In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From the Board Chair
• Message From The Executive Director
• Important Information
• Recent Department Initiatives
• Reminder about Reporting Requirement for Criminal Convictions
• 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
DBPR Secretary

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Message From The Board Chair, Dr. Robert O’Neil

Happy New Year.  It is hard to believe 2012 is already here and it is time to start thinking about licensure renewal.  Renewal notices will be mailed in February and the deadline to renew is May 31, 2012.  You must complete 30 hours of continuing education to renew.  This year the Board authorized a partial fee waiver of $50 for license renewal for active and inactive veterinarians.  

Please be aware of the renewal deadline because failure to renew will render your license delinquent.  Practicing on a delinquent license is a violation and could result in disciplinary action against your license.  Also, to renew a delinquent license to a current active license you must pay a delinquency fee. 

Should your schedule permit, please join us for a meeting. I believe you would find them to be very informative, and you can receive up to five hours of continuing education for attending. If you are unable to join us for a meeting, be sure to check the Board’s website for complete information on the deliberations of the board. You can find this information in the executive summaries and minutes of all board meetings.

I look forward to seeing you at a meeting in the near future.

Dr. Robert O’Neil, Chair
Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine

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Message from the Executive Director,
Juanita Chastain

Things are very active in Tallahassee with the early legislative session.  All eyes will be focused on our lawmakers, the state budget and our great citizens.

During the last two meetings of the Board, the Board reviewed more than 10 disciplinary cases and ratified more than 65 continuing education course applications.  The Board also conducted multiple informal hearings in licensure matters and discussed proposed rules, rule amendments and various other important veterinary-related issues. 

Board meetings have tentatively been scheduled through 2012.  The Board meeting schedule is available by visiting www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses and Professions > Veterinary Medicine > Board Meeting Information.  Please take a minute to review the schedule, and if possible attend a meeting when one is in your area. 

It is always a good idea to monitor your license status. “Current, active" indicates that the individual has met all licensure and renewal requirements and is able to practice with this license. “Current, inactive” indicates that the individual has renewed his or her license, but has elected not to use the license at this time. Certain fees and continuing education are required to reactivate an inactive license.

As of December 1, 2011, the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine had the following licensure numbers:

Veterinarians
Current, Active:	6,747
Current, Inactive:	226
Premises Permits
Current, Active:	1,928
Limited Service Permits
Current, Active:	91

 

Best wishes for a prosperous 2012.

Juanita Chastain
Executive Director
Board of Veterinary Medicine

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Important Information

Tasks Requiring Immediate Supervision

We often receive inquiries regarding tasks that may be delegated to office personnel.  The below rules provide clear definition as to what tasks may and may not be delegated. 

61G18-17.005 Tasks Requiring Immediate Supervision.

(1) All tasks which may be delegated to a veterinary aide, nurse, laboratory technician, intern, or other employee of a licensed veterinarian shall be performed only under the “immediate supervision” of a licensed veterinarian as that phrase is defined in subsection 474.202(5), F.S., with the exception of the following tasks which may be performed without the licensed veterinarian on the premises:

(a) The administration of medication and treatment, excluding vaccinations, as directed by the licensed veterinarian; and

(b) The obtaining of samples and the performance of those diagnostic tests, including radiographs, directed by the licensed veterinarian.

(2) The administration of anesthesia and tranquilization by a veterinary aide, nurse, laboratory technician, intern, or other employee of a licensed veterinarian requires “immediate supervision” as that phrase is defined in subsection 474.202(5), F.S.

(3) The administration of any vaccination by a veterinary aide, nurse, technician, intern or other employee of a licensed veterinarian which is not specifically prohibited by Rule 61G18-17.006, F.A.C., requires “immediate supervision” as that phrase is defined in subsection 474.202(5), F.S.

Immediate superivsion as defined in subsection 474.202(5), F.S., is defined to mean a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine is on the premises whenever veterinary services are being provided.

61G18-17.006 Diseases which Only a Veterinarian May Immunize or Treat.

For the purpose of implementing the exemption provisions of subsection 474.203(4), F.S., the Board recognizes that the following diseases are communicable to humans and are of public health significance, and that only a veterinarian may immunize or treat an animal for these diseases:

(1) Brucellosis.

(2) Tuberculosis.

(3) Rabies.

(4) Equine Encephalomyelitis.

For further research on the laws and rules you may go to www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses and Professions > Veterinary Medicine > Statutes and Rules.

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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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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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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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