Jerry Wilson, Director
Division of Regulation
1940 N Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2212
Phone: 850.488.6603
Fax: 850.921.2124
- File a Complaint
- Contact Division
- Unlicensed Activity
- Inspection Program
- Child Labor Program
- Alternative Dispute
Resolution Program - Farm Labor Program
Division of Regulation
Unlicensed Activity ProgramOutreach and Education |
The department believes that the most effective way to reduce the number of people who fall victim to construction related, and other types of fraud each year, is to educate the consumer and to enlist the aid of the public and industry. For this reason, the Unlicensed Activity Program offers outreach programs to the public, to professional associations, and to law enforcement. The department reaches out to consumers in a variety of ways including presentations, home shows, and hurricane expositions. Licensees are encouraged to help us stop unlicensed activity too. Our outreach efforts to them include trade shows and association meetings. If you part of an interested organization, business, civic or neighborhood group please call our office and request that a representative from the department appear as a guest speaker at your meeting. We will consider requests on a first come, first serve basis.
When requesting a program please have the following information available:
Please contact us: 866.532.1440 orULA@dbpr.state.fl.us |
In addition, we are always looking for new partners and avenues to spread our message. Below are examples of some of our other efforts to educate the public about hiring unlicensed persons.
REG-ULA-Outreach-Education DBPR teams up with AARP to educate its members Division enters into partnership to educate consumers about unlicensed contractors DBPR and the Department of Elder Affairs join forces Media campaign focused on unlicensed activity Report Unlicensed Activity 24 hours a day Redesign of educational brochures to better inform consumers |
"Communities Against Senior Exploitation” (CASE) and DBPR team up to assist Seniors in avoiding unlicensed contractors The Ft. Walton Beach Regional Office (now Pensacola Satellite Office) entered into a community partnership with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office; (OCSO) called "Communities Against Senior Exploitation" (CASE), to prevent fraud and exploitation of older adults, and provide victim support. The Regional Office’s emphasis is on Construction/Home Improvement Fraud and Unlicensed Activity. CASE was launched in 2002 at the Denver District Attorney's Office. The OCSO is the second law enforcement agency in Florida to start and replicate this program (Lee County was the first).
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DBPR teams up with AARP to educate its members The Division of Regulation, with assistance from the Office of Communications, coordinated with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to provide information to its members via their monthly newsletter regarding unlicensed activity. |
Division enters into partnership to educate consumers about unlicensed contractors: Lowe's, Home Depot and DBPR work collaboratively to bring awareness to consumers and licensees about hiring licensed contractors Operation Big Box was an educational outreach held at Lowe’s and Home Depot Stores as part of the first week of hurricane season and tax free week for hurricane supplies. Investigators throughout the state set up tables at the entrance area of stores and spoke with contractors and consumers about hiring licensed contractors. Informational brochures and pamphlets about the department and unlicensed activity were also distributed. |
DBPR and the Department of Elder Affairs join forces In 2008 the division began a partnership with the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) to train DOEA’s staff and educate their senior clients throughout the state regarding unlicensed activity. Division staff has been called upon in each of the 10 regions by Elder Affairs coordinators to present during programs to both department staff and clients. This partnership has led to numerous outreach presentations statewide. In the Jacksonville region, the manager recorded an internet pod cast about unlicensed activity for one of the non profit groups under the Elder Affairs umbrella. |
Media campaign focused on unlicensed activity The division set aside funds for a media campaign addressing unlicensed activity. The division utilized the public relations expertise of the Office of Communications to spearhead this effort. In order to brand the campaign and provide consistent aesthetics and messaging, the Office of Communications used comic book-style graphics and similar language on each ad. By doing this, consumers can connect an advertisement for one profession, such as cosmetology, with an advertisement for another profession, such as construction. The end result - a cohesive campaign that establishes brand identity for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Through the work of the Office of Communications team, the division was able to receive national recognition in an article published by the Associated Press focusing on the investigators who work to combat unlicensed activity in the state. At the conclusion of a statewide operation in February 2009, the Office of Communications sent a news release to media throughout the state containing results, general information about unlicensed activity and tips for consumers. A reporter with the Associated Press became interested in the story. The reporter’s story was put on the wire with an accompanying TV segment. The story received national and international coverage. More than 111 media outlets picked up the story.
Report Unlicensed Activity 24 hours a day The Division of Regulation created an email account that is available 24 hours a day. Through this email address, consumers and licensees are now able to make anonymous tips of unlicensed activity, file Uniform Complaint Forms, and ask general questions and obtain assistance regarding unlicensed activity. The email address is ULA@dbpr.state.fl.us |
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The Division of Regulation and the volunteer group Seniors Vs. Crime continue to team up for outreach training and presentations to volunteers chapters and seniors around the state. The group is a valued partner in the effort to prevent economic crimes against the elderly. |
Redesign of education materials to better inform consumers The Division of Regulation and the Office of Communications teamed up to redesign important brochures to better inform consumer on how to hire licensed persons. These are distributed at outreach events. In addition many licensees include them with proposals as their way to educate their potential customers! Please visit our publications section for a full list of downloadable brochures. |
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In addition to monitoring the infamous Craigslist.org for the growing number of unlicensed persons, the Division of Regulation's Unlicensed Activity Analyst work daily to post tips about hiring licensed persons in the construction and electrical trades with links to verify licensure. Both consumers and licensees who use this site have expressed their appreciation for this creative approach to outreach.
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