IMPORTANT NEWS...

Governor Crist Signs Bill to Streamline Regulation for Professionals and Businesses

July 3, 2008

Tallahassee— On June 30, Governor Crist signed House Bill (HB) 601, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (Department) bill, which will help make the regulation of professionals and businesses in Florida more efficient. The bill, sponsored by Representative Matt Hudson, Senator Dennis Jones and supported by Senator Michael Bennett, will improve public safety and streamline parts of the Department’s licensing and regulation.

“We are looking forward to implementing the changes set forth in HB 601,” said Interim Secretary Chuck Drago. “I believe these legislative changes will make a positive impact on the licensees and citizens that we do business with every day.”

Highlights from HB 601 include:

• Farm Labor: The bill eliminates a duplication of efforts by removing the state requirement for a background check for Farm Labor Contractors who are already federally registered with a full background check.
  
  
• Licensing: Changes will help streamline work flow inside the licensing system, decrease application processing time and save funds from licensing fees. The Department will now be able to administratively close deficient license application files after two years. Department staff will now have administrative authority to approve complete, non-controversial applications for professional licenses.
  
  
• Electrical Contractors: The bill removes the requirement for Electrical Contractors to pre-qualify before taking the licensing exam and allows applicants to apply for a license after passing the exam. The change in the requirement is consistent with the current requirement for the Construction Industry Licensing Board and will decrease the application processing time.
  
  
• Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes: The Division of Land Sales, Condominiums and Mobile Homes will no longer have enforcement authority over fraudulent land sales practices. The Division will forward complaints to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The Division will now be named the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes.
  
  
• Boxing Commission: The bill authorizes amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) events in Florida to be approved by a national MMA sanctioning organization recognized by the Florida State Boxing Commission.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com.