In This Issue:

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

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Message From The Secretary, Ken Lawson

To our licensees and partners:

When the Governor asked me to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, I was honored to have the opportunity to work directly with the men and women who are shaping Florida’s economic future. I’m looking forward to taking on the challenge of making this state the best place for businesses to start and thrive.

Our top priority will be reducing the weight of unnecessary regulation on businesses and professionals so we can focus on our primary mission – getting Floridians back to work. Here at DBPR, we know that our customers come first and we will strive to license efficiently and regulate fairly.

Our state has faced some tough challenges, and Florida’s businesses and professionals need our help and our service now more than ever. If you have any suggestions for how we can improve, I welcome the input. It’s important that we continue to improve wherever possible. I am committed to serving you as best I can, with the help of the DBPR family.

Ken Lawson, DBPR Secretary

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Message from the Executive Director
Juanita Chastain

It is license renewal time again. Your license must be renewed by November 30, 2011 to remain current. You should have received your renewal notice by now, but if not you are still required to complete the continuing education and remit your renewal payment by the end of November. If you do not renew by November 30, your license will revert to a delinquent status. You are subject to disciplinary action if you practice with a delinquent license.

If you have questions please review the frequently asked questions on the Board’s website or contact the customer contact center at 850.487.1395.

Changes to Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) coming September 2012

Candidates are encouraged to complete the current exam by June 2012.

The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) has announced changes to the exam that will take affect with the September 2012 administration of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.).

Changes to the exam will include:

• Five to four sections. – This modest structural change will better align the content of the L.A.R.E. with current practice, as demonstrated in the 2010 Task Analysis study.  For additional detail on equivalency between the current and new exam, view the transition chart at www.clarb.org.

• Full computer-based testing – By December 2012 all four sections will be      delivered by computer to improve relevance, reliability, and accessibility.

Candidates are encouraged to continue taking the current exam, especially those that have already started the exam process.  Because the content that is currently tested in Section D will be split between Sections 3 and 4 in the new exam, candidates already in the exam process should complete the current exam to avoid losing credit for Sections C, D or E.

CLARB has developed a set of Frequently Asked Questions to help candidates better understand the changes and how to navigate the transition process.  For additional information please contact CLARB at 571.432.0332 or visit their website at www.clarb.org.

The Department will continue to develop and administer Section F of the examination, which is a computer-based examination that tests the applicant on Florida laws and rules.  Section F is offered daily by the Department contracted vendor at sites throughout Florida.

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 reactivate an inactive license.

As of September 1, 2011, the Florida Board of Landscape Architecture has the following licensure numbers:

Landscape Architects   

• Current, Active:               1,132
• Current, Inactive:                 89

  Landscape Architecture Businesses

• Current, Active:                   320

Receive Continuing Education Credits for Attending Board Meeting

I would encourage you to attend a board meeting when they are in your area.  You can receive two continuing education credits in laws and rules by attending a board meeting.

If you are unable to join us for a meeting, be sure to check the board’s website at  www.MyFloridaLicense.com for complete information on the deliberations of the board. You can find this information in the executive summaries and minutes of all board meetings. 

I hope you had a safe summer and an opportunity for a little fun and relaxation. I look forward to seeing you at a meeting in the near future.

—Juanita

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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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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 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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Changes to DBPR’s Homepage

The DBPR website is getting a makeover! 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.

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DBPR Phone System Upgrade

DBPR is currently in the process of upgrading its phone system. Most main numbers will remain the same, but employee direct lines are changing. Initially, a recording will provide the new number for any numbers being changed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience while we undergo this Department-wide change!

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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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Visit us on the Web at www.MyFloridaLicense.com