DBPR Urges Floridians to Use Only Licensed Professionals for Home Repairs

 

For Immediate Release

October 11, 2022

Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

DBPR Urges Floridians to Use Only Licensed Professionals for Home Repairs
Avoid The Traps of Unlicensed Contractors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Melanie S. Griffin warns Florida homeowners impacted by Hurricane Ian to be alert and reject fraudulent and illegal offers to perform work on their homes, use properly state-licensed professionals and verify the contractor at myfloridalicense.com.

“As structural repairs and rebuilding get underway, licensed contractors offer the only safe, legal and accountable way to have work done,” said Secretary Griffin. “You can bet that fraudsters will come out of the woodwork in the days and weeks ahead. The key safeguard is only doing business with professionals you confirm are properly licensed in Florida. Ask for their license information. Verify your contractor by using the DBPR mobile app or visiting MyFloridaLicense.com.”

Avoid the most common traps and threats created by unlicensed frauds:

  • Taking a deposit but not performing the work, or performing substandard work resulting in an extensive loss in home value, financial cost to the homeowners, and potential dangers to occupants and guests
  • A lack of proper permitting or proof of work performed resulting in difficulty or inability to sell the home
  • Non-compliance with building codes leaving defects, or the inability for the home to withstand future storms
  • A lack of necessary insurance, creating possible liability for the homeowner for injuries on their property or for shoddy work performed
  • Unknown criminal backgrounds allowing potentially dangerous people access to the home and near loved ones
  • A lack of education and/or qualifications endangering the safety of homeowners, their loved ones and their property.

Verify the license of any prospective contractor by visiting MyFloridaLicense.com, or downloading the DBPR mobile app on iTunes and GooglePlay.

Report unlicensed contractors and other unlicensed activity to 866-532-1440 or on the DBPR mobile app or MyFloridaLicense.com. For more information visit the DBPR Unlicensed Activity web page.

Also, DBPR is a founding partner of the Disaster Contractors Network (DCN), a contractor-verified clearinghouse to connect individuals with building professionals to address storm-related construction and repairs. Once homeowners are safely able to assess their home repair needs, they are encouraged to visit DCNOnline.org and search by county for a list of Florida-licensed contractors providing these services in their local community.

###

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates nearly 1.7 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, engineers, 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, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, please visit myfloridalicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram, or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook and LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.
October 11, 2022 /  
DBPR Issues Construction Contractor-Related Emergency Order to Assist Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts

 

For Immediate Release

October 4, 2022

Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

DBPR Issues Construction Contractor-Related Emergency Order to Assist Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie S. Griffin has signed DBPR Emergency Order 2022-03. The emergency order waives certain contractor requirements to more quickly assist homeowners and businesses with recovery and repairs in the wake of Hurricane Ian’s impacts to the state.

“Governor Ron DeSantis has given us a firm directive to bring all resources to the table for the millions of Floridians impacted by this disaster,” said Secretary Griffin. “Within the framework provided by law, this emergency order assures Floridians have access to licensed contractors now able to deploy from across the state and put their professional skills to work.”

DBPR Emergency Order 2022-03 waives the requirement for certified or registered, general, building, or residential contractors to subcontract roofing work for the repair or installation of any roof type in the following counties:

Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Desoto, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, St. Jones, St. Lucie, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Union and Volusia.

While the emergency order is in effect, registered contractors are not subject to geographic scope limitations or requirements when providing services in listed counties, subject to additional requirements outlined in the emergency order.

The emergency order also clarifies that the installation of non-permanent, emergency tarps to relieve damage caused by Hurricane Ian fall within the exemptions listed in section 489.103(6), Florida Statues.

For more information, review the Fact Sheet on DBPR Emergency Order 2022-03. To find other DBPR Emergency Orders related to Hurricane Ian, visit the DBPR website Emergency page.

###

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates nearly 1.7 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, engineers, 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, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, please visit myfloridalicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram, or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook and LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.
October 4, 2022 /  
Florida DBPR Opens Entry Period for Annual Quota Beverage License Drawing

 

For Immediate Release

August 15, 2022

Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

Florida DBPR Opens Entry Period for Annual Quota
Beverage License Drawing
A total of 35 licenses are available in 19 Florida counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (the Division) opened the entry period for the 2022 Quota Beverage License Drawing. For the 2022 entry period, entry forms will be accepted until the filing deadline on September 28, 2022.

Quota beverage licenses authorize the holder of the license to sell beer, wine, and distilled spirits, either for package sales only or for consumption on and off the licensed premises, depending on the license series elected. The Florida Beverage Law limits the total number of quota alcoholic beverage licenses by county population estimates, authorizing the Division to issue no more than one license for every 7,500 residents within a county. Each year, the Division analyzes population data in Florida’s 67 counties, and if one or more of the licenses are eligible to be entered into the drawing, opens the drawing process for a 45-day period beginning the third Monday in August.

