August 2008

In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Executive Director
• eNewsroom
• On the Road to Better Business

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Message From The Secretary

Dear Friend:

On July 31, Governor Charlie Crist appointed me to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Governor Crist understands the importance of creating a business friendly environment that also regards the safety and protection of the consumer as a top priority. I am eager to continue to serve the people of Florida and our business community and professionals in my new capacity as Secretary. I will draw upon my experience in the Department as the former Deputy Secretary of Business Regulation and Interim Secretary to continue to advance our mission to license efficiently and regulate fairly.

We've made tremendous progress over the past year, and I'm dedicated to maintaining this momentum. We know that serving you is the first step to providing great service to the people of Florida. That's why we've focused on changes that improve customer service, streamline processes, open communications with licensees and the public, and lead to better business practices.

One of the most crucial adjustments to business practices at the Department was the implementation of the Document Imaging System. The project is in its final phases, and it ultimately provides for a more streamlined and centralized application process that results in faster licensing and better service for you. I thank Governor Charlie Crist and the Legislature for providing $2.5 million to complete this project in Fiscal Year 2008/2009, which helps take care of businesses and professionals throughout Florida.

Our quest to improve customer service is never over. In an effort to reach our licensees who are located throughout the state, I'm taking our business on the road in the "On the Road to Better Business" tour this summer and early fall. This tour will provide the opportunity for you to meet with me and my staff to ask questions and provide input and suggestions. I will hold office hours for customers to come and meet with me at a Department office in their communities. Please look forward to more information to come.

I continue to uphold our mission to "License Efficiently. Regulate Fairly." I understand and value that licensees have unique insight into how we do business and ways we can build upon existing practices, and I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Thank you for all that you do for the people and economy of our great state.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Drago
Secretary

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Message From The Executive Director
Richard “Rick” Morrison

In just a few short months, it will be time to renew your individual consultant and contractor licenses.  Licensed asbestos consultants and contractors in Florida must renew their license on or before Nov. 30, 2008.  The Department has made it easy by providing an online renewal service at http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/.  A list of all Florida approved providers and courses they offer on its Web site: http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/servop/testing/documents/asb_ce_prov.pdf. 

All licensees are advised to check their continuing education credits (CE) and/or shortfall of credits for the current cycle.  You should make sure that all of the courses you have taken are posted on the Department’s Web site at http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/.  Please note the continuing education requirements for asbestos consultants and contractors are as follows:

Each applicant for biennial renewal of a license as an asbestos consultant shall:

Complete two (2) days of refresher courses for each calendar year related to a building asbestos survey and mechanical systems course, an asbestos management planning course, or a respiratory protection course, which have been approved by the Department.

Each applicant for biennial renewal of an asbestos contractor license shall:

Complete one (1) day of an asbestos abatement project management and supervisor refresher courses for each calendar year, which has been approved by the Department.

Any shortfall in (CE) in past renewal cycles needs to be fulfilled before credits can be earned for the current cycle. A licensee who does not fulfill his/her CE requirements will be placed in delinquent status until all CE requirements for prior and current cycles are completed.

Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recently determined that, according to the Model Accreditation Plan (MAP), annual refresher training requirements can also be satisfied through online training.  All online courses used for licensing or MAP credits or accreditation must be approved by the accrediting state. Online refresher courses put your Florida license and MAP accreditation renewal’s at your fingertips.

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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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On the Road to Better Business

Here at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, we understand how valuable your feedback is to our business practices. No one can provide better insight into how well the Department functions than the end-user. In an effort to bridge the communications gap and bring a piece of the Department right to the customers we serve, we are beginning the “On the Road to Better Business” tour.

During “On the Road to Better Business,” Secretary Charles W. Drago will hit the road and work from district offices across the state providing opportunities for you to meet with him. You will be able to share your experiences with the Department and offer suggestions on how to enhance business. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly, and we recognize that providing great service to our customers means supporting Florida’s economy. 

Please visit our Web site frequently to see when Secretary Drago will be in an area near you. 

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