Pool Service & Leak Detection Industry Resource
Do I Need a License to Detect a Pool Leak or Clean a Pool?
Here’s Where to Find Out in Your State.
A 50-State Resource Directory for Residential Pool Service & Leak Detection Professionals
⚠ Important — Please Read This First
This page is a resource directory only. It is not legal advice. It does not tell you whether or not you need a license. It lists the governing agencies responsible for contractor and pool service licensing in each state, along with the code section title to look up in your state’s official legal database. Nothing more.
Leak Business Academy is not a law firm. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. Before making any compliance decisions, contact the agency listed for your state, contact your local county and municipality, and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
All contact information in this directory should be independently verified. Agency websites, phone numbers, and code references may change. Always go directly to your state’s official .gov website to confirm current information.
Why Pool Service Professionals Are Asking This Question
If you run a pool leak detection company, a pool cleaning business, or you’re thinking about starting one — this question has almost certainly crossed your mind:
“Do I need a license just to find a leak or clean a pool? And is the answer the same in every state?”
It’s one of the most common questions in the pool service industry — and one of the least clearly answered. Licensing requirements for pool service work vary significantly from state to state. In many states, the rules that apply to construction and repair work are different from the rules that may or may not apply to diagnostic services like leak detection or routine maintenance like pool cleaning. In some states, licensing is handled entirely at the local county or city level, not at the state level at all.
The only right answer is to go directly to the source: your state’s governing agency. That is exactly what this directory helps you do.
What This Directory Gives You
For every U.S. state: the name of the governing agency responsible for contractor and pool service licensing, the official government website, a phone number, and the title of the relevant code section to look up in your state’s official legal database. It also reminds you to check with your local county and municipality — because local requirements exist in every state, independent of state law.
How to Use This Directory
Using this directory correctly takes about 15 minutes per state. Here is what to do:
| Step 1 | Find your state in the table below. |
| Step 2 | Write down the agency name, official website, and phone number. |
| Step 3 | Go directly to the official .gov website listed. Do not rely on third-party sites or this directory alone — go to the government source directly. |
| Step 4 | Look up the code section title listed in your state’s official legal database. Most states offer free public access through their legislature’s website. |
| Step 5 | Call or email the agency and ask specifically about your type of work — pool leak detection only, pool cleaning only, or both. Ask in writing if possible and keep a record of the response. |
| Step 6 | Contact your local county building department or licensing office and ask the same question. State law and local law are separate. Both may apply to your business. |
| Step 7 | If you have any doubt about what you learn, consult a licensed attorney in your state who handles contractor licensing or business law before you begin operations. |
⚠ Do Not Skip This: Check Local Jurisdictions in Every State
State licensing laws are not the only laws that apply to your business. In virtually every state, counties, cities, and municipalities have the legal authority to impose their own registration, permit, bonding, or certification requirements — separate from and in addition to state law.
Even after you research your state’s requirements, you must also contact your county building department, your city or municipality’s licensing office, and any special districts in your service area. The table below covers state-level agencies only. Local research is your responsibility.
All 50 States — Pool Service Licensing Research Directory
Use the table below as your starting point for researching pool service licensing requirements in your state. Contact the agency listed, look up the code section referenced, and verify all information directly with the official government source. The table is scrollable on mobile devices.
Contact Information Disclaimer: All agency names, websites, phone numbers, and code section references in this table were researched and compiled in March 2026. Contact information changes. Before calling or visiting any link in this table, verify it is current by searching the agency name on your state’s official government website. Leak Business Academy assumes no responsibility for outdated contact information.
