Accelerate Florida

As directed by Governor Crist through "Accelerate Florida: Extending Florida's Economic Horizons," Secretary Drago and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation has been charged with promoting less intrusive, more effective government.

Since the "Accelerate Florida" initiative was announced on Aug. 26, the Department has been reviewing statutes, rules, procedures, and forms to ensure that:

Please find below some of the changes that have been made at DBPR to help accelerate Florida's economy and better serve you, our customer.

New

Enhanced customer service through increased transparency

The Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes upgraded the portal experience for applicants by posting online the filing dates, filing status, comments, and the name of the examiner reviewing the filing. By doing so, applicants can immediately know the status of their filing. This addition also answers many of the informational requests made by applicants and provides the contact for technical questions about the filing.
Check Eliminated practical exam requirement for barbers The exam will be replaced with a computer-based written examination on practical theory enabling applicants to take the examination in a convenient location as their schedule permits.
Check Streamlined landscape architecture licensure applications

Removed any discretionary requirements that provided no protection to the public and reviewed application for plain language and repetitive questions. Updated application is easier for applicants to understand and is 20 to 30 percent shorter. 

Check Simplified corporate name change application for construction and electrical contractors

The Division of Professions simplified the corporate name change application by eliminating the requirement to provide financial and credit documents for their businesses.
Check Transitioned to computer-based testing for certified contractors’ business and finance exam The business and finance portion of the certified contractors’ exam is now administered via computer-based testing and is offered five days a week at 22 locations throughout the state.
Check Improved online applications with new user-friendly application center Web site changes include: new application features with a full list of license types, a list of detailed license requirements before each application, separate entry points for applications and renewals, and a new page called "What Services Require a DBPR License," which is designed to assist consumers with determining what services require a DBPR license.
Check Eliminated CPA laws and rules examination

Eliminated the laws and rules exam requirement for CPA licensure renewal.  With the repeal of the associated rule, applicants applying for original CPA licensure will no longer be required to complete the exam. This change results in more efficient licensure.
Check Reduced continuing education requirements for CPA license reactivation

Reduced license reactivation requirements to allow an affordable option for CPA’s to return to the profession.  CPA’s can now regain a current, active license with a cap on the number of continuing education hours needed to reactivate. 

Check Reduced licensing process time

Restaurants can electronically transmit approved food service plans to district offices.
Check Reduced application processing time for real estate applicants

The Division of Real Estate has dramatically reduced the amount of time it takes to process applications, license certification histories and refund requests. 

Check Reduced application processing time for appraisers through partnerships with colleges and universities Completed a pilot program with Florida State University to pre-certify the educational requirement for graduates based on university degree requirements. Other university programs are currently being worked on.
Check Electronic fingerprinting cut processing time for several professions Community Association Manager, Athlete Agent, Talent Agency and Employee Leasing Company applicants are now required to use electronic fingerprinting, cutting down the application time for all applicants.
Check Enhanced editable ABT delinquent notifications list

Enhanced delinquent account reporting form and delinquent account release form.  New forms allow for the data to be entered onto the form, printed and submitted to the division.  The form clarifies what information is necessary for the submission, reducing the errors in data submitted and posted. 

Check Reduced the time required to process exam scores for CPAs by more than half The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy is now transmitting scores as frequently as eight times per exam window, which is a three-month period. DBPR will now be able to provide eligible applicants with licensure packages more quickly, in approximately 30 days.
Check Accelerated Hotels and Restaurants plan review by centralizing to Tallahassee Centralized plan review accelerates the licensure process by reducing the time required to complete a plan review, allowing electronic submission of plans and streamlining the process by accepting applications and licensing fees along with the plan review.
Check Provided easily accessible ABT excise tax information online This makes it much easier for customers to obtain this information.
Check Provided useful online demographic data for ABT manufacturers and distributors It is now easier for customers to file tax reports since the necessary information is readily available online.
Check Removed licensee burden by obtaining corporate documents directly from DOS

Before this change, documents from the Department of State had to be submitted by the licensee.  Now, DBPR mines the documents directly from the Department of State system, thus reducing deficiencies and processing licenses faster. 

Check Required that farm labor applicants' disciplinary history be reviewed before issuing licenses

Any person with pending disciplinary action requires verification before a farm labor license is issued.  The coordinated efforts of two divisions allows for faster screening of applicants.

check mark Reduced licensure process for farm labor applicants using computer-based testing The Farm Labor Contractor registration examination, previously administered through the pencil and paper, is now offered via computer at multiple sites throughout the state.
check mark Expanded electronic fingerprinting from 20 locations to 60

Provided business professionals the convenience of submitting fingerprints at more locations throughout the state and nation.
check mark Offered enterable/savable Portable Document Format (PDF) forms for applications and complaints provided convenience for licensees

Improved application process by allowing business professionals to complete applications electronically and save information for future editing and completion. Remaining forms and supporting documents are being changed to this electronic format.
check mark Simplified corporate name change application for electrical contractors

The Division of Professions simplified the corporate name change application by eliminating the requirement to provide financial and credit documents for their businesses.
check mark

Eased license requirements for out-of-state veterinary professionals

The Division obtained the Board of Veterinary Medicine’s approval to rescind the requirement that out-of-state applicants submit proof of continuing education with their applications.

check mark Improved ability to serve customer needs based on skill-based routing call volume analysis

Restructured and increased staffing in each queue based on the call volume demands of each section.
check mark Ensured consistency in CCC process for serving all customers regardless of division Enhanced our customer relations management software to include a feature to track the status of customer inquiries that are unanswered by call agents and require internal referral.
check mark Improved service and response time for DBPR e-mail customers 

Developed an e-mail team and improved the quality of the Department’s answers to customers’ questions.  Employees on this team dedicate their time to responding to customer inquiries received via the CCC citizen e-mail.
check mark Ensured continuous service through staffing of CCC

Continuously filling all vacancies in CCC positions, including call agents, supervisors, trainers, and quality assurance team members.

check mark Provided CCC staff needed to meet customers needs during busy times

Continuously identify call volume peaks and valleys and retrospectively develop staff schedules according to customer needs.
check mark Provided additional information for Web-based frequently asked questions (FAQ) to better serve online customers Enhanced the “self-help” functionality of the website by providing more detailed and up-to-date information available 24/7.
check mark Improved service to Hispanic community with additional bilingual agents.

Staffed each skill-based queue with a minimum of two bilingual agents. Sent news releases written in Spanish on Hospitality Education Courses being offered in Spanish to Hispanic media outlets.

check mark Empowered employees to provide better and more efficient customer service Scheduled first “ccChat,” a Web-based chat room intended to link CCC agents with policy experts without the agents having to leave the phones.
check mark Allowed CCC customers to be transferred to division offices for answers to complex questions Rescinded CCC process that required agents to advise customers they must call back if they had reached an agent who was not “assigned” to the subject matter they were calling about.
check mark Moved to biennial inspections for cosmetology The Board of Cosmetology amended an administrative rule to permit biennial inspections of establishments, rather than yearly inspections.  We are currently expanding this inspection schedule to barbers.
Contact Us :: 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee FL 32399 :: Call.Center@dbpr.state.fl.us :: Customer Contact Center: 850.487.1395