proof that you or someone from your company has obtained the Pool & Hot tub Alliance’s (PHTA) Certified Service Technician (CST), Certified Service Professional (CSP) or Certified Builder Professional (CBP) certification or other approved equivalent program, and demonstrate two years of experience and training in servicing pools and/or spas. 

Prerequisites to Apply for your CSP

• 5 years of industry experience
• Holds a current Certified Pool & Spa Service Technician® (CST) certification
• Pass the CSP Exam

Prerequisites to Apply

• 2 years of industry experience
• Successful completion of the Certified Service Technician® (CST) course
• Pass the CST Exam

View the PHTA website for more details. 

Pool Maintenance Business Registration

The County of Suffolk requires a registration for all those pool companies who provide or operate a pool maintenance business for residential swimming pools. You must provide the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs proof that you or someone from your company has obtained the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance's (PHTA) Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS) or other equivalent program.

Prerequisites to Apply (no industry experience required!)

• Successful completion of the Certified Maintenance Specialist® (CMS) course (for those candidates that practice in states that require the CMS for licensing, completion of the CMS course, in which case a candidate must still be able to document completion of 24 hours of continuing education (CEU) and pass the CMS exam.)
• Pass the CMS Exam

View the PHTA website for more information.