In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Board Chair
• Message From the Executive Director
• Important News
• Rule Update
• Helpful Reminders
• 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 Board Chair, Herman White

Hello, fellow Florida barbers.  I hope this finds you happy, healthy and successful. 

Make note that the National Association of Barber Boards of America (NABBA) is hosting their annual conference in Washington, D.C., beginning on Sept. 18.  This gathering will be informative, thought provoking, and fun.  It is a great opportunity for your Board members and staff delegates to share ideas on how to enhance the barbering profession and to see how barbers are faring in other states.

Congratulations to our new Board members, Eddie Stewart and Tommy Vaughn.  We are looking forward to their energy and input on this board. 

Make plans to attend the next Board meeting to meet your Board members and Board staff.  You are always welcome to attend these open meetings.  The meeting locations are posted on the board’s Web site at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Direct to Our Divisions > Barbers.

Finally, how many of you have a special person who inspired your personal and professional life?  For me, that person is Mr. Joe Brown from Pensacola.  Joe is a bright and personable young man of 92.  He has been a licensed barber in the state of Florida since 1937!  He just finished his 71st year behind the barber chair.  Joe works four days a week and has never met a stranger.  Joe seldom talks about the past.  He says that, “it has been a great ride.”  One that I hope has a long time to go.  Thanks for inspiring me, Joe.

Herman White, Chair
Florida Barbers’ Board

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Message from the Executive Director,
Robyn Barineau

Greetings, Florida barbers!  I would like to share some important barbering news with you since our last publication.

First of all, the Board welcomed two new members as of April 28, 2008.  Long-time barbers Eddie Stewart and Tommy Vaughn were appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to serve on the Florida Barbers’ Board.  These two gentlemen attended their first meeting on May 19 in Orlando.  I look forward to working closely with Mr. Stewart and Mr. Vaughn, and I appreciate their commitment to serve on this Board.

As I mentioned in our last newsletter, the Board was in the process of developing a rule to require that all individual licensees permanently laminate their license, including a 2” X 2” photograph taken within the previous two years, for posting at their workstation.  This rule amendment was effective March 6, 2008.  Licensees had until July 1, 2008, to comply with this requirement or they will be subject to discipline.  The full text of the rule can be accessed in this newsletter or at the Board’s website at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Direct to Our Divisions > Barbers.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation and your Board are very concerned about unlicensed activity in the barbering industry.  So much so, that there is 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 police your area and report 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, please note that the Board has planned its 2008 and 2009 meeting schedules so that you can make arrangements to attend a Board meeting.  A complete listing of the proposed meeting dates and locations are included in this newsletter.  You are always encouraged to attend to learn more about the work of the Board and your industry.  I know you will find the Board business to be interesting and informative.  I hope to be able to make your acquaintance at a meeting.

Robyn Barineau, Executive Director
Florida Barbers' Board

Florida Barber Month Proclamation

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Important News

Fee Holiday

If you are a barbershop owner, your renewal notice will be mailed to you around the middle of August.  Because of the large account balance in your Board’s operating account and because the account is projected to maintain a positive cash balance for at least five years, this profession will receive a renewal fee holiday.  This means that the only fee you will be required to pay for the upcoming renewal of your barbershop license will be the $5 unlicensed activity fee.

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Rule Update

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

61G3-19.009  Display of License.

(1) A current personal license shall be displayed at all times at the barber’s place of employment in plain view of the work station. The license or registration on display shall be the original certificate or a duplicate issued by the Department and shall have attached a 2'' by 2'' photograph taken within the previous two years of the individual whose name appears on the certificate. The certificate with photograph attached shall be permanently laminated as of July 1, 2008. A photograph of the licensee, approximately two inches by two inches and less than two years old shall be attached to the displayed license.

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Helpful Reminders

• In accordance with Rule 61G3-19.009(2), Florida Administrative Code, a barbershop is required to display their 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.

• 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 shop is 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.

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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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