Connecticut Gets New Aboveground License

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The state of Connecticut has signed into law a new Aboveground Pool Assembler's License.  This new law prohibits a person from assembling an aboveground swimming pool unless such person holds a swimming pool assembler's license issued by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection.

The bill was passed in response to concerns raised by a municipal building inspector, who reported that he had seen numerous problems with aboveground pools being assembled by contractors with limited or no understanding of the National Electrical Code Article 680 as well as safety barrier requirements which was creating a hazardous situation for consumers in the state.

The license was developed to ensure that aboveground pool assemblers receive training in relevant codes and regulations and to ultimately protect the public.
“Because of CONSPA’s years of working with our state government, we learned of this proposed license early on and were able to raise several concerns with the original draft,” said Bob Russell, Connecticut Spa & Pool Association president. CONSPA is a chapter of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. “Our relationships with state legislators made it possible for us to protect our members and make sure that the law that ultimately passed would be good for our industry and help make consumers safer.”

Notes on the new law:
Those in the aboveground pool business will not be forced to meet the same licensing standards as those building municipal/ commercial pools.
The law includes an exemption from  the aboveground license exam as well as continuing education for SP1 (Limited Spa and Pool Contractors) and SPB (Swimming Pool Builder) license holders.  This legislative victory saves these license holders significant time and money that would be required to take prerequisite courses, exams and continuing education for the Aboveground Pool Assemblers License.

“This was a team effort by the volunteers of CONSPA and NESPA’s Government Relations Committee,” said Ray Rescildo, CONSPA Government Relations Committee Chair. “Hours upon hours were spent meeting with legislators and reviewing all aspects of the proposed law.  I’m thankful that over the years, CONSPA has developed such strong relationships with our legislators.  Without those connections, we would be dealing with a much different law which would have negatively impacted our industry.”

The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) will provide details on educational requirements needed to receive the Aboveground Pool Assembler’s License by or before April 1, 2016.  As part of these regulations, DCP will outline the requirements to be grandfathered into the license. This will allow those who meet identified training and experience requirements to receive the license without the initial exam. The grandfathering period will end January 1, 2017.

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