In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Chair
• Message From The Executive Director
• Important Information
• Reminder about Reporting Requirement for Criminal Convictions
• Continuing Education
• Licensee Numbers
• Improved Online Applications
• Renew Your License Online
• DBPR Smart Phone App
• eNewsroom

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Message From The Secretary, Ken Lawson

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

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Message From The Chair, Myra Jowers

New Year’s greetings from the Board of Cosmetology Chair!

Here it is – a brand new year filled with opportunities and challenges.  With busy schedules, we must take time to take care of ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually so as to keep our lives in balance.  A well-balanced person is both happier and more productive.

The Board of Cosmetology serves the citizens and professionals of Florida to the very best of our collective abilities.  We are watching out for potential dangers to our profession.  Safety is foremost in our minds, without compromising service and quality to our beloved clients.  We recognize the fragile state of our economy and attempt to keep your workplaces safe and clean so that your customers will feel confident in the services you deliver.  This is what regulation is all about: keeping you and your clients healthy and free from danger.

As always, you are welcome to attend our board meetings.  We value your involvement and welcome your suggestions and questions.  Our meeting schedule is posted on our website along with other important reminders.

A huge “Thank You” to my wonderful board for your service in 2011.  You did an outstanding job!  Please keep up the great work!  It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Chair for another year.

Have a great winter and a productive spring!

Myra Jowers
Board Chair

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Message From the Executive Director,
Robyn Barineau

I sincerely hope that each of you had a wonderful holiday season.  Here’s to a prosperous, healthy 2012!

Since our last newsletter, board staff and several board members had the opportunity to attend the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) annual conference in Fort Lauderdale.  We welcomed over 125 other board members and regulators from across the country to our beautiful state.  The entire event was very educational and informative.  During the conference, members and staff participated in various breakout sessions which included topics such as infection control, distance learning and weapons of mass destruction in the beauty industry.  Of course, we also had the opportunity to showcase our great state and the beautiful beaches of South Florida.  Praises were sung by all attendees about the conference, highlighting both the educational value and the location. 

Since our last newsletter the Board reviewed over 78 licensure applications, 149 disciplinary cases and more than 85 course applications.  It conducted multiple informal hearings in licensure matters, discussed proposed rules and rule amendments and various other important cosmetology-related issues. 

Be sure you know when your license expires!  Complete required continuing education and submit your renewal payment on or before the end of the renewal cycle.  Also, it is imperative that you keep the Department informed of your current address.

Board meetings have tentatively been scheduled through July 2012.  The board meeting schedule is available by visiting www.MyFloridaLicense.com > click on “Our Businesses & Professions” > click on “Cosmetology” > click on “Board Meeting Information” > and click on “Board Meeting Calendar.”   If your schedule permits, please try to attend a board meeting to witness the decisions and actions taken by the Board of Cosmetology.  I am certain that you will be impressed by the work of the Board and the business undertaken at each meeting. 

My best to you and yours~

Robyn Barineau
Executive Director, Board of Cosmetology

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Important Information

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
Did you know that whenever you purchase products from a supply store, you can request a material safety data sheet (MSDS)?  Supply stores are required to provide you with an MSDS if you ask for one.  An MSDS will inform you of the ingredients contained in a product and the potential hazards of the product, such as MMA. 

WHO CAN ADD EXTENSIONS?
As a reminder, hair braiders and hair wrappers cannot add extensions.  Cosmetologists are the only licensees allowed to add extensions.

CAN I USE CERTAIN EQUIPMENT IN MY PRACTICE?
It is suggested that you contact the Board of Cosmetology prior to your purchase of specialized salon equipment.  You may need to request an opinion from the Board as to whether or not the equipment would be allowable within your scope of practice.

HELPFUL REMINDER:

• Massaging the declate is outside the scope of practice for Board of Cosmetology licensees.

• Alcohol is not appropriate to be used as a disinfectant.

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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.

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Continuing Education

Continuing education providers should update reference materials, including board laws and rules, and copyright dates when submitting course renewals for consideration.

To receive credit for completing a board-approved continuing education course, you must complete the course within the two-year period you are renewing. In other words, if you complete 18 hours of board-approved continuing education, the credit will be assessed against the current two-year licensing period. You cannot carry forward the two-hour overage for a future renewal.

Also, please ensure that you maintain copies of your course completion certificates for a minimum of three years. You can access your continuing education account information by visiting the Department’s website at www.MyFloridaLicense.com.

If you do not see that your continuing education credits have been posted to your account, contact the course provider to ensure they have properly submitted your course completion information to the department.

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Licensee Numbers

“Current, active” indicates that the individual has met all licensure and renewal requirements and is able to practice with this license.  “Current, inactive” indicates that the individual has renewed his or her license, but has elected not to utilize the license at this time.  Certain fees and continuing education are required to reactive an inactive license.

As of January 12, 2012, the Board of Cosmetology has the following licensure numbers. 

Cosmetologists:
Current, Active:	95,226
Current, Inactive:	1,030
Manicure/Pedicure/Nail Extension Specialists:
Current, Active:	31,686
Current, Inactive:	310
Facial Specialists:
Current, Active:	18,634
Current, Inactive:	188
Full Specialists:
Current, Active:	18,634
Current, Inactive:	76
Hair Braiders:
Current, Active:	1,869
Current, Inactive:	8
Hair Wrappers:
Current, Active:	560
Current, Inactive:	1
Body Wrappers:
Current, Active:	3,227
Current, Inactive:	23
Cosmetology Salons:	21,523
Mobile Cosmetology Salons:	16

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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

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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

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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>>

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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.

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