September 2011

In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message from the Vice-Chair
• 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 Vice-Chair, Capt. Jorge J. Viso

2011 has been a relatively quiet year for the Board of Pilot Commissioners, if you consider the number of meetings. 

In accordance with changes put into law by the 2010 Legislature, the makeup of the Board has changed since our last newsletter.  Before his term expired, former Governor Charlie Crist appointed the following new commissioners to the Board:  Mr. John Fox from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Mr. Matthew Sams of Holland America Lines, Mr. Anthony Clemente, Mr. Thayer Smith and Mr. Luis Boue, CPA.  Governor Rick Scott recently replaced Mr. Boue with another CPA, Mr. Carlos Trueba.

The full Board met in January and October, and the newly formed Pilotage Rate Review Committee met twice to hold hearings for the ports of Fort Pierce and Pensacola.

Earlier this year the Biscayne Bay Pilots’ Association celebrated 100 years of service to the Port of Miami.  The pilots marked this milestone with a gala celebration and the publication of a book commemorating their anniversary.  Written by Capt. Andrew Melick, a current Miami pilot, the book, “A Century of Service,” chronicles the association through the decades supported with a rich collection of photographs.  It’s a nice walk through the history of the port that served as the cradle of the modern cruise industry.

In July, our long time Chair, Capt. Cheryl Phipps was replaced by Capt. David Ulrich from Port Everglades.  Capt. Phipps served the Board, the profession and the State extremely well over her tenure, offering a steady hand at the helm.  Thank you Capt. Phipps.

Capt. Jorge J. Viso
Vice Chair

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Message from the Executive Director,
Robyn Barineau

It’s hard to believe that we are less than three months away from 2012.  Where did the time go? 

Since our last newsletter, there have been several staff changes.  First, the Board welcomed the return of Mr. Mike Flury as their Assistant Attorney General.  Although we were saddened to see former Assistant Attorney General Tim Dennis leave this board, we were thrilled that he was offered a promotional opportunity within the Office of the Attorney General.  You may recall that Mike served the board several years ago and did a phenomenal job.   Second, former prosecutor Ms. Jody Lane accepted another position in South Florida, and she was replaced by Ms. Erica White.  We look forward to working with Mike and Erica.

In an effort to save trees, the Board has now gone paperless.  The Board was recently provided with secured laptops and will be sent their agendas on a compact disc. This move will eliminate the cost of printing, the inconvenience of having to carry agendas, and will save the environment. In my opinion, this is a win-win situation for all.

As a cost-savings measure, the Board reduced the number of board meetings this year from four to three, and reduced the number of board meeting days from two to one.  In addition, one of the three board meetings was cancelled.  The Board conducted their meetings in the Florida port cities of Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale. We have tentatively scheduled board meetings for 2012.  The board meeting schedule is included in this newsletter and is listed on the Board’s website at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Click on “Our Businesses & Professions” > Click on “Harbor Pilots” > Click on “Board Meeting Information > Click on “Board Meeting Calendar”.  Other useful information such as the executive summaries and minutes of all board meetings can also be accessed on the Board’s website.

All the best to you and yours~

Robyn Barineau, Executive Director
Board of Pilot Commissioners

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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