| State | Governing Agency (contact to research licensing requirements) |
Official Website | Phone Number | Code Section Title to Research (look up in your state’s official legal database) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (ALBGC) Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB) |
genconbd.alabama.gov hblb.alabama.gov |
(334) 272-5030 (ALBGC) (334) 242-2230 (HBLB) |
Ala. Code §34-8-1 et seq. (General Contractors) Ala. Code §34-14A-1 et seq. (Home Builders) |
| Alaska | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing — Contractor Registration | commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl | (907) 465-2550 | AS §08.18 (Contractors Registration Act) |
| Arizona | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) | roc.az.gov | (602) 542-1525 | A.R.S. §32-1101 et seq. Ariz. Admin. Code R4-9-103 |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board — Dept. of Labor & Licensing | labor.arkansas.gov/contractors | (501) 372-4661 | Ark. Code Ann. §17-25-101 et seq. |
| California | California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) Relevant classifications: C-53 (Swimming Pool) and C-61/D-35 (Pool & Spa Maintenance) |
cslb.ca.gov | (800) 321-2752 | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §7000 et seq. CSLB Classifications C-53 & C-61/D-35 |
| Colorado | Colorado Dept. of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Note: Contractor licensing is primarily local in Colorado. Contact your city or county. |
dora.colorado.gov | (303) 894-7855 | C.R.S. §12-150-101 et seq. Local municipal codes |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Dept. of Consumer Protection — Occupational & Professional Licensing Division | portal.ct.gov/dcp | (860) 713-6135 | C.G.S. §20-417 et seq. (Home Improvement Act) C.G.S. §20-330 et seq. (Swimming Pool Contractor Licensing) |
| Delaware | Delaware Dept. of Labor — Division of Industrial Affairs — Office of Contractor Registration | dol.delaware.gov | (302) 761-8200 | 24 Del. C. §1801 et seq. |
| Florida | Florida Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) |
myfloridalicense.com | (850) 487-1395 | Fla. Stat. §489.101 et seq. Fla. Stat. §489.105(3)(j)-(l) Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G4 |
| Georgia | Georgia Secretary of State — State Licensing Board for Residential & General Contractors | sos.ga.gov | (478) 207-2440 | O.C.G.A. §43-41-1 et seq. |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs — Contractors License Board | cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/contractor | (808) 586-3000 | HRS §444-1 et seq. HAR §16-77-1 et seq. |
| Idaho | Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses — Contractors Board | dopl.idaho.gov/con | (208) 334-3233 | Idaho Code §54-1901 et seq. |
| Illinois | Illinois has no single statewide pool service licensing board. Contact your local city or county building/licensing department. Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (general reference) |
idfpr.illinois.gov | (312) 814-4500 | Local municipal codes govern contractor licensing in Illinois. 225 ILCS 335/1 et seq. (for general reference) |
| Indiana | Indiana Professional Licensing Agency Note: Contractor licensing in Indiana is primarily local. Contact your city or county. |
in.gov/pla | (317) 234-3009 | Ind. Code §25-1-2-1 et seq. Local county & municipal codes |
| Iowa | Iowa Division of Labor — Contractor Registration | iowadivisionoflabor.gov | (515) 725-5617 | Iowa Code §91C.1 et seq. |
| Kansas | Kansas has no single statewide contractor licensing board for this work. Contact your local city or county government directly. |
kssos.org (Secretary of State) | (785) 296-4564 | K.S.A. §12-1527 (local licensing authority) Local municipal codes apply |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Dept. of Housing, Buildings & Construction | dhbc.ky.gov | (502) 573-0373 | KRS §198B.010 et seq. |
| Louisiana | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) | lslbc.louisiana.gov | (225) 765-2301 | La. R.S. §37:2150 et seq. |
| Maine | Maine Office of Professional & Occupational Regulation Note: Licensing is largely delegated to municipalities in Maine. Contact your local jurisdiction. |
maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing | (207) 624-8520 | 32 M.R.S. §14301 et seq. (Home Improvement Contractor Registration) Local municipal codes apply |
| Maryland | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) | dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic | (410) 230-6309 | Md. Code, Bus. Reg. Art. §8-301 et seq. |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation — Home Improvement Contractor Program Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) |
mass.gov/hic | (617) 973-8700 | G.L. c. 142A (Home Improvement Contractor Law) G.L. c. 142 (Plumbers & Gas Fitters) |
| Michigan | Michigan Dept. of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes | michigan.gov/lara | (517) 241-9288 | MCL §339.2401 et seq. (Residential Builder & Maintenance/Alteration Contractor Act) |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Dept. of Labor & Industry — Construction Codes & Licensing | dli.mn.gov/business/contractor-licensing | (651) 284-5065 | Minn. Stat. §326B.801 et seq. |
| Mississippi | Mississippi State Board of Contractors | msboc.us | (601) 354-6161 | Miss. Code Ann. §31-3-1 et seq. |