The 2022 drawing entry period will include 35 new quota beverage licenses available for issuance in 19 counties, including: Alachua, Broward, Citrus, Miami-Dade, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Marion, Okaloosa, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, Polk, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, and Washington.

Once the entry period closes at 5 p.m. on September 28, 2022, the Division will process qualifying entries and announce the winners during a public drawing at a later date. Entrants selected from the drawing will be awarded the right to apply to hold one of the available licenses in the county from which their entry was selected. During the 2021 entry period, for which rights to apply for available licenses were recently awarded following the public drawing, the Division received more than 34,700 entries for 49 licenses in 27 counties.

Entrants can apply by using DBPR’s online portal to pay by credit card. To enter and pay by check or money order, applications and payment can be mailed or hand delivered to the following address:

Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
Attn: Quota Beverage License Drawing
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1019

For more information about the Quota Beverage License Drawing entry process, interested entrants are encouraged to contact a local Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco District Office or visit our website.

###

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 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, engineers, 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, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, please visit myfloridalicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram, or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook and LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.
August 15, 2022 /  
Florida DBPR Hosts First Agency-Wide Job Fair

 

For Immediate Release

July 15, 2022

Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

Florida DBPR Hosts First Agency-Wide Job Fair

Applicants will be interviewed on the spot to fill more than 100 open positions across the state

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is hosting a state agency job fair on Wednesday, July 27 from 10 am–2 pm. The event will take place at DBPR headquarters at 2601 N. Blair Stone Road in Tallahassee.

The hiring event is designed to be a “speed interview” style job fair, where applicants will be asked if they are interested in a specific position or type of position and short interviews will be done on site. Some successful interviews may include conditional offers, pending a background check. All positions pay at least $15 per hour.

The job fair is hiring for a broad range of positions in all 13 DBPR offices across the state, including:

  • Administrative Assistants
  • Alcohol Compliance Inspectors
  • Application and Licensing Processors
  • Attorneys
  • Auditors
  • Call Center Agents (full-time day and part-time evening positions available)
  • Legal Assistants
  • Technical Positions (help desk assistants, web developers, system analysts)
  • Unlicensed Contractor Investigators

“It is exciting to see our agency try a new, innovative approach to hiring,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “With the variety of different jobs we have at our agency and this new hiring approach, I am confident we will grow our amazing team and be even better equipped to support our licensees and the people of Florida.”

Job seekers should bring their resumes and government-issued ID. If job seekers claim veteran preference entitlement, they should also bring copies of their DD-214.

To save time, job candidates may complete a job application in advance. Applications will also be available at the event.

For more information, including details about state benefits, the application, all open positions at DBPR and other details, visit DBPRcareers.com.

###

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 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, engineers, 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, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, please visit myfloridalicense.com.

 

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram, or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook and LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.
July 15, 2022 /  
Florida DBPR Releases Results of Annual Quota Alcoholic Beverage License Drawing

 

For Immediate Release

June 21, 2022

Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com

(850) 922-8981

Florida DBPR Releases Results of Annual Quota
Alcoholic Beverage License Drawing

49 selected entrants from the 2021 entry period now have 45 days to apply for a license in the county where selected

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –Today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco conducted the public drawing for quota alcoholic beverage licenses available from the 2021 entry period. Results of the drawing are now published and accessible on the Division’s Quota Licenses and Drawing web page.

Quota alcoholic beverage licenses authorize the holder of the license to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits, either for package sales only or for consumption on the licensed premises, depending on the license series selected. The Florida Beverage Law limits the total number of quota alcoholic beverage licenses by county population estimates, authorizing the Division to issue no more than one license for every 7,500 residents within a county. Each year, the Division analyzes population data in Florida’s 67 counties, and based on the licenses available, opens the drawing process.

For the 2021 entry period, a total of 49 quota alcoholic beverage licenses were determined to be available for issuance across 27 counties, including: Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia. For the 2021 entry period, 34,732 entries were deemed qualified for entry in the drawing.

Entrants selected from today’s drawing will be awarded the priority right to apply and qualify to hold one of the available licenses in the county from which their entry was selected. The Florida Beverage Law requires that each selected entrant file an application to qualify to hold the license within 45 days from the date of the Division’s notice of selection.

The 2022 entry period for the annual drawing process will open on Monday, August 15, 2022. More information about the number and location of available licenses for the 2022 entry period will be published in advance of the entry period opening date. Interested parties are encouraged to monitor information on the Division’s web page related to Quota Licenses and Drawing for further announcements regarding the 2022 entry period.

###

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates nearly 1.6 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 myfloridalicense.com.

Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram, or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook and LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.
June 21, 2022 /