In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Board Chair
• Message From The Executive Director
• Important Information
• Improved Online Applications
• Renew Your License Online
• Reminder about Reporting Requirement for Criminal Convictions
• Changes to DBPR’s Homepage
• DBPR Phone System Upgrade
• DBPR Smart Phone App
• eNewsroom

---

Message From The Secretary

To our licensees and partners:

As the head of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, it is my responsibility to help make Florida the best place for businesses to operate. I believe the way to make this happen is to use smart regulation, strong but fair enforcement and good lines of communication with our customers.

Smart regulation is regulation that helps businesses grow and protects Floridians, not regulation that makes life more cumbersome for businesses and professionals. Enforcing our rules and regulations is necessary, but this enforcement must be fair above all else, and our licensees deserve a voice throughout the regulation and enforcement process.

Finally, we value communication with our customers and rely on each of you to let us know what’s working, what isn’t working and what we can do better. In the past few months, we have surveyed a large majority of our licensees to gain feedback on the Department, developed a Bill of Rights card to let customers know what to expect from inspections and upgraded many of our license application processes.

With these and other ongoing improvements, we are closer to getting Florida back to work. We are committed to streamlining processes and eliminating burdensome and unnecessary regulation. Feedback from our customers and partners will ensure we stay on track to make that happen. As always, thank you for working with us, and thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve Florida’s businesses and professionals!

Ken Lawson
DBPR Secretary

Back To Top

---

Message From The Board Chair

The provisional certification process has been the focus of the Board’s attention at recent meetings.  It is not unusual for individual applicants to request provisional certification when newly hired or promoted.  However, many applicants do not apply at the same time for standard certification in the same category, even though they eventually must if they intend to continue performing in the same category beyond the three year maximum life of the provisional certification.  We encourage those persons applying for such certification to apply for standard licensure with the same application by checking both boxes ‘Provisional’ and ‘Standard’ on the application form.  Since the qualifications for provisional and standard certifications in a single category are identical, the applicant, if approved for provisional certification, should also be approved for standard certification when reviews of both are conducted at the same time. The Board will not approve an application for standard certification applications based solely on the applicant having received provisional certification in the same category sometime in the past.  Among the benefits of having a single review for both are 1) submitting only one application package (with both boxes checked), and 2) the applicant doesn’t have to gather all of the necessary information and documents several months (or even years) later when finally applying for the standard license.  Of critical importance to this process is the need to pay for both the provisional and standard applications ($5 for each) at the time of application.  The Department cannot move either part of this dual application forward if the accompanying payment is insufficient.

Provisional Building Code Administrator certification approvals have also been discussed by the Board and at a recent public workshop. Applicants for this certification who qualify may currently work in that capacity for as long as three years without having passed the requisite legal and management, technical, or P and P exams.  Valid reasons have been presented by those who propose elimination of this category altogether as well as by those who believe it is important to retain it.  In response to the concerns expressed by everyone on this issue, a proposal may surface to reduce the ‘life’ of such certification to 18 months.

This summer, the Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board bade farewell to longtime Board member and past Chairman Robert Kymalainen.  Bob unselfishly shared his time and wisdom for the maximum number of years allowed.  Moving onward also is Timothy Dennis, Assistant Attorney General, and dedicated counsel to the Board for several years, as he accepts new assignments and challenges.  Replacing Mr. Kymalainen is the Building Official for Hillsborough County, Wayne Francis.  Clark Jennings has graciously accepted our Board Counsel responsibilities, which are nothing new to him since he has previously served in that capacity as well as serving as Board Counsel for other DBPR Boards.  The Board and staff welcome both of these very able individuals and congratulate Richard Gathright and Orlando Lamas on their reappointment.

Please join us at one or more of our upcoming meetings to express your thoughts about any of the agenda subjects or, during the public comment period, propose future discussions that might allow this Board to provide better, more efficient and effective service.

