Along with many of you, I spent the last week in January at The Pool & Spa Show in Atlantic City. It was once again a great Show and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with so many NESPA members.
Just as the Show was wrapping up on January 31st, we received word that Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey signed into law legislation that will create licensing requirements for both pool & spa builders and pool & spa service contractors working in the State.
Instead of having a license created without the input of the industry, NESPA made the decision to play an active role in the creation of the New Jersey pool license. We were able to apply the lessons learned from licenses required around our region to the development of the New Jersey license.
These licenses ensure that people building or servicing pools and spas possess at least basic knowledge and expertise on safe chemical handling and use, proper sanitation, safe design, and layers of protect against drowning. By establishing a minimum level of training required for a pool contractor to work with electricity in and around a pool as well as other equipment including heaters, pumps, drain covers and essential barriers to pool entry - this license will markedly increase safety for everyone who works or plays around a pool or spa.
Under this new law Pool & Spa Builders/Installers and Pool & Spa Service Companies will be required to hold industry certifications in order to be licensed. The full details of the law can be found in the overview provided in this newsletter and on the NESPA website.
NESPA continues to advocate on behalf of the industry for a fair and successful implementation of this law. With an effective date of July 30th, there are still several steps that need to be put in place including the development of the regulations that will govern the process for application, renewal and enforcement.
If you have any questions regarding how the New Jersey license will impact your business, contact our staff for assistance at 609.689.9111. They can walk you through what is required and talk you through your training options.
Barry Kenny, NESPA President
Bel-Aqua Pool Supply