| Missouri | Missouri has no single statewide pool service licensing board. Licensing is largely local. Contact your city or county. Major cities: St. Louis Building Division | Kansas City Planning & Development |
pr.mo.gov (general reference) | (573) 751-0293 | R.S.Mo. §327.272 et seq. Local municipal codes govern contractor licensing |
| Montana | Montana Dept. of Labor & Industry — Business Standards Division | bsd.dli.mt.gov | (406) 444-7734 | Mont. Code Ann. §37-71-101 et seq. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Dept. of Labor — Contractor Registration | dol.nebraska.gov | (402) 471-2239 | Neb. Rev. Stat. §48-2701 et seq. |
| Nevada | Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) | nscb.nv.gov | (775) 688-1141 | NRS §624.010 et seq. NRS §624.020 (contractor definition) |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure & Certification (OPLC) | oplc.nh.gov | (603) 271-2219 | RSA 310-A:190 et seq. (Home Improvement Contractors) |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Home Improvement Contractor Registration Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) for service certifications |
njconsumeraffairs.gov phta.org |
(973) 504-6200 (NJ DCA) (703) 838-0083 (PHTA) |
N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et seq. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16 et seq. |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Dept. — Construction Industries Division | rld.nm.gov/construction | (505) 476-4700 | NMSA 1978 §60-13-1 et seq. |
| New York | New York State has no single statewide pool service license. NYC: NYC Dept. of Consumer & Worker Protection Upstate: Contact your local county or city government |
nyc.gov/dca (NYC) dos.ny.gov (statewide) |
(212) 436-0441 (NYC) (518) 474-4429 (DOS) |
Gen. Bus. Law §770 et seq. (Home Improvement Contracts) NYC Admin. Code §20-385 et seq. |
| North Carolina | NC Licensing Board for General Contractors | nclbgc.org | (919) 571-4183 | N.C.G.S. §87-21 et seq. 21 NCAC 12.0101 et seq. |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing ND Dept. of Labor & Human Rights |
sos.nd.gov nd.gov/labor |
(701) 328-4284 | N.D.C.C. §43-07-01 et seq. |
| Ohio | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board Note: Licensing in Ohio is largely local. Contact your city or county. |
com.ohio.gov | (614) 644-3493 | ORC §4740.01 et seq. Local municipal codes apply |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) | cib.ok.gov | (405) 271-1132 | 59 O.S. §1000 et seq. |
| Oregon | Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) | oregon.gov/ccb | (503) 378-4621 | ORS §701.005 et seq. ORS §701.021 (contractor definition) ORS §701.010 (exemptions) OAR 812-003 et seq. |
| Pennsylvania | PA Office of Attorney General — Bureau of Consumer Protection (HICPA) PA Dept. of Agriculture — Bureau of Plant Industry (Pesticide Applicator) |
attorneygeneral.gov agriculture.pa.gov |
(717) 787-4843 (AG) (717) 772-5204 (Ag Dept.) |
73 P.S. §517.1 et seq. (Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act) 3 Pa.C.S. §111.1 et seq. (Pesticide Control Act) 7 Pa. Code §128 (Applicator Certification) |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration & Licensing Board | crb.ri.gov | (401) 222-1268 | R.I. Gen. Laws §5-65-1 et seq. |
| South Carolina | SC Contractors Licensing Board — SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation | llr.sc.gov/clb | (803) 896-4686 Contact.CLB@llr.sc.gov |
S.C. Code Ann. §40-11-10 et seq. SC CLB Swimming Pools Classification (note: classification expanded May 19, 2023) |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Dept. of Labor & Regulation — Contractor Licensing | dlr.sd.gov | (605) 773-3178 | SDCL §36-21C-1 et seq. |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors | (615) 741-8307 (800) 544-7693 |
T.C.A. §62-6-101 et seq. (Contractors Licensing Act) |
| Texas | Texas Dept. of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) — Electricians Program (Relevant to pool-related electrical work — RAIL/RAIC license) |
tdlr.texas.gov | (800) 803-9202 | Tex. Occ. Code §1305.001 et seq. (Electrical Safety & Licensing Act) 16 TAC §73.100 et seq. |
| Utah | Utah Division of Professional Licensing — Contractor Section | dopl.utah.gov | (801) 530-6720 | Utah Code Ann. §58-55-101 et seq. UAC R156-55a et seq. |
| Vermont | Vermont Secretary of State — Office of Professional Regulation Vermont Dept. of Public Safety — Fire Safety Division |
sos.vermont.gov/opr dps.vermont.gov |
(802) 828-1505 (SOS) (802) 479-7561 (Fire Safety) |
26 V.S.A. §3001 et seq. |
| Virginia | Virginia Dept. of Professional & Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors | dpor.virginia.gov | (804) 367-8511 | Va. Code Ann. §54.1-1100 et seq. Va. Code Ann. §54.1-1115 (license classifications) 18 VAC 50-22-10 et seq. |
| Washington | Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Contractor Registration | lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors | (360) 902-5226 | RCW §18.27.010 et seq. (Contractor Registration) RCW §18.27.090 (exemptions) WAC 296-46B (pool electrical) |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Division of Labor — Contractor Licensing | labor.wv.gov | (304) 558-7890 | W.Va. Code §21-11-1 et seq. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Dept. of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS) — Contractor Certification | dsps.wi.gov | (608) 266-2112 | Wis. Stat. §101.654 et seq. |