Bob McCormick, Chair
Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board

Back To Top

---

Message from the Executive Director

Hello from your state capitol! I trust that this newsletter finds each of you doing well. We are gearing up in Tallahassee for an early legislative session, which starts in January 2012. All eyes will be focused on our lawmakers, the state budget and our great citizens. 

Since our last newsletter, the Board said farewell to longtime member, Bob Kymalainen.  Bob was an outstanding member for more than 11 years.  He was fair, honest and always willing to step in and assist whenever necessary.  He will be missed.  Replacing Bob is Wayne Francis from Hillsborough County.  We look forward to working with Wayne.

Here are a few items of interest since our last newsletter.  First, since April 2011, the Board reviewed more than 171 licensure applications and more than 59 continuing education applications.  The Board also conducted multiple informal hearings in licensure matters, reviewed and discussed disciplinary matters, discussed proposed rules and rule amendments and addressed various other important building-code related issues. 

We are continuing our work with the Division of State Fire Marshal (DSFM) on the implementation of legislation that allows for continuing education reciprocity with fire safety inspector licensees and any licenses held with the BCAIB.  Stay tuned to the Board’s website for the latest details on the Board’s progression with this important project. 

Building Departments – do not forget to use the new surcharge reporting form for calculation of your quarterly surcharge reports to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.  The form can be accessed at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses & Professions > Building Code Administrators and Inspectors > Forms. 

Renewal is fast approaching. Please ensure that you complete all your required continuing education and submit your renewal payment on or before November 30.

The Board has tentatively scheduled its meetings through June 2012.  Be sure to check the complete Board meeting schedule included in this newsletter and the Board’s website at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses & Professions > Building Code Administrators and Inspectors as meeting dates and locations are subject to change. 

Best wishes for a prosperous 2012!

Robyn Barineau, Executive Director
Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board

Back To Top

---

Important Information

Important Reminder:  Don’t forget to complete your continuing education and make your renewal payment on or before November 30, 2011!

An Important Reminder About Limited Certificates

If you hold an active limited certification issued by the Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board or employ someone who holds a limited certification, you are reminded that the conditions attached to such certifications prohibit use of the limited certificate(s) if the employer or duties and/or responsibilities of the limited certificate holder change. These limitations are set forth in Section 468.609(6), Florida Statutes, and Rule 61G19-6.0011, Florida Administrative Code. As a certificate holder, you are deemed to have knowledge of the laws and rules governing your practice. Employing a limited certificate holder, or being employed as a limited certificate holder, in violation of these provisions, may subject the employer and the limited certification holder to discipline by the Board or Department, including restriction, suspension or revocation of certification, and a fine up to $5,000 per separate offense.

Technical Examinations Offered by Computer-based Testing

As a reminder, all technical examinations are offered by computer-based testing administration including the modular inspector exam, the modular plans examiner exam and the roofing inspector exam.   For more information regarding examinations, refer to the Board’s webpage at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses and Professions > Building Code.

Reminders to Continuing Education Providers

• Course providers shall notify the Board in writing within 30 days of the effective date of any changes in information required to be listed in the initial registration – please see Rule 61G19-9.003(4), Florida Administrative Code.  This includes changes to telephone numbers or addresses, notice that you are no longer offering a course and other important information.

• After a course has been approved by the Board, any substantive changes in the course content requires reapplication of the course to be submitted for approval by the Board – please see Rule 61G19-9.004(10), Florida Administrative Code.

• All individual license numbers should be included in the electronic file transfer to the Department to ensure proper credit for licensees. 

• After a licensee's completion of a course, the information must be submitted to the Department electronically no later than 30 calendar days thereafter.  However, the continuing education provider shall electronically report to the Department completion of a licensee’s course within 10 business days beginning on the 30th day before the renewal deadline or prior to the renewal date, whichever occurs first – please see Section 455.2178(1)(b), Florida Statutes.

Back To Top

---

Improved Online Applications

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation has improved online applications for new licensees.

