March 2012

In This Issue:

• Message from the Secretary
• Message from the Board Chair
• Message from the Executive Director
• Recent Department Initiatives
• License Application Center
• Improved Online Applications
• Renew Your License Online
• DBPR Smart Phone App
• eNewsroom

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Message From The Secretary,
Ken Lawson

To our licensees and partners:

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect, assess and create yearly goals, both personally and professionally. Since the first of the year, I have done just that and I have asked my Senior Management team to as well. They have been working diligently on their goals for 2012, and I am excited to see how our goals will come to fruition for the citizens of Florida this year.

We are committed to making our licensing processes more efficient for our customers, and are devoted to keeping citizens of Florida and visitors to the state safe by regulating businesses and professionals to ensure that health and safety standards are met.

As always, we strive to be the best and if there is something we can improve, we want to know. Thank you for allowing us to continue serving you in 2012.

Ken Lawson
Secretary, Department of Business and Professional Regulation

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Message from the Board Chair,
John Ehrig

The Board of Architecture and Interior Design (BOAID) closed out the 2011 year with many changes: 

Governor Scott recently reappointed one member and appointed four new members to the Board. In June, Warren Emo, an architect from Tallahassee, was reappointed to serve a term that will expire on October 31, 2013. In October, Kenan Ann Fishburne, an interior designer from Quincy, succeeded Joyce Shore and will serve until October 31, 2014.  In November, Francisco “Frank” Costoya, Jr, an architect from Plantation, was added to the Board and will serve until October 31, 2014 as well.  In December, Miguel Rodriguez, an architect from Coral Gables, succeeded E. Wendell Hall and will serve until October 31, 2015. Finally, John Toppe, an architect from St. Petersburg succeeded Johnstone Reid and will serve until October 31, 2013. We would like to thank Joyce, Wendell and Johnstone for their dedicated service to the Board. We look forward to working with Warren, Kenan, Frank, Miguel and John in the years to come.

You are probably aware that since 2009 the Board has been involved in a legal challenge to the constitutionality of several parts of its practice act, specifically interior design.  In 2009, the National Federation of Independent Business, along with three individuals, filed suit in United States District Court. Federal District Judge Robert L. Hinkle entered an order in the case of Locke v. Shore in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Under this ruling a person must be a registered interior designer to provide commercial interior design services in the State of Florida. However, any person may use the title “interior designer” regardless of whether or not they hold a Florida license. A person may provide residential interior design services and may advertise herself/himself as an “interior designer” without a license. This ruling does not change the statutes in Chapter 481 but does impact how the Board enforces the statutes. Judge Hinkle’s ruling was subsequently appealed by the plaintiff.  The appeal was heard in November of 2011 at the Court of Appeals in Birmingham, Alabama and the three judge tribunal upheld the original opinion. The plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and it was denied.

Due to the current economic situation, a number of individuals have become unemployed, changed employment situations or decided to start their own firms. As a reminder, it is a requirement for each licensed architect and interior designer to keep the Board informed of your address.  Please notify the Board of any changes in your contact information. 

It has been my pleasure serving as Chair for this past year and I look forward to continuing my service on the Board in the future.  I want to wish you all a successful 2012!

Most sincerely,
John P. Ehrig, FAIA, LEED BD+C
Chair, Board of Architecture and Interior Design

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Message from the Executive Director,
Anthony B. Spivey, DBA

Audit of Completion of Continuing Education

The Board of Architecture and Interior Design conducted an audit in August of this year to review compliance of continuing education. Please remember that as a licensed architect or interior designer, you are required to maintain proof of your continuing education course completion certificates. Verification of compliance is performed shortly after the renewal cycle. You may obtain an updated copy of the Architecture and Interior Design Continuing Education Handbook for licensees at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/arch/index.html.  Failure to respond to the audit or comply with continuing education requirements could result in disciplinary action against your license.

Reminder about Reporting Requirement for Criminal Convictions

Section 455.227(1)(t), F.S. requires all professional licensees to report to the Department within 30 days of being convicted or found guilty of, or having plead nolo contendere or guilty to a crime in any jurisdiction. A licensee who fails to report that information may be subject to disciplinary action, including fines, suspension or license revocation.  To report this information, complete the criminal self-reporting document.  Upon completion of the form, please mail it to Smith, Thompson, Shaw, Minacci, and Colon, P.A., located at 3520 Thomasville Road 4th Floor, Tallahassee, Florida 32309, attention Mr. David Minacci, Esquire.

