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PRESS RELEASES

Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget Recommendations Streamline Pathways to Professional Careers and Ensure Public Safety

 

For Immediate Release

February 3, 2023

Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget Recommendations Streamline Pathways to Professional Careers and Ensure Public Safety

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Melanie S. Griffin commended Governor Ron DeSantis’ budget recommendations and affirmed the targeted funding will enhance Florida’s business climate by continuing to modernize the technological capabilities of the department, increasing levels of service for businesses and professionals regulated by the department’s programs, and ensuring that Florida remains a leader in occupational licensing.

“With the Governor’s leadership and pro-business policies attracting so many new professionals and businesses to the Free State of Florida, our number of licensees continues to grow,” said DBPR Secretary Griffin. “The Framework for Freedom Budget will minimize burdens of government processes, deliver new customer-centric technological improvements, and enable DBPR to better serve this growing licensee base.”

The FY 2023-24 budget recommendations equip DBPR to continue leading Governor DeSantis’ vision for improving Florida’s regulatory environment and ensuring public safety and welfare by:

  • Providing new resources for identity verification security software that will use data provided by the customer to verify identity in real-time and reduce the risk of application fraud;
  • Enhancing law enforcement training and equipment necessary to more efficiently enforce the state’s alcoholic beverage and tobacco laws;
  • Deploying competitive pay to attract and retain qualified inspectors and regulation professionals in order to meet the increase in licensing demand;
  • Developing a more robust searchable database with a list of buildings on condominium property that are three stories or higher in height to better serve the public and local governments; and
  • Providing targeted pay adjustments to critical DBPR licensing staff.

In addition to funding these advancements, the Framework for Freedom Budget includes continuing support for DBPR’s regulatory compliance programs in areas vital to the health, safety, and welfare of Florida’s citizens and visitors. This includes the Department’s programs that serve state objectives in education, investigation, and enforcement of unlicensed activity that poses substantial risks of public harm.

For more details, visit frameworkforfreedombudget.com.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates nearly 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, including accountants, architects and interior designers, asbestos consultants, athlete agents, auctioneers, barbers, building code administrators and inspectors, community association managers, construction contractors, cosmetologists, electrical contractors, employee leasing companies, engineers, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, mold assessors and remediators, pilot commissioners, real estate appraisers and brokers, and veterinarians, as well as businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food service, public lodging, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, please visit myfloridalicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram, or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook and LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

February 3, 2023 /  
DBPR Celebrates an Increase of Nearly 300,000 Professional Licenses in 2022

 

For Immediate Release

January 4, 2023

Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

DBPR Celebrates an Increase of Nearly 300,000 Professional
Licenses in 2022

DBPR has Expedited the Licensing Process, Increased Outreach, and Improved Customer Experience

 

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Melanie S. Griffin recognized agency achievements, which included internal operational successes, hurricane response accomplishments, and agency education and enforcement.

“To the credit of Governor DeSantis’ pro-business climate, the number of DBPR licensees has grown to 1.7 million, increasing by nearly 300,000 in 2022,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “To best serve these citizens of Florida and visitors to our state, DBPR looks for ways to cut bureaucratic red tape, refine internal processes, and partner with stakeholders and sister agencies to make it easier for Floridians to obtain professional licensure, have access to good paying jobs, and open businesses in Florida.”

Operational Efficiencies
Reduced License Application Processing Times

  • Application processing times were reduced by 68% in 2022. Implementing evening and weekend shifts, reducing the Division of Service Operations employment vacancy rate, and reimagining internal business processes have made it easier and faster for Floridians to get to work.
  • The agency also expedited the licensing process for military spouses and veterans, implementing legislation and internal policies that ensure applications submitted by those who have served our country are processed within 7 days. Since taking effect on July 1, 2022, 42 military spouses have been issued licenses through this expedited process.
  • During the 2022 Legislative Session, DBPR was appropriated over $4 million to develop and implement a Customer Experience Modernization (CXM) Project, designed to make it faster and easier to apply for and receive licensure, as well as modernize additional aspects of the Customer Contact Center. The first part of the CXM Project was completed in November 2022.

