DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears Applauds Governor DeSantis’ 2020 State of the State Address

 

For Immediate Release

January 14, 2020

 Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981
 

DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears Applauds Governor DeSantis’ 2020 State of the State Address

Agency Remains Committed to Accomplishing the Governor’s Agenda on Regulatory Reform

 

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Halsey Beshears applauded Governor Ron DeSantis’ 2020 State of the State address and continued commitment to occupational license reform. As a result of the Governor’s Deregathon initiative and efforts by DBPR and Florida’s professional licensing boards over the past year, Florida’s approach to occupational licensing and the regulatory channels that facilitate licensure and compliance for more than 1.4 million state license holders continues to improve. As the 2020 legislative session begins, DPBR remains committed to improving Florida’s regulatory environment and reducing the barriers to professional licensure.

 

DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears said, “I applaud Governor DeSantis on his State of the State address and commitment to removing burdensome regulations for hardworking Floridians. His leadership on occupational licensing reform is resulting in real improvements to the state’s business and professional climate. I look forward to continuing our work on these issues together in 2020 and throughout the legislative session.”

 

Secretary Beshears also highlighted some of the 2019 accomplishments to build upon, in collaboration with Governor DeSantis’ 2020 initiatives, including:

 

·         The Department established a roadmap for occupational license reform in collaboration with the seventeen professional licensing boards, which resulted in more than 50 administrative rules being repealed or changed to resolve unnecessary regulatory burdens during the past year.

·         Rule modifications reduced barriers of professional entry into many of the department’s regulated occupations by reducing license fees, reducing minimum-hour requirements of pre-licensure and continuing professional education, and easing restrictions on frequency of examination and application that have previously delayed Floridians from achieving the licensure required for them to begin practicing in their respective professional field.

·         Some of the regulatory improvements include:

    • Reduction in pre-qualifying education and experience required for licensure by more than 1600 hours across several regulated professions, including residential appraisers, restricted barbers and community association managers
    • Streamlined veterinarian licensure to a single step process, allowing applicants to submit all required fees upfront with their application resulting in automatic issue of the license upon the department’s receipt of a passing exam score, which results in a license to be issued within 48 hours of the applicant passing the exam
    • Revised a rule to allow for continuous testing for the certified public accounting exam
    • Capped the continuing education requirement to reinstate an inactive Certified Public Accounting license at 120 hours

·         These efforts resulted in fee reductions for many of the professions regulated by DPBR, including:

    • Reduction in  the biennial renewal fees by 50 percent for all real estate licensees, which will result in an $8.8 million dollar savings to licensees
    • Lowering of the athlete agents application fee by 50% from $500 to $250
    • Reduction in the continuing education provider fees by 50% for the mold and home inspector professions from $250 to $125
    • Reduction in all individual and business initial licensure fees for architecture and interior design that were over $50.00 by $25.00 each
    • Reduction of the reactivation fee for architecture and interior design licenses from $100.00 to $75.00, the examination review fee from $75.00 to $50.00, and the renewal fees for individual and business licenses from $125.00 to $100.00

 

DBPR is committed to these bold initiatives in order to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information please go to www.myfloridalicense.com.

 

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, including accountants, architects and interior designers, asbestos consultants, athlete agents, auctioneers, barbers, building code administrators and inspectors, community association managers, construction contractors, cosmetologists, electrical contractors, employee leasing companies, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, mold assessors and remediators, pilot commissioners, real estate appraisers and brokers, and veterinarians, as well as businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food service, public lodging, pari-mutuel wagering, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements.  The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly.  For more information, please visit www.myfloridalicense.com.

 

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.
 
