New Texas Licensing Regulations

Recently the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation decided to start cracking down on un-licensed pool service companies that were doing installs of pumps, motors, outlets, and so on. The thing is the pool companies had never been given any options or guidance on what they were supposed to have as far as licensing. We (our company included) had asked questions about required licensing but always been told to start a pool business all you needed was an assumed business name purchased at the county level.

Things have changed now, TDLR worked with pool industry leaders and lobbyists and came up with a plan. Now people who work on pool equipment (attaching any wiring) would be required to obtain the existing Electrical Appliance Contractor License by March 1, 2010.

While may pool companies look at this as just more government regulation and a way for Texas to earn extra fees each year...we look at it as a positive for our industry. An improvement over the quality of service technician that's out there. It improves the industry overall. Our company has obtained the license. This was not an easy task as the exam that technicians need to take is extremely difficult, as difficult as a journeyman's electrical license other than the 4,000 hours of apprenticeship that the electrician needs.

What is the benefit to the client? This is the important part I think, the client benefits because the licensed companies must prove to TDLR every year that they carry at least $600,000 in liability insurance. We carry 1 million. Also licensed pool companies will have to be listed with TDLR and that gives clients an opportunity and a place to check for complaints and compliance when choosing a pool service. Any service vehicles you see out there should now be labeled with the License number of that technician. All of these things improve the quality of work that is being performed at the homes of pool owners across Texas.

Bottom line, more government regulation is always a drag but the industry will be better and more sophisticated for it. This should eliminate the "working for beer money" weekend pool repair guy who may be out there doing repairs he's not qualified to do. Keep in mind anyone can clean your pool, it's the wiring and repair or install work that is being regulated and that technician must now carry a license.

Texas Oasis Pools
9720 Coit Rd. Ste 220146
Plano, TX 75025
214-532-7971
Fax: 214-407-8044
http://www.texasoasispools.com/