In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Board Chair
• Message From the Executive Director
• Rule Update
• Helpful Reminders
• Material Data Safety Sheets
• Licensee Numbers
• Contact Information Updates
• The Correct Zip Code Makes a Difference!
• eNewsroom

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Message From The Secretary

With this economic downturn, many of us find ourselves struggling to use existing resources more frugally and to cut costs wherever possible.  This renewed focus on fiscal responsibility is happening across the board—at state agencies, in Florida’s business and professional community and even in our own homes.  At DBPR, we are focusing on cutting costs through increased efficiency.

Recently, we have targeted areas where we can increase efficiency for the department and for our licensees.  I would like to share some examples of our efforts with you. 

• We have 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.

• We have removed the requirement that applicants submit corporate documents.  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.

• We have implemented computer-based testing for Farm Labor.  The Farm Labor Contractor registration examination, previously administered through the pencil and paper, is now offered via computer at multiple sites throughout the state.

A few months ago I sent a letter to all of our board chairs asking them to be mindful of the current budget times and to help us look for ways to save our licensees money and increase efficiency.  Many of our boards and licensees have risen to this challenge. 

Recently, the chair of the Board of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Bob O’Neil, suggested that the board decline their statutorily authorized $50 daily board compensation.  The board agreed, and I would like to commend them on their dedication to public service.  In addition, our licensees, the Biscayne Bay Pilots Association, withdrew their application for a rate increase citing the distressed state of the economy and the possible impact to fellow stakeholders at the Port of Miami. 

It is inspiring to see what we can accomplish when we join together with a common purpose.  As we work through these tough times, I am confident we will be able to weather the storm with the support of one another.  I will continue to keep you informed about what the department and our partners are doing to support you.  You can find more information about our efforts by visiting MyFloridaLicense.com/dbpr/Accelerate_Florida.  I look forward to sharing our successes with you.

Sincerely,
Charles W. Drago
Secretary

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Message From The Board Chair, Herman White

Greetings!  I hope this note finds you and your families well.  I realize that 2008 was a very challenging year for many due to the economy of our nation and our state.  I am hopeful that 2009 will be a much better year for all of us. 

As I mentioned in my last article, the National Association of Barber Boards of America (NABBA) hosted their annual conference in Washington, D.C., in September 2008.  The conference was attended by me, your Vice Chair, Carl Troup, as well as the board’s Executive Director, Robyn Barineau.  The information presented to the attendees was well done and very informative.  We all came away with some great new ideas, and I consider this conference the best I have ever attended.  The next conference will be held in Las Vegas in September 2009. 

During the last 18 months, our board has transitioned three new members.  Congratulations to our newest member, Ms. Julie Rivera.  Ms. Rivera resides in Hollywood and is currently a barbering instructor.  We look forward to working with her.  Finally, we say farewell to long-time board member, Ms. Jeri Scott.  Ms. Scott was an invaluable asset to the board, and she will be missed by all.

Our board meeting schedule is posted in this newsletter.  Please mark your calendar and make plans to attend a meeting.  Our meetings are always open to the public.  The meeting locations are posted on the board’s Web site at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Direct to Our Divisions > Barbers.

Statutorily, the board’s make up, when all appointments have been made, is comprised of seven members.  However, when you come to a board meeting, there are many others who make the meeting work.  These staff people are our Executive Director, Robyn Barineau, and our Government Analyst, Dana Ewaldt.  Without these two bright and resourceful ladies, not much would ever get done!  Thank you, Robyn and Dana, for your patience and your hard work.

In the last newsletter, I mentioned a special barber, Mr. Joe Brown.  Mr. Joe was 93 on March 11.  Back in November, the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Mr. Charles Drago, presented a certificate of merit for 69 years as a barber.  I would like to thank Secretary Drago for such a positive gesture.  Mr. Joe was delighted, and Secretary Drago and the department got a full-page spread in the Pensacola News Journal.