Until next time,

Anthony B. Spivey, DBA
Executive Director
Board of Architecture and Interior Design

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Recent Department Initiatives

As part of our ongoing effort to improve communication with licensees and the inspection process, we launched the “Bill of Rights” initiative last year. Inspectors now hand out “Bill of Rights” cards at the beginning of every inspection. The card explains the high standards and professional treatment licensees have a right to expect from department staff and provides a way for licensees to submit feedback on their inspection process directly to the inspectors’ supervisors.

Additionally, we are committed to streamlining processes and eliminating burdensome and unnecessary regulation. As a result of licensee feedback, we have upgraded many of our license application processes and many more upgrades are expected.

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License Application Center

In our continuing effort to provide better customer service, we have improved our website home page and created a user-friendly application center. Application features include a full list of license types, a list of detailed license requirements before each application, separate entry points for applications and renewals, and a page called "Services Requiring a DBPR License," which is designed to help consumers determine what services require a license from the Department.

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Improved Online Applications

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation has improved online applications for new licensees.

The most significant change is that the upgraded system requires all users – even those who have had online accounts with our Department for years – to create a one-time registration profile before accessing the system. Once the new profile has been created and you have supplied your license number, the system automatically transfers all data associated with your old account. Additionally, if you had to manage multiple accounts under the old system to manage all of your licenses, you will be able to link them all into the new single profile.

Applicants now have the ability to upload required documents, allowing them to fully complete and submit applications online. This enhancement ensures that applications and supporting documentation submitted online will remain together. The online system allows for faster processing times, thus getting our licensees to work more quickly. The upgraded system also provides licensees many new online services, including the ability to:

• Register with an email address and secure password;

• Receive registration confirmation via email confirmation;

• Link an existing license(s) to online profile;

• Retrieve a forgotten password;

• Answer eligibility questions to ensure you are using the correct application;

• Attach necessary documents for licensure;

• Receive an application summary and payment summary via email;

• Check your application status;

• Log in and finish an incomplete application before submission, if you were not able to complete the application when initially applying;

• Make payments;

• View Continuing Education history, if applicable; and

• Maintain license relationships

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Renew Your License Online

To complete your renewal online, follow these instructions:

> Go to www.MyFloridaLicense.com.

> Click on “Renew Your License.”

>Read through the instructions and click “Continue.”

> Click on your profession type.

>Read through the instructions, take the tutorials or click “Continue to Online Services.”

> New users will need to “Create a New Online Profile.” Returning users will need to login.

> Complete all the required information and click “Next.”

> The user will receive an email with a temporary password and a link back to the system; the user will then be asked to supply a new password and enter it twice for confirmation; enter your email address and password and click “Log on.”

> The user will now need to link their license to their online account by selecting "Link an Existing License to My Account" on the left hand side of the screen; the user will need their license number and social security number.

> Select the correct license type to link from the drop down list, enter the license number, and click “Next.”

> Enter the user’s social security number, security measure, and click “Next.”

> Click “Add.”

> Click “Next” to continue linking the license.

> Select the license you intend to renew.

> The user can now select “Renew”; this is an introduction to the renewal requirements; click “Next” to continue.

> Renew – Name and Personal Details Screen – this is a view only screen; press "Next" to continue.

> Renew – Address Detail Summary – the user can update/add addresses; click "Next" to continue.

> Renew – Application Summary – allows a user to verify all details prior to submitting renewal; if anything needs to be revised, the user can click “Previous” to update; if everything is correct, click “Next” to continue.

> Renew – Attestation – the user will now attest that everything they have said is true by clicking on “Yes” and then on “Submit”; if the user clicks “No,” then they will not be able to proceed. > The user will now receive an email with an attached renewal summary pdf.

> Confirmation Screen – the user can now pay for their renewal by clicking “Pay Now.”

>After payment is made, the user will receive an Online Payment Summary pdf.

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DBPR Smart Phone App

Need to check a Florida license? There’s an app for that! Download the DBPR iPhone or Android app and stay connected with the Department. More>>

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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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Visit us on the Web at www.MyFloridaLicense.com