| Wyoming | Wyoming has no single statewide pool service licensing board. Contact your local county or municipality directly. |
wyomingbusiness.wy.gov | (307) 777-2700 | No statewide pool service contractor licensing statute identified. Local county and municipal codes apply. |
Reminder: This Table Is a Research Starting Point — Not a Final Answer
The agencies listed above are the correct starting point for licensing research in each state. The code section titles listed are the relevant statutes to look up — not legal interpretations of those statutes. What those statutes mean for your specific business activities is a question for the agency itself and for a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
National Industry Associations & Resources
These organizations are not government licensing authorities and do not issue government-required contractor licenses. However, they offer industry certifications, training, and resources that are recognized in some states as meeting certain licensing requirements. Contact them directly for information about their programs.
| Organization | Website | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) Formerly APSP/NSPF. Administers the CPO (Certified Pool Operator) program and professional service certifications. |
phta.org | (703) 838-0083 |
| National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) Directory of all 50 state contractor licensing boards. |
nascla.org | (623) 587-9354 |
| Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) Florida-specific licensing resources, continuing education, and government affairs for FL pool professionals. |
fspa.com | (407) 645-5400 |
| Independent Pool & Spa Service Association (IPSSA) Trade association with regional chapters, training resources, and group insurance programs. |
ipssa.com | (805) 524-0032 |
How to Look Up Your State’s Code Section
Each state maintains a free, publicly searchable legal database where you can read the actual text of the statutes listed in this directory. Here is how to find them:
- Go to your state legislature’s official website. For example: flsenate.gov for Florida, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov for California, legis.state.tx.us for Texas.
- Search for the code section title or number listed in the table above.
- Read the full text of the statute — not a summary or a third-party interpretation.
- Look for how the statute defines the words “contractor,” “construction,” “repair,” and “service” — these definitions determine the scope of the licensing requirement.
- Look for exemption sections — many statutes list specific activities that do not require a license.
- If you find language that is unclear or ambiguous, contact the agency and ask for written clarification before you begin operations.
A note on online legal research: Many websites publish summaries or interpretations of contractor licensing laws. These are not substitutes for reading the actual statute. Summaries can be outdated, incomplete, or reflect one person’s interpretation. Always go to the primary source — the official state government legal database.
About Leak Business Academy
Leak Business Academy was founded by Jeff Botelho, a pool leak detection specialist with over 20 years of field experience and owner of Leak & Subsurface Locators — a licensed pool leak detection company serving Southeast Florida.
Leak Business Academy helps pool service professionals build legitimate, compliant, and profitable businesses through education, training, and real-world systems. Our programs are built from field experience, not theory.
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The H.U.N.T.E.R. Method™ Digital Course | Advanced Leak Detection Training | Business Coaching
⚠ Final Disclaimer — Resource Directory Only
This page is published by Leak Business Academy for informational and educational purposes only. It is a resource directory — not legal advice, not a legal opinion, and not a compliance guide.
Leak Business Academy is not a law firm. The individuals who created this resource are not attorneys. Nothing in this page creates an attorney-client relationship or constitutes the practice of law.
This directory identifies publicly available government agencies and publicly available code section titles for research purposes only. It makes no claim, representation, or warranty about whether any specific business activity does or does not require a license in any state.
Laws change. Agency contact information changes. Code sections are amended. This directory reflects information compiled in March 2026 and may not reflect changes that occur after that date.
All readers are directed to: verify all contact information directly with the official state government website before use; contact the appropriate state licensing agency for guidance on their specific business activities; contact their local county and municipal licensing offices; and consult a licensed attorney in their jurisdiction before making compliance decisions.
Leak Business Academy assumes no liability for any reader’s reliance on the information contained in this directory. The reader assumes full responsibility for independently verifying applicable legal requirements.
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