Hurricane Recovery & Outreach

  • The Department successfully led Emergency Support Function – 6 (ESF-6) at the state’s Emergency Operations Center, coordinating all mass care functions in response to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, including all shelters, points of distribution, and feeding sites throughout the State.
  • The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco deployed 31 law enforcement officers over five missions in the impacted hurricane areas. DBPR also aided in setting up and successfully operating Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) throughout multiple counties in the impacted areas. Sixty-seven other DBPR employees staffed centers throughout the months of October and part of November, providing critical services and resources to Floridians in their most vulnerable time of need.
  • DBPR issued emergency orders to support licensees and hurricane recovery by waiving certain application fees, extending license renewal deadlines, waiving certain requirements and suspending some geographic scope limitations for some certified or registered, general, building, or residential contractors in certain counties, among other measures.
  • DBPR strategically invested in earned media through social media, billboards and radio to amplify the Department’s message that falling victim to an unlicensed contractor puts a homeowner’s family, finances and home at risk, receiving nearly 20.2 million impressions.
  • Through the Department’s enforcement efforts, and in conjunction with Chief Financial Officer Patronis and local law enforcement agencies, the Department has successfully detected unlicensed contractors, stopped fraudulent behavior in our state, and prevented bad actors from taking advantage of Floridians, including our most vulnerable populations. The Division of Regulation is currently working more than 200 cases related to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.

Division Accomplishments
Highlights of 2022 include:

Record Number of Combat Sporting Events

  • For the second year in a row, the Florida Athletic Commission broke a record for the amount of live professional boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts events sanctioned in a calendar year. The 123-event total for 2022 reflects the highest number on record and breaks the previous record of 117, set in 2021, representing a 5% increase in the number of professional events hosted last year and a 108% increase from the 59 events held in 2020.

Significant Investment in Hospitality Industry

  • In December 2022, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants completed and released a long-awaited vacation rental database containing a digital searchable listing of all division-licensed vacation rentals. The database currently includes more than 140,000 unique licensed vacation rentals.
  • In 2022, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants saw the total number of division-issued lodging licenses surpass the total number of division-issued food service licenses for the first time. While the number of division-licensed public food service establishments grew from 59,772 to 61,906 (a 3.5% increase), the number of division-licensed public lodging establishments grew from 56,837 to 62,705 (a 10.3% increase). This growth is an indicator of Florida’s robust economy and strong tourism industry.

Fee Holidays for Professions

  • Licensees received a total savings of over $12 million from fee holidays in 2022. The Division of Professions implemented fee holidays for seven professional licenses, including: asbestos contractors and consultants, athlete agents, contractors, electrical contractors, home inspectors, mold remediators and assessors, and veterinarians. As of December 8, 2022, 122,097 licensees saved nearly $10.4 million due to these efforts.
  • The Division of Real Estate renewal cycle of licenses expiring September 30, 2022, received a 25% reduction for biennial real estate fees, saving an estimated 102,200 licensees nearly $1.69 million in license categories: branch offices, brokers, corporate brokers, corporations, instructors, partnerships, sales associate, schools, and schools – additional locations.

Combatted Unlicensed Regulatory Activity

  • In addition to the campaign educating homeowners about the risks associated with hiring an unlicensed professional in the aftermath of a storm, the Division of Regulation conducted a combined 1,015 public outreach activities and proactive unlicensed activity enforcement operations with local law enforcement across the state in 2022. This compares with 905 efforts conducted in 2021, accounting for a 12% increase in total activities.

Awarded Claims from Florida Homeowner’s Construction Recovery Fund

  • Since July 1, 2022, the Florida Homeowner’s Construction Recovery Fund (FHCRF) has awarded 122 claims for fiscal year 2022-2023, totaling $2,017,763. At this increased rate, the FHCRF may nearly double the 141 claims and $2,736,747 awarded in fiscal year 2021-2022, by the end of the current fiscal year.