January 14, 2020 /  
Florida DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears Highlights 2019 Agency Successes

 

For Immediate Release

December 23, 2019

 Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981
 

Florida DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears Highlights 2019 Agency Successes

Agency’s Primary Focus on Occupational Licensing Reform has Resulted in Increased Access to Employment for Floridians

 

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Halsey Beshears highlighted a series of achievements on occupational licensing reform initiatives and advancements in the delivery of regulatory services that have been part of the agency’s priority focus throughout 2019. From these successful initiatives, Florida’s approach to occupational licensing and the regulatory channels that facilitate licensure and compliance for more than 1.4 million state license holders continues to improve.

 

Starting with the recommendations arising from the Florida Deregathon launched by Governor DeSantis in January, a first-of-its-kind convening of all seventeen professional licensing boards, the Department established a roadmap for reform that has resulted in more than 50 administrative rules being repealed or changed to decrease unnecessary regulatory burdens. These rule modifications have pushed back barriers of professional entry into many of the department’s regulated occupations by reducing license fees, reducing minimum-hour requirements of pre-licensure and continuing professional education, and easing restrictions on frequency of examination and application that have previously delayed Floridians from achieving the licensure required for them to begin practicing in their respective professional field.

 

Governor Ron DeSantis said, “At the Florida Deregathon, we kickstarted a reform plan that has already returned real results through the follow-up actions led by Secretary Beshears and our professionals serving on Florida’s occupational licensing boards. As these regulatory initiatives continue at DBPR, we will continue to create more opportunity for Floridians for many years to come.”

 

Among the occupational licensing reform measures accomplished in 2019, Secretary Beshears highlighted:

  • Facilitated rule development to achieve a 50-percent reduction in pre-licensure education hours for restricted barber applicants from 1200 to 600 hours
  • Streamlined veterinarian licensure to a single step process, allowing applicants to submit all required fees upfront with their application resulting in automatic issue of the license upon the department’s receipt of a passing exam score, which results in a license to be issued within 48 hours of the applicant passing the exam
  • Revised a rule to allow for continuous testing for the certified public accounting exam
  • Capped the continuing education requirement to reinstate an inactive Certified Public Accounting license at 120 hours
  • Reduced the biennial renewal fees by 50 percent for all real estate licensees, which will result in an $8.8 million dollar savings to licensees
  • Reduced pre-qualifying education and experience required for licensure by more than 1600 hours across several regulated professions, including residential appraisers, restricted barbers and community association managers
  • Lowered the athlete agents application fee by 50% from $500 to $250
  • Reduced the continuing education provider fees by 50% for the mold and home inspector professions from $250 to $125
  • Decreased all individual and business initial licensure fees for architecture and interior design that were over $50.00 by $25.00 each
  • Reduced the reactivation fee for architecture and interior design licenses from $100.00 to $75.00, the examination review fee from $75.00 to $50.00, and the renewal fees for individual and business licenses from $125.00 to $100.00

 

DBPR Secretary Beshears said, “We have worked diligently at DBPR this year to reduce regulatory burdens and increase operational advancements in order to create an environment where Floridians can build a business or start a professional career. Governor DeSantis’ support of these priorities and our accomplishments this year are making a real difference for hardworking Floridians.”

 

Secretary Beshears also highlighted improvements in the processes and performance of the agency in delivering regulatory services, including:

  • Developed more than 650 online transactions for initial licensure that will make available licensure applications for convenient filing at any hour of any day
  • Implemented an innovative way to expedite the licensing process for the following professions:  certified public accountants; cosmetology; barbers; landscape architecture, auctioneers, and building code administrators and inspectors by allowing licensees to print the license at their convenience, as well as print duplicate licenses as needed without paying a fee
  • Increased public education outreach to condominium associations and launched an online appointment scheduler for citizen condominium complaint resolution
  • Launched a web-based education provider reporting portal to report continuing education completion records to the department
  • Established broader flexibility for Florida-licensed prescription drug distributors to bring prescription drugs into the state from Alabama and Georgia during declared Florida emergencies, such as hurricanes
  • Launched an automated process for the licenses in the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering to shift from manual drafting of deficiency letters for applicants who fail to provide adequate information in their application to an automated process

