January 16, 2009

Dear Friends:

This week when I presented to the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries, I had the opportunity to share a great achievement for those seeking careers in Certified Public Accounting. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation has reduced the processing of exam scores for CPAs by more than half—from three months to as soon as two weeks.

This is a perfect example of how we discovered an issue, researched it, and solved it. A CPA applicant had received her passing exam score from the National Association of State Board of Accountancy and was ready to apply to become a CPA; however, she had not received the application package from DBPR, which is sent after the department receives passing exam scores. The reason there was a lag between the time when she received her scores and when the department received them was because the national association was only transmitting results twice per three-month period. Some applicants could pass an exam and have results in-hand yet still wait up to three months before DBPR could send the application package.

By working with the National Association of State Board of Accountancy, the association that provides the scores, we now receive exam results 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.

This change is at the heart of Governor Crist's "Accelerate Florida" and will help Floridians get to work faster. Certified Public Accountants can now enjoy a faster path to their careers.

On a final note, I'd like to wish you all a wonderful Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, a time when we can all reflect on and be grateful for this great civil rights leader who made our nation a better place for all.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Drago
Secretary

Department of Business and
Professional Regulation
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Customer Contact Center:
850.487.1395
www.MyFloridaLicense.com