In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Executive Director
• Important Information
• Recent Department Initiatives
• New Reporting Requirement for Criminal Convictions
• License Application Center
• 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:

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect, assess and create yearly goals, both personally and professionally. Since the first of the year, I have done just that and I have asked my Senior Management team to as well. They have been working diligently on their goals for 2012, and I am excited to see how our goals will come to fruition for the citizens of Florida this year.

We are committed to making our licensing processes more efficient for our customers, and are devoted to keeping citizens of Florida and visitors to the state safe by regulating businesses and professionals to ensure that health and safety standards are met.

As always, we strive to be the best and if there is something we can improve, we want to know. Thank you for allowing us to continue serving you in 2012.

Ken Lawson
Secretary
Department of Business and Professional Regulation

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Message From The Executive Director,
Juanita Chastain

We are in the final stages of the ApplyNow! Project!  Forms have been streamlined and rules amended in an effort to make the application process easier and faster while continuing to ensure the qualifications of applicants.

The following rules have been amended:

Rule 61G6-5.003, FAC, Requirements for Certification.  The rule was amended to allow an applicant that is employed by a Florida Certified Electrical, Alarm or Specialty contractor to have their employer affirm that he/she meets the requirements pursuant to the applicable part of the statute on a form in lieu of providing a list of contracts.

Rule 61G6-5.004, FAC, Requirement for Business Organization.  The rule was amended to allow an applicant to affirm on the application that he/she has check writing authority or the authority for approving checks, payments, drafts and contracts on behalf of the business organization in lieu of submitting a notarized letter from a bank official.

Rule 61G6-5.010, FAC, Statement of Authority,  The rule was amended to allow an applicant to affirm on the application that he/she is legally qualified to act for the business organization in all matters connected with its contracting business and has authority to supervise all electrical/alarm work undertaken by the business in lieu of submitting a signed letter of authority.

You may review the entire rule language at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses & Professions > Electrical Contractors > Statutes and Rules > Chapter 61G6, Florida Administrative Code.

During the last two board meetings, the Board reviewed more than 90 additional business applications and more than 80 initial licensure applications. The Board also conducted multiple informal hearings in licensure matters, reviewed and discussed disciplinary matters, reviewed continuing education providers and courses, discussed proposed rules and rule amendments, heard petitions for rule variance and waiver and addressed various other important issues concerning the profession.

Juanita Chastain
Executive Director
Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board

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Important Information

What types of licenses does the electrical board offer?

Certified Electrical Contractor (EC)

Registered Electrical Contractor (ER)

Certified Alarm System Contractor I (EF)

Registered Alarm Contractor I (EY)

Certified Alarm Contractor II (EG)

Registered Alarm Contractor II (EZ)

Certified Electrical Specialty Contractor (ES)

i. Residential Electrical Specialty

ii. Utility Line Specialty

iii. Lighting Maintenance Specialty

iv. Sign Specialty

v. Limited Energy Specialty

Registered Electrical Specialty Contractor (ET)

i. Residential Electrical Specialty

ii. Utility Line Specialty

iii. Lighting Maintenance Specialty

iv. Sign Specialty

v. Limited Energy Specialty

A complete description of the scope of work for each license is online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses & Professions > Electrical Contractors > Know Your Scope Chart

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Recent Department Initiatives

As part of our ongoing effort to improve communication with licensees and the inspection process, we launched the “Bill of Rights” initiative last year. Inspectors now hand out “Bill of Rights” cards at the beginning of every inspection. The card explains the high standards and professional treatment licensees have a right to expect from Department staff and provides a way for licensees to submit feedback on their inspection process directly to the inspectors’ supervisors.

Additionally, we are committed to streamlining processes and eliminating burdensome and unnecessary regulation. As a result of licensee feedback, we have upgraded many of our license application processes, and many more upgrades are expected.

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New 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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License Application Center

In our continuing effort to provide better customer service, we have improved our website home page and created a user-friendly application center. Application features include a full list of license types, a list of detailed license requirements before each application, separate entry points for applications and renewals, and a page called "Services Requiring a DBPR License," which is designed to help consumers determine what services require a license from the Department.

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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.

>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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