Herman White, Chair
Florida Barbers’ Board

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Message from the Executive Director,
Robyn Barineau

I hope this message finds each of you enjoying your new year and looking forward to what lies ahead in 2009  I would like to take this opportunity to share some barbering news with you.

Since our last newsletter, the supervised practice exception rule (Rule 61G3-16.010, Florida Administrative Code) has been amended.  It is crucial that you be aware of this change as it will impact when you can allow a Florida barbering student who is not yet licensed to work in your barbershop.

If a Florida barbering student passes his or her first licensing exam, the student may work in a licensed barbershop:

• under the supervision of a licensed barber who is physically present when the student is working; and
• so long as the student posts his or her exam results and a recent photo at his or her station.

If a Florida barbering student fails either the written or the practical exam, he or she may not work until:

• he or she applies to the department for reexamination;
• he or she provides the salon owner with a copy of his or her reexam application and the exam authorization letter from the department or the testing vendor; and
• he or she posts exam results for both exams and a recent photo at their station.

In order to continue working, a barbering student has 180 days from the date of his or her first exam to complete both exams.  Should the student fail one or both exams a second time, the student cannot work until he or she successfully passes both exams and receives a barber license from the department.

This rule amendment was effective December 29, 2008.  The full text of the rule is provided in this newsletter or at the board’s Web site at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Direct to Our Divisions > Barbers.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation and your board remain diligent about combating unlicensed activity in the barbering industry.  There remains a toll-free telephone number to contact if you are aware of any unlicensed activity going on in your area.  That toll-free telephone number is 1.866.532.1440, or, you may download a Uniform Complaint Form located at www.MyFloridaLicense.com and mail it to the department once it has been completed.  It is incumbent upon you to assist us by reporting unlicensed activity to the department.  You have worked hard to obtain and maintain your license and others should be held to the same standards.

Finally, should your schedule permit, please join us for a board meeting.  We have scheduled all 2009 meetings, and a complete list of the dates and locations is included in this newsletter.  I hope to see you in the future.

Robyn Barineau, Executive Director
Florida Barbers' Board

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Rule Update

The most recent board rule amendment is listed below.  A complete text of all rules can be viewed on the board’s Web page at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Direct to Our Divisions > Barbers.

61G3-16.010 Supervised Practice Exception.

(1) Following the completion of both the written and practical portions of the first licensing examination by an applicant for licensure as a barber by examination who has completed the barber training required by Chapter 476, F.S. and Rule 61G3-16.001, F.A.C., the applicant is eligible to practice as a barber and perform barbering services temporarily in a current, actively licensed barbershop under the following conditions:

(a) In the event an applicant obtains passing scores on the first attempt of both the written and practical portions of the examination, the applicant shall be eligible, prior to having the application acted on by the Board, to practice in a licensed barbershop, provided that the applicant post the examination results for both portions of the examination at the work station with a recent photograph affixed thereto.

(b) In the event that the applicant fails to obtain a passing score on either or both of the written or practical portion of the examination on the first attempt, the applicant shall not be eligible to practice under this rule until the applicant:

1. Applies to the Department for authorization to retake the failed portion(s) of the examination; and

2. Presents the holder of the license for the barbershop a copy of both the reexamination application and the examination scheduling authorization letter from the department or the testing vendor.

3. Upon completion of these conditions, the applicant is eligible to practice in a licensed barbershop subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) referenced below, provided that the applicant posts the examination results for both portions of the examination at the work station with a recent photograph affixed thereto.  The applicant must discontinue practicing when 180 days have passed from the date the written or practical portion of the first examination was taken, whichever portion was taken earlier, if reexamination has not yet been completed. Under no circumstances shall the applicant be eligible to practice prior to having applied for reexamination and having obtained the examination scheduling authorization letter from the department or testing vendor.