The most significant change is that the upgraded system requires all users – even those who have had online accounts with our Department for years – to create a one-time registration profile before accessing the system. Once the new profile has been created and you have supplied your license number, the system automatically transfers all data associated with your old account. Additionally, if you had to manage multiple accounts under the old system to manage all of your licenses, you will be able to link them all into the new single profile.

Applicants now have the ability to upload required documents, allowing them to fully complete and submit applications online. This enhancement ensures that applications and supporting documentation submitted online will remain together. The online system allows for faster processing times, thus getting our licensees to work more quickly. The upgraded system also provides licensees many new online services, including the ability to:

• Register with an email address and secure password;

• Receive registration confirmation via email confirmation;

• Link an existing license(s) to online profile;

• Retrieve a forgotten password;

• Answer eligibility questions to ensure you are using the correct application;

• Attach necessary documents for licensure;

• Receive an application summary and payment summary via email;

• Check your application status;

• Log in and finish an incomplete application before submission, if you were not able to complete the application when initially applying;

• Make payments;

• View Continuing Education history, if applicable; and

• Maintain license relationships

Back To Top

---

Renew Your License Online

To complete your renewal online, follow these instructions:

> Go to www.MyFloridaLicense.com.

> Click on “Renew Your License.”

>Read through the instructions and click “Continue.”

> Click on your profession type.

>Read through the instructions, take the tutorials or click “Continue to Online Services.”

> New users will need to “Create a New Online Profile.” Returning users will need to login.

> Complete all the required information and click “Next.”

> The user will receive an email with a temporary password and a link back to the system; the user will then be asked to supply a new password and enter it twice for confirmation; enter your email address and password and click “Log on.”

> The user will now need to link their license to their online account by selecting "Link an Existing License to My Account" on the left hand side of the screen; the user will need their license number and social security number.

> Select the correct license type to link from the drop down list, enter the license number, and click “Next.”

> Enter the user’s social security number, security measure, and click “Next.”

> Click “Add.”

> Click “Next” to continue linking the license.

> Select the license you intend to renew.

> The user can now select “Renew”; this is an introduction to the renewal requirements; click “Next” to continue.

> Renew – Name and Personal Details Screen – this is a view only screen; press "Next" to continue.

> Renew – Address Detail Summary – the user can update/add addresses; click "Next" to continue.

> Renew – Application Summary – allows a user to verify all details prior to submitting renewal; if anything needs to be revised, the user can click “Previous” to update; if everything is correct, click “Next” to continue.

> Renew – Attestation – the user will now attest that everything they have said is true by clicking on “Yes” and then on “Submit”; if the user clicks “No,” then they will not be able to proceed. > The user will now receive an email with an attached renewal summary pdf.

> Confirmation Screen – the user can now pay for their renewal by clicking “Pay Now.”

>After payment is made, the user will receive an Online Payment Summary pdf.

---

Reminder about Reporting Requirement for Criminal Convictions

Section 455.227(1)(t), F.S. requires all professional licensees to report to the Department within 30 days of being convicted or found guilty of, or having plead nolo contendere or guilty to a crime in any jurisdiction. A licensee who fails to report that information may be subject to disciplinary action, including fines, suspension or license revocation. To report this information, complete the criminal self-reporting document and mail to the Department as provided on the form.

Back To Top

---

Changes to DBPR’s Homepage

We've upgraded to make our website navigation more user-friendly for our customers. From new menu options to direct access links for pages most often visited, we hope these changes will make our website and online services easier to navigate.

Back To Top

---

DBPR Phone System Upgrade

DBPR has upgraded its phone system. Most main numbers remained the same, but employee direct lines changed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience while we undergo this Department-wide change!

Back To Top

---

DBPR Smart Phone App

Need to check a Florida license? There’s an app for that! Download the DBPR iPhone or Android app and stay connected with the Department. More>>

Back To Top

---

eNewsroom

Check out DBPR's eNewsroom, your source for important Department news and information. Here, you can watch public service announcements, read news releases, and subscribe to and flip through our publications.

Ask us

Contact Us

Find us

Follow us

 

Back To Top

---

Visit us on the Web at www.MyFloridaLicense.com