Committed to Efficient Monitoring

  • The Division of Real Estate has experienced nearly 13% licensee growth in the past three years. Despite this increase, the division performed timely and efficient investigations, conducting 2,933 investigations in 2022. The division also ensured compliance of licensees with applicable statutes and rules by conducting inspections of broker and brokerage offices. In total, 356 Inspections and 112 audits were conducted in 2022, uncovering $192,000 in escrow account shortages.
  • In 2022, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco conducted 8,472 youth compliance surveys to determine industry compliance with age restrictions on sale of products. This proactive compliance review is a 44% increase from the 5,894 youth surveys completed in 2021.

In addition to these agency achievements, DBPR continues to support regulatory compliance programs in areas vital to public health, safety and welfare, while pursuing increased levels of service for businesses and professionals regulated by the Department’s programs.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates 1.7 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, including accountants, architects and interior designers, asbestos consultants, athlete agents, auctioneers, barbers, building code administrators and inspectors, community association managers, construction contractors, cosmetologists, electrical contractors, employee leasing companies, engineers, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, mold assessors and remediators, pilot commissioners, real estate appraisers and brokers, and veterinarians, as well as businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food service, public lodging, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram, or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook and LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

January 4, 2023 /  
Florida’s Military Spouses Receive Expedited Processing & Licensure Within Seven Days

 

For Immediate Release

November 8, 2022

Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

Florida’s Military Spouses Receive Expedited Processing & Licensure Within Seven Days

Florida’s commitment to veterans and their families helps get military spouses in careers faster

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is expediting professional license applications submitted by spouses of active duty military members.

During the 2022 Regular Session, the Florida Legislature passed SB 562, which set a new, seven-day standard for ensuring the issuance of a license through priority processing upon receiving a completed application from a military spouse. The bill was signed into law by Governor DeSantis in June, and took effect July 1, 2022. Since taking effect, 34 military spouses have been issued licenses through this expedited process.

This program applies to licenses in more than 20 professions within DBPR’s Division of Professions, Division of Real Estate, and Division of Certified Public Accounting. Currently, the professions with the highest number of military endorsement licenses issued to spouses are real estate brokers and sales agents, cosmetology specialists, and veterinary medicine.

Earlier this year, DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin met with military spouses through the Hiring Our Heroes Tampa Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zone, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and heard first-hand how military spouses’ careers are impacted by military service.

“Knowing many professions thrive on the reputation of an established business, networking and/or referrals, military spouses are at a disadvantage each time they move and have to rebuild their business and clientele in a new location,” said Secretary Griffin. “Expediting the application process is one step in helping these individuals get to work as quickly as possible. Governor DeSantis’ leadership, and the actions of the Florida Legislature, in improving support and resources for military families is a strong reminder that Florida values, welcomes, and celebrates the men and women who serve our country.”

This expedited licensure process for military spouses builds on the foundation of the military-friendly professional licensing DBPR has implemented over many years. Other DBPR services that support military members, veterans, and their families include:

  • licensing fee waiver program for military personnel, veterans and military spouses,
  • professional licensure for military personnel, veterans and military spouses who currently hold a valid license for the corresponding profession in another state or jurisdiction, and
  • reimbursement for veterans’ professional exams.

Find more details on these licensing support options at DBPR Veterans’ Service web page.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates nearly 1.7 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, including accountants, architects and interior designers, asbestos consultants, athlete agents, auctioneers, barbers, building code administrators and inspectors, community association managers, construction contractors, cosmetologists, electrical contractors, employee leasing companies, engineers, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, mold assessors and remediators, pilot commissioners, real estate appraisers and brokers, and veterinarians, as well as businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food service, public lodging, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, please visit myfloridalicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram, or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook and LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

November 8, 2022 /  
DBPR Urges Floridians to Use Only Licensed Professionals for Home Repairs

 

For Immediate Release

October 11, 2022

Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

DBPR Urges Floridians to Use Only Licensed Professionals for Home Repairs
Avoid The Traps of Unlicensed Contractors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Melanie S. Griffin warns Florida homeowners impacted by Hurricane Ian to be alert and reject fraudulent and illegal offers to perform work on their homes, use properly state-licensed professionals and verify the contractor at myfloridalicense.com.

