2. DBPR Unlicensed Activity Awareness Seminar for Contractors

3. A Little About the Department
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) regulates over 1 million professionals and businesses in Florida ranging from:
Hotels and restaurants
Alcohol and tobacco retailers
Real estate agents and appraisers
Certified Public Accountants
Construction trades
The department regulates 19 professions and related businesses through 15 professional boards, 3 department regulated professions and 1 council.
The department is dedicated to protecting the health, safety and welfare of those living in and visiting Florida.

7. Bureau of Unlicensed Activity Michael Green, Administrator
Enforcement Activities:
Sweeps -2 per month per office
Stings- 2 per year per office
Disaster Operations
Education Activities:
Public Service Announcements
Partnership with Bob Vila
PSA collection DVD
Unlicensed Activity Web Page
Brochures and other Literature
Public Speaking Engagements
Intergovernmental ties
Mission: Identify and eliminate the practice of unlicensed activity through the coordinated efforts of the department’s regional offices, local building departments, other state agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the appropriate State Attorney’s Office.
Objective: Educate the public of the need to hire only licensed individuals when licensure is required and to conduct operations to identify the practice of unlicensed activity. Once these practices are identified, the department will take appropriate steps to effectively eliminate the activity. These steps may include the issuance of a cease and desist order, the issuance of a citation, or an imposition of administrative fines.

8. Complaints last year- 2006-2007
During the FY the DBPR received:
5,561 Unlicensed activity complaints
3,444 of which were found to be legally sufficient and resulted in further investigation
Disciplinary Action was taken in 1,207 of these cases
Additionally citation were issued in other cases

9. Enforcement Activities: Law Enforcement:
Department has gained leverage in our enforcement efforts by strengthening partnerships with:
local code enforcement
law enforcement,
state attorneys
Worker’s Compensation Investigators
Multi-Agency Task Forces

10. Proactive Sweeps, Stings & Consumer Outreach
Last year 143 sweeps performed for unlicensed activity statewide
Last year the 63 consumer outreach programs were conducted with over 5,000 Floridians attending

11. Ways DBPR is working to fight Unlicensed Activity
Toll Free Hot-line for consumers and licensees
Unlicensed Investigators who focus on unlicensed activities.
Citation fines for advertising $1,000.
Citation fines for contracting $2,500.00
Fines for Unlicensed Contracting-$5,0000 per violation.
Increase in prosecutions through local State Attorneys.

12. Medias for Outreach Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
Newspaper articles, editorials, advertisements
Billboards
Website
Brochures

13. Public Service Announcements
This year we partnered with Bob Vila. His web site is linked to the DBPR website.

14. Public Service Announcements

15. Brochures

18. Beware of Construction Con Artists, Who May:
Target the elderly and uninformed, or the young and inexperienced.
Focus on roofing and remodeling.
Solicit door-to-door, frequently traveling in unmarked vehicles.
Give a post office box address instead of a street address.
Demand that you obtain the necessary building permits.
Ask for all or a large portion of the money up front.
Request that payments be made in cash.
Present a local occupational tax certificate as a “contractor’s license.”

19. Certified vs. Registered Contractors
A Certified contractor is licensed by the state through the DBPR. Certified contractors may work anywhere in the state and must be recognized by all local jurisdictions. Discipline is handled by the department.
A Registered contractor is licensed by a local licensing board, and must register the license with DBPR for the license to be valid. A Registered contractor may work only in the local geographic area that issued the license, or any adjoining jurisdiction that offers reciprocity.
Discipline of registered contractors is handled by the jurisdiction that issued the license.

20. Contractor’s License
Sample

21. Who Needs to be Licensed
Generally, a state Certified or Registered contractor’s license is required for any structural additions or remodeling, roofing, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical/alarm work, pool/spa work, structural aluminum work, or any job which requires a building permit.
In addition, many local jurisdictions have additional licensure requirements for other specialty contractors, such as pool cleaners, painting, drywall, masonry, tile and concrete work.
You can verify local licensure requirements by contacting your building department.

22. Finding a Reputable and Reliable Contractor
Ask to see the contractor’s registered or certified license. All state-generated licenses include a wallet card. Verify that the license you are shown confirms the person’s identity.
Note the license number and check with the DBPR or your local building department to verify that the license is current and active.
Determine how long the contractor has been in business.
Ask for references of persons for whom the contractor has done work and CHECK THEM OUT.

23. Handymen
The state of Florida does not license or regulate those calling themselves a handyman. Therefore a handyman is only permitted to perform minor repairs and cannot legally perform any of the work previously mentioned that requires a license.
When a handyman expands their efforts from minor repairs to structural repairs or other work they are not authorized to do, they are entering the area of unlicensed activity and are subject to prosecution. Unlicensed activity is a misdemeanor for the first offense and becomes a felony upon the second offense.
Be aware that contracts with unlicensed individuals are unenforceable under Florida law. (FS )

24. Occupational License (Business Tax) NOT A LICENSE
Sample
CITY OF _________________ BUSINESS TAX CERTIFICATE
TAX CERTIFICATE EXPIRES AUGUST 31, 2007
DBA: Woody’s Wood Work Account Number:
LOCATION
ADDRESS: 21 Main Street Type Code Sub Code: Type Description:
Any Town, FL a Carpenter
32399
The firm, corporation, organization, business or individual whose name
appears hereon has paid a business tax for the business activities
indicated above, subject to city, state and federal laws. This certificate must
be conspicuously displayed at the location of the business activity. A
change of location from the stated business location on this certificate as
well as a change in ownership requires a transfer.

25. Local Competency Card, Journeyman Card and Registered Contractor’s License
Samples

26. We Need Your Help
Don’t hire unlicensed subcontractors.
Don’t pull permits for unlicensed persons or companies.
Educate Consumers on dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors.
Report unlicensed Activity to DBPR and Local Code Enforcement Boards.
Encourage Subs to become licensed specialty contractors.
Get to Know your local DBPR Staff.

27. Aiding and Assisting Unlicensed Contractors
FS (1)(d) - Assisting Unlicensed Person to evade provisions of Chapter 489
FS (1)(e) FS – Combining and conspiring with unlicensed person or entity.
FS (1)(f) – Failure to qualify a firm, and/or acting in a name not on license.
All of the above- Up to $5,000 and/ or probation, suspension or revocation.
$500 Citation possible in cases with no financial harm.
Public Complaint against license.
FS The