 

Secretary Beshears also emphasized numerous accomplishments within other departmental programs, including:

  • Launched the second phase of the Florida Business Information Portal, incorporating new information and tools for prospective business owners and professionals to review local licensure requirements particular to the county in which the business will be located.
  • Adopted the 2017 Food and Drug Administration Food Code, which establishes practical, science-based guidance and enforceable provisions for reducing risk factors known to cause or contribute to foodborne illness
  • Implemented certification practices for human trafficking training programs required of public lodging establishments
  • Distributed more than 72,000 health information flyers to restaurants throughout the state as part of proactive, coordinated approach to reducing the Hepatitis A outbreak.
  • Sanctioned two major Ultimate Fighting Championship events, resulting in substantial economic impact
  • Updated the Florida Boxing Commission’s prohibited substances rules to align with uniform World Anti-Doping Agency standards
  • Provided a rule update to create an avenue within law to allow oxygen to be provided  to designated Florida shelters during emergencies
  • Participated in 33 local outreach meetings following Hurricane Michael to share information related to licensure verification and risks of unlicensed activity
  • Conducted 8 unlicensed contractor activity sting operations in response to Hurricane Michael with the Construction Fraud Task Force, resulting in 30 arrests and 114 sweeps of the damaged area resulting in 27 open cases

 

For more information please visit www.myfloridalicense.com.

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December 23, 2019 /  
Florida DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears Applauds Governor DeSantis’ Bolder, Brighter, Better Future Budget

 

For Immediate Release

November 18, 2019

 Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

 

 

Florida DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears Applauds Governor DeSantis’ Bolder, Brighter, Better Future Budget

 

The Secretary Affirmed the Budget Reflects the Governor’s Vision of Reducing Barriers of Entry
to Professional Careers for Floridians

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears applauded Governor Ron DeSantis’ bold budget recommendations and affirmed these budget plans will guide a continued commitment to regulatory reforms that enhance Florida’s business climate and the occupational opportunities of all Floridians.

“With today’s FY 2020-21 budget recommendations, Governor DeSantis has signaled continued support for the department’s core regulatory mission and the regulatory reform priorities he has established through his commitment to Florida’s hardworking families. With this direction, we will maintain focus on regulatory reductions and operational advancements that are essential to creating careers, building businesses, and enhancing professional opportunities throughout our state,” said DBPR Secretary Beshears.

The FY 2020-21 budget recommendations will equip DBPR to continue leading Governor DeSantis’ agenda for improving Florida’s regulatory environment and ensuring public safety and welfare by:

* Maintaining a clear focus on opening pathways to professional careers through identification and execution of meaningful regulatory reforms, with particular emphasis on ensuring entry requirements for licensure are reasonable and achievable for all Floridians;
* Supporting legislative progress toward statutory amendments that are critical to reforming Florida’s approach to occupational licensing requirements;
* Deploying new resources in food and lodging regulation towards training and awareness that supports Florida’s collaborative efforts to prevent and deter human trafficking networks;
* Streamlining investigative processes that minimize business burdens and maximize regulatory capacity towards effectively serving both licensed stakeholders and their patrons; and
* Advancing standards of service and channels of communication between the agency and regulated stakeholders that make licensing and compliance functions more accessible and more efficient for applicants and licensed parties.

For more details on Governor DeSantis’ Bolder, Brighter, Better Future budget, please visit www.BolderBrighterBetterFuture.com.

