Through the "Accelerate Florida: Extending Florida's Economic Horizons" initiative, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation has been charged with promoting less intrusive, more effective government.
Since the initiative was announced on Aug. 26, the Department has been reviewing statutes, rules, procedures, and forms to ensure that:
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Regulation is exercised only to the extent necessary to ensure the public is protected.
Professions, occupations, and businesses are regulated in a manner that does not restrict entry into the practice of the profession, occupation, or business, or limit the availability of services to the public.
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Regulation does not have an unreasonable effect on job creation or job retention, or place unreasonable restrictions on individuals finding employment.
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Regulation is cost-effective and has favorable economic impact, including the indirect costs to consumers.
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.
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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. |
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Eliminated practical exam requirement for barbers | The exam was replaced with a computer-based written examination on practical theory enabling applicants to take the examination in a convenient location as their schedule permits. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Reduced licensing process time | Restaurants can electronically transmit approved food service plans to district offices. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Provided easily accessible ABT excise tax information online | This makes it much easier for customers to obtain this information. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Expanded electronic fingerprinting from 20 locations to 60 | Provided business professionals the convenience of submitting fingerprints at more locations throughout the state and nation. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Ensured continuous service through staffing of CCC | Continuously filling all vacancies in CCC positions, including call agents, supervisors, trainers, and quality assurance team members. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Moved to biennial inspections for cosmetology and barbers | The Board of Cosmetology and Barber's Board amended administrative rules to permit biennial inspections of establishments, rather than yearly inspections. |