“As structural repairs and rebuilding get underway, licensed contractors offer the only safe, legal and accountable way to have work done,” said Secretary Griffin. “You can bet that fraudsters will come out of the woodwork in the days and weeks ahead. The key safeguard is only doing business with professionals you confirm are properly licensed in Florida. Ask for their license information. Verify your contractor by using the DBPR mobile app or visiting MyFloridaLicense.com.”

Avoid the most common traps and threats created by unlicensed frauds:

  • Taking a deposit but not performing the work, or performing substandard work resulting in an extensive loss in home value, financial cost to the homeowners, and potential dangers to occupants and guests
  • A lack of proper permitting or proof of work performed resulting in difficulty or inability to sell the home
  • Non-compliance with building codes leaving defects, or the inability for the home to withstand future storms
  • A lack of necessary insurance, creating possible liability for the homeowner for injuries on their property or for shoddy work performed
  • Unknown criminal backgrounds allowing potentially dangerous people access to the home and near loved ones
  • A lack of education and/or qualifications endangering the safety of homeowners, their loved ones and their property.

Verify the license of any prospective contractor by visiting MyFloridaLicense.com, or downloading the DBPR mobile app on iTunes and GooglePlay.

Report unlicensed contractors and other unlicensed activity to 866-532-1440 or on the DBPR mobile app or MyFloridaLicense.com. For more information visit the DBPR Unlicensed Activity web page.

Also, DBPR is a founding partner of the Disaster Contractors Network (DCN), a contractor-verified clearinghouse to connect individuals with building professionals to address storm-related construction and repairs. Once homeowners are safely able to assess their home repair needs, they are encouraged to visit DCNOnline.org and search by county for a list of Florida-licensed contractors providing these services in their local community.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates nearly 1.7 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, including accountants, architects and interior designers, asbestos consultants, athlete agents, auctioneers, barbers, building code administrators and inspectors, community association managers, construction contractors, cosmetologists, electrical contractors, employee leasing companies, engineers, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, mold assessors and remediators, pilot commissioners, real estate appraisers and brokers, and veterinarians, as well as businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food service, public lodging, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, please visit myfloridalicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram, or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook and LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

October 11, 2022 /  
DBPR Issues Construction Contractor-Related Emergency Order to Assist Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts

 

For Immediate Release

October 4, 2022

Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

DBPR Issues Construction Contractor-Related Emergency Order to Assist Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie S. Griffin has signed DBPR Emergency Order 2022-03. The emergency order waives certain contractor requirements to more quickly assist homeowners and businesses with recovery and repairs in the wake of Hurricane Ian’s impacts to the state.

“Governor Ron DeSantis has given us a firm directive to bring all resources to the table for the millions of Floridians impacted by this disaster,” said Secretary Griffin. “Within the framework provided by law, this emergency order assures Floridians have access to licensed contractors now able to deploy from across the state and put their professional skills to work.”

DBPR Emergency Order 2022-03 waives the requirement for certified or registered, general, building, or residential contractors to subcontract roofing work for the repair or installation of any roof type in the following counties:

Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Desoto, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, St. Jones, St. Lucie, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Union and Volusia.

While the emergency order is in effect, registered contractors are not subject to geographic scope limitations or requirements when providing services in listed counties, subject to additional requirements outlined in the emergency order.

The emergency order also clarifies that the installation of non-permanent, emergency tarps to relieve damage caused by Hurricane Ian fall within the exemptions listed in section 489.103(6), Florida Statues.

For more information, review the Fact Sheet on DBPR Emergency Order 2022-03. To find other DBPR Emergency Orders related to Hurricane Ian, visit the DBPR website Emergency page.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates nearly 1.7 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, including accountants, architects and interior designers, asbestos consultants, athlete agents, auctioneers, barbers, building code administrators and inspectors, community association managers, construction contractors, cosmetologists, electrical contractors, employee leasing companies, engineers, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, mold assessors and remediators, pilot commissioners, real estate appraisers and brokers, and veterinarians, as well as businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food service, public lodging, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, please visit myfloridalicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram, or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook and LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

October 4, 2022 /  

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