Florida has no dedicated license for water softener companies. The plumbing contractor license is the main state license that applies. WQA and NSF certs are the best way to check a company's skill. This guide lists what each cert means and where to look it up.
Get a free in-home water test in Kissimmee and Central Florida. A water test before any install helps confirm you need a softener. Schedule here.
What Florida licenses
Florida's DBPR (Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation) issues all contractor licenses. No separate license exists for water softener companies.
The plumbing contractor license is what applies to a softener install. A licensed plumber can connect supply lines, drain lines, and pressure vessels. To get this license, a contractor must have:
- At least 4 years of plumbing experience (or 3 years plus a journeyman license)
- A passing score on a state exam
- General liability and workers' compensation insurance
- A contractor's bond
Source: Florida DBPR Construction Contractor License Requirements.
You can check any plumbing contractor license at myfloridalicense.com. Search under "Plumbing" in the Contractor category.
For more on hard water and licensed installs, see our hard water guide.
WQA credentials: what each one means
Florida does not license water treatment work. So WQA certs are the main way to check a company's expertise.
WQA is a nonprofit trade group for the water treatment industry. It certifies equipment and technicians. Source: Water Quality Association.
Note: These WQA certs are general industry standards for checking any company. For the record, Pure Agua Enterprises is licensed and insured, is a member of the Water Quality Association, and installs systems that meet NSF/ANSI Standards 58 and 61, as stated on our about page. Ask any company you are considering, including us, which of the credentials below its installers hold.
The main personnel credentials for water softener work:
WQA Certified Water Specialist (CWS): This is the top WQA cert. To earn it, a tech needs at least 2 years of water treatment work. They pass a proctored exam on water chemistry and equipment. They also complete ongoing education every 3 years. Search for any CWS holder at wqa.org/find-certified-professionals.
WQA Certified Water Treatment Representative (CWTR): This is a product knowledge cert. It requires an exam but no field work. It shows sales knowledge, not install skill. Source: Water Quality Association credential directory.
WQA membership alone is not a technical credential. Members pay dues and sign a code of ethics. No exam or field work is required. Membership is worth noting, but it is not the same as a CWS.
For more on what to ask, see our water softening page.
NSF standards for equipment
NSF International publishes standards for home water treatment systems. Two apply to softeners:
NSF/ANSI 44: This covers ion exchange water softeners. A system with this mark has been tested for salt use, hardness removal, and water safety. Source: NSF ANSI 44 Residential Cation Exchange Water Softeners.
NSF/ANSI 58: This covers reverse osmosis systems. It is relevant if the company installs a drinking water unit too.
These marks apply to the equipment, not the installer. Ask for the brand and model of any proposed softener. Then check NSF/ANSI 44 status at the NSF certified product database.
To compare softener types, see softener vs. conditioner.
EPA WaterSense
The EPA WaterSense program rates water treatment products for efficiency. It does not rate installers. A WaterSense partner has been EPA-reviewed on the products they sell. Source: EPA WaterSense Partners.
Credentials summary table
The table below lists every public credential for water softener work in Florida. Each row links to where you can verify it.
| Credential | What It Shows | Issued By | Where to Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| FL Plumbing Contractor License | Licensed for plumbing connections in Florida | Florida DBPR | myfloridalicense.com |
| WQA CWS | Passed exam, 2+ yrs experience, ongoing education | Water Quality Association | wqa.org |
| WQA CWTR | Product knowledge; no field experience required | Water Quality Association | wqa.org |
| WQA Member | Signed code of ethics, pays dues | Water Quality Association | wqa.org |
| NSF/ANSI 44 | Equipment meets softening and safety standards | NSF International | info.nsf.org |
| NSF/ANSI 58 | RO system meets performance and safety standards | NSF International | info.nsf.org |
| EPA WaterSense Partner | Authorized to sell EPA-rated products | U.S. EPA | epa.gov/watersense |
Why Central Florida homeowners need to ask
Central Florida tap water comes from the Floridan Aquifer, and hardness varies by utility. Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) states an average of 129 ppm, about 7 grains per gallon (GPG). The City of Apopka reports 120 to 200 mg/L (7.0 to 11.7 GPG). Toho Water Authority, which supplies Kissimmee, does not list hardness in its 2025 reports. Source: Central Florida Water Hardness by Utility.
Where hardness is high enough to scale fixtures and water heaters, an ion exchange softener is the standard fix. Sizing should match your actual hardness and daily water use. A company with NSF/ANSI 44 certified equipment can show you the system's salt use and grain capacity.
For Kissimmee area homes, see our Kissimmee softener install page.
For Sanford area homes, see our Sanford softener install page.
How to check a company before you hire
Use the table above as a checklist:
- Look up the Florida plumbing contractor license at myfloridalicense.com.
- Ask which tech will do your install. Search their name in the WQA CWS directory.
- Get the brand and model of the proposed softener. Check NSF/ANSI 44 in the NSF database.
- Ask if the company is a WQA member and an EPA WaterSense partner.
A company that clears all four points has met every public standard available in Florida.
Before any install, book a free water test. This is the only way to confirm a softener is right for your home.
All sources are from government and standards bodies as of September 2026. Requirements can change. Check the linked sources before hiring.
Questions About Your Water?
Pure Agua offers free in-home water testing throughout the Kissimmee and Orlando metro area.
Schedule Free Water Test