In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Board Chair
• Message From The Executive Director
• Reminder about Reporting Requirement for Criminal Convictions
• Important Information
• Improved Online Applications
• Renew Your License Online
• DBPR Smart Phone App
• eNewsroom

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Message From The Secretary

To our licensees and partners:

Here at the Department, we take unlicensed activity very seriously and each day we are committed to preserving jobs for our licensed professionals through our unlicensed activity enforcement and education efforts. We know that unlicensed activity takes jobs away from licensed professionals who have met the standard requirements that certify his or her ability to provide a unique skill or service. It also puts the public at harm and is illegal.

As a licensed professional, you understand the effects unlicensed activity can have on other licensed professionals and the risks and/or harm it can pose on consumers. I ask that you join us in our efforts to stop unlicensed activity. Please feel free to notify us of any suspected unlicensed activity by emailing ULA@dbpr.state.fl.us or by calling 1-866-532-1440. Encourage your customers and potential customers to check licenses at www.myfloridalicense.com.

Through our combined efforts, we will continue to make Florida the best place to do business.

Ken Lawson
DBPR Secretary

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Message From The Board Chair

Construction activity, at least in the Central Florida area, may signal hope for cities and counties which have been forced to drastically slash building department staffing levels over the past several years.  Historically, however, local governments are reluctant to begin staffing back up until there is some certainty that the new activity will be sustained.  Third party (private) providers may fill the gaps, if only temporarily.  Either way, I am hopeful that more of this Board’s licensees may begin to find jobs.

This article attempts to address questions or issues which frequently arise from Board meetings or in other forums.  Continuing that tradition, I offer the following:

Who may exercise the statutory authorization of the building official in a government jurisdiction to perform inspections and plan reviews when not certified in each of the individual categories of performed?

That statutory authority is applicable when the person is 1) an employee of the government agency, 2) certified by this board as a Building Code Administrator, and 3) designated by the employer as the Building Official in the jurisdiction.  The privilege is not available to others employed by the same governmental agency who are also certified as Building Code Administrators but who are not the Building Official.  It is not available to private provider employees.

Can the Deputy or Assistant Building Official, in the temporary absence of the Building Official,  perform all inspection types and plan reviews if he/she holds a Building Code Administrator certification? 

The answer is found in the statutes and in the paragraph above . . . only the person designated by the governmental employer as the Building Official may perform those functions.  However, the person who is the designated Building Official would be ill-advised to perform any inspection or plan review in a category that he/she is not technically competent in, even though the statutes permit it. 

Can an individual recently designated or promoted to ‘Deputy’ or ‘Assistant’ Building Official qualify for a provisional certificate as a Building Code Administrator?

Provisional certifications (in any category) can only be approved for individuals who demonstrate that they have been newly hired or promoted to the position they seek provisional certification in.  In these cases, the position they would have to be hired for or promoted to is ‘Building Official’.  Deputy Building Official and Assistant Building Official are organizational titles, not positions that would qualify a person for provisional certification.

Can an individual receive provisional certification in any of the ‘voluntary’ certification categories allowed by rule?

Provisional certifications are not awarded since one must meet all of the requirements set forth for a standard certification. Standard certification is awarded to those who meet all of the requirements in the voluntary category they aspire to.  One and Two Family Dwelling Plans Examiner is, for instance, a voluntary category.  In order for a person to qualify in that category, he/she must 1) hold standard certification as a one- and two-family dwelling inspector, 2) have passed the State principles and practices examination, 3) hold a standard certificate as a plans examiner (any category), and 4) hold a Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI) or International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Coastal Construction Inspector.  If those qualifications are all met, a standard certification is awarded. 

Note: The information above represents general interpretation of the applicable statutes and rules and should not be relied upon as either a legal opinion or a declaratory statement from the Board.

The Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board salutes two recently departed members, Nick Sasso and Gerry Demers, with gratitude for their time and service.  We welcome, with high expectations, two new members: Tim Bolduc, Fort Walton Beach; and Rick Holmes, Bay County, both in Florida’s panhandle. 

Please join the Board at any public meeting for an often eye-opening education (and perhaps a few continuing education credits).

Bob McCormick, Chair
Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board

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Message from the Executive Director

I hope this newsletter finds each of you doing well and enjoying some warm, Florida sunshine.  With summer fast-approaching, we have to be prepared for one of Florida’s greatest potential disasters – hurricanes.  Take time now to make sure that you and your family are prepared.  It’s never too early to get your supplies, action plans, and other items ready.