(c) All barbering services performed by the applicant under this exception shall be performed under the supervision of a licensed barber. “Under the supervision of a licensed barber” shall mean that an individual who then holds a current, active Florida license as a barber shall be physically present at all times when the applicant is performing barbering services.

(2) In the event an applicant, who previously failed either or both portions of the examination on the first attempt, fails to obtain a passing score on either or both portions of the second licensure examination, the applicant is no longer eligible to practice as a barber under this exception and must immediately discontinue practicing barbering services until the applicant has been issued a license to practice by the Department.

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Helpful Reminders

• In accordance with Rule 61G3-19.009(2), Florida Administrative Code, a barbershop is required to display its license within view of the front entrance of the barbershop or in the waiting area. 

• In accordance with Rule 61G3-19.011(9), Florida Administrative Code, the use of a brush, comb, or other barbering tool on more than one patron without being sanitized is prohibited.

• In accordance with Rule 61G3-19.009, Florida Administrative Code, all personal licenses must have attached a 2” X 2” photo taken within the last two years of the individual whose name appears on the license.  The license and photo must be permanently laminated. 

• Prior to the change of a barbershop’s name, location or ownership, a new barbershop application must be submitted to the department and a new license must be issued.

• Barbershop owners are responsible for ensuring that their shops are compliant with all law and rule requirements, and your operators are also in compliance with all law and rule requirements.  If a violation is detected in a shop, not only can the operator be cited for the violation, but the shop or its owner can be cited for the violation as well.

• In accordance with Rule 61G3-19.008, Florida Administrative Code, a licensed cosmetologist is authorized to work in a licensed barbershop provided the barbershop also employs a licensed barber.  You must ensure that a licensed cosmetologist working in a licensed barbershop is compliant with all law and rule requirements for the barbershop as well as the laws and rule requirements for their operator’s license.

• Fish pedicures are not allowed in cosmetology salons.  The practice is a violation of Board of Cosmetology Rule 61G5-20.002(1)(c)4., Florida Administrative Code, which prohibits animals or pets inside a salon or barbershop, with the exception of closed aquariums or trained animals to assist the hearing or visually impaired, or the physically disabled.  Additionally, the practice is a violation of Board of Cosmetology Rule 61G5-20.002(2)(g), Florida Administrative Code, which provides the requirements for sanitation and disinfection of pedicure equipment.  A violation of these rules could result in disciplinary action. 

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Material Data Safety Sheets

Did you know that whenever you purchase products from a supply store you can request a material data safety sheet (MSDS)?  Supply stores are required to provide you with an MSDS if you ask for one.  An MSDS will inform you of the ingredients contained in a product and the potential hazards of the product. 

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Licensee Numbers

As of January 31, 2009, the Florida Barbers’ Board has the following licensure numbers:

Barbers:   

• Current, Active:                 9,064
• Current, Inactive:                 181

Restricted Barbers:

• Current, Active:                    825
• Current, Inactive:                     1

Barbershops:

• Current, Active:                 2,399

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Contact Information Updates

Please help us by notifying the Department when your address, telephone number, and/or e-mail changes. Service by regular mail to a licensee¹s last known address of record constitutes adequate and sufficient notice to the licensee for any official communication, so it is important that your contact information is correct.

You may change your mailing address using our online services at www.MyFloridaLicense.com. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, or need assistance using the online services menu, please telephone the Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395 or send an e-mail to Call.Center@dbpr.state.fl.us.

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The Correct Zip Code Makes a Difference!

The Department's Bureau of Central Intake and Licensure, located within the Division of Service Operations, receives and processes your license applications. To ensure your application and required documentation is sent directly to the Bureau of Central Intake and Licensure section for processing, always use the correct zip code, "plus-4" on all correspondence you send to us. The "plus-4" refers to the unique four-digit code that identifies the divisions and offices within the Department.

The proper zip code, plus-4 for the Bureau of Central Intake and Licensure is 32399-0783.

Thanks for helping us serve you better!

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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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