November 18, 2019 /  
Florida DBPR Orders Emergency Suspension of Professional Engineer License No. 76807

 

For Immediate Release

November 6, 2019

 Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

 

 

Florida DBPR Orders Emergency Suspension  of Professional Engineer License No. 76807

 

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) reported the emergency suspension of a professional engineer license related to:

 

Licensee Name:       John H. Bretz

License Number:     76807

License Type:           Professional Engineer

County:                      Polk

Upon the entry of the order of Secretary Halsey Beshears, the license is suspended, effective immediately, until further administrative proceedings seeking formal discipline of the license of John H. Bretz may be instituted pursuant to chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

This emergency license action is based on a finding that immediate danger to public health, safety, or welfare requires suspension of the license to avoid future harm.  The attached agency order, as filed on November 5, 2019, provides additional information regarding the circumstances and findings prompting the emergency suspension of License Number 76807.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, including accountants, architects and interior designers, asbestos consultants, athlete agents, auctioneers, barbers, building code administrators and inspectors, community association managers, construction contractors, cosmetologists, electrical contractors, employee leasing companies, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, mold assessors and remediators, pilot commissioners, real estate appraisers and brokers, and veterinarians, as well as businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food service, public lodging, pari-mutuel wagering, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements.  The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly.  For more information, please visit www.myfloridalicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

November 6, 2019 /  
Florida Board of Accountancy Announces Clay Ford Scholarship Recipients for CPA students

For Immediate Release

August 23, 2019

 Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

Florida Board of Accountancy Announces Clay Ford Scholarship Recipients for CPA students

$200,000 awarded to deserving college students through annual scholarship

Gainesville, Fla. – The Florida Board of Accountancy (FBA), a professional regulation board of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), today announced the 2019 recipients of the Clay Ford Scholarship which is awarded to minority students who are pursuing their fifth year of an approved accounting education program which is required to become a certified public accountant (CPA).

“I’m very proud of these deserving students as they work on completing their requirements to become a licensed CPA,” said DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears. “Through the contributions of current licensed accountants, the Clay Ford Scholarship provides a pathway for recipients to finish their education and jumpstart their accounting careers.”

The Clay Ford scholarships are administered through the CPA Education Minority Assistance Program, which was created in 1999 to encourage minorities to enter the CPA profession. The scholarships are awarded on a combination of criteria related to both financial need and scholastic ability and performance.

The CPA Education Minority Assistance Program is funded by a portion from each individual and CPA firm license fee. Through the award, scholarship applicants may be awarded up to $6,000 per semester for a maximum of two semesters.

2019 Clay Ford Scholarship recipients include:

  • Amanda Aflalo (University of South Florida)
  • Julia Blair (Florida State University)
  • Anne Bryant (Stetson University)
  • Genisa Callwood (Stetson University)
  • Ivan A. Cardenas Jr. (University of Central Florida)
  • Alfredo Cortez (Florida State University)
  • Christy Evans (University of Florida)
  • Charvae Gaines (Florida Atlantic University)
  • Nataly Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern University)
  • Jennifer Gravitt (Florida State University)
  • Pierce LaPrey (Florida Gulf Coast University)
  • Ashley Lezniewicz (Stetson University)
  • Kristie Millan (Warner University)
  • Stephanie Murphy (Webber International University)
  • Nicole Ordway (University of North Florida)
  • Isis Perez (Florida International University)
  • Tiffany Pham (University of Tampa)
  • Daniel Prinz (Florida International University)
  • Miguel Santana (Florida International University)
  • Loidys Scott (Florida International University)
  • Fatima Zapata de Rivero (University of Miami)

Applications are accepted each year on a rolling basis and will be applied to the appropriate school year. The deadline for applications for the 2020 – 2021 school year is June 1, 2020. Applications are available online at www.myfloridalicense.com/CPAScholarship.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, including accountants, architects and interior designers, asbestos consultants, athlete agents, auctioneers, barbers, building code administrators and inspectors, community association managers, construction contractors, cosmetologists, electrical contractors, employee leasing companies, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, mold assessors and remediators, pilot commissioners, real estate appraisers and brokers, and veterinarians, as well as businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food service, public lodging, pari-mutuel wagering, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements.  The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly.  For more information, please visit www.myfloridalicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

 

August 23, 2019 /