Since our last newsletter, we said farewell to former Board member, Mr. Gerry Demers.  Mr. Demers was a valuable member.  We appreciate his service on the Board and wish him well.  We welcomed two new members, Mr. Tim Bolduc and Mr. Rick Holmes.  Both gentlemen work and reside in the panhandle of Florida.  We look forward to working with them and thank them for their service to the citizens of Florida and to the licensees of this Board.

The 2012 legislative session was a very busy one for building-related professions.  Some legislation which directly impacts our licensees includes the following:

• Chapter 2012-13, Laws of Florida – allows building departments to accept electronic plans; allows individuals who hold a fire safety inspector license and who have five years of verifiable, full-time experience in inspection or plan review, coupled with completion of a board-approved training program, to qualify to take the examination for an inspector or plans reviewer; and provisional licenses will only be good for one year unless the individual can show just cause why the license should be extended, but it will not be valid for more than three years – effective July 1, 2012.
  
• Chapter 2012-61, Laws of Florida – no licensee will be required to complete more than one cycle of continuing education to reactivate an inactive or delinquent license.  This law becomes effective July 1, 2012.
  
• Chapter 2012-72, Laws of Florida – licensees will be required to keep the Department advised of their current email address.  This law becomes effective October 1, 2012.

Here are a few items of interest since our last newsletter.  First, since December 2011, the Board reviewed more than 241 licensure applications and more than 74 continuing education applications.  The Board also conducted multiple informal hearings in licensure matters, reviewed and discussed disciplinary matters, discussed proposed rules and rule amendments and addressed various other important building-code related issues. 

We continue to work with the Division of State Fire Marshal (DSFM) on the implementation of legislation that allows for continuing education reciprocity with fire safety inspector licensees and any licenses held with the Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board.  Stay tuned to the Board’s website for the latest details on the Board’s progression with this important project. 

The Department is working on streamlining all Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board applications to make it easier for customers to understand the applications and to eliminate unnecessary burdens.  Stay tuned to the Board’s website for the latest details on this very important project.

Building Departments – do not forget to use the new surcharge reporting form for calculation of your quarterly surcharge reports to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.  The form can be accessed at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses & Professions > Building Code Administrators and Inspectors > Forms. 

The Board has tentatively scheduled its meetings through February 2013.  Be sure to check the complete Board meeting schedule included in this newsletter and the Board’s website at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses & Professions > Building Code Administrators > Board Meeting Information and Inspectors as meeting dates and locations are subject to change. 

Robyn Barineau, Executive Director
Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board

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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 and mail to the Department as provided on the form.

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Important Information

An Important Reminder About Limited Certificates

If you hold an active limited certification issued by the Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board or employ someone who holds a limited certification, you are reminded that the conditions attached to such certifications prohibit use of the limited certificate(s) if the employer or duties and/or responsibilities of the limited certificate holder change. These limitations are set forth in Section 468.609(6), Florida Statutes, and Rule 61G19-6.0011, Florida Administrative Code. As a certificate holder, you are deemed to have knowledge of the laws and rules governing your practice. Employing a limited certificate holder, or being employed as a limited certificate holder, in violation of these provisions, may subject the employer and the limited certification holder to discipline by the Board or Department, including restriction, suspension or revocation of certification, and a fine up to $5,000 per separate offense.

Technical Examinations Offered by Computer-based Testing

As a reminder, all technical examinations are offered by computer-based testing administration including the modular inspector exam, the modular plans examiner exam and the roofing inspector exam. For more information regarding examinations, refer to the Board’s webpage at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses and Professions > Building Code Administrators and Inspectors.

Reminders to Continuing Education Providers

• After a course has been approved by the Board, any substantive changes in the course content requires reapplication of the course to be submitted for approval by the Board – please see Rule 61G19-9.004(10), Florida Administrative Code.

• All individual license numbers should be included in the electronic file transfer to the Department to ensure proper credit for licensees. 

• After a licensee's completion of a course, the information must be submitted to the Department electronically no later than 30 calendar days thereafter.  However, the continuing education provider shall electronically report to the Department completion of a licensee’s course within 10 business days beginning on the 30th day before the renewal deadline or prior to the renewal date, whichever occurs first – please see Section 455.2178(1)(b), Florida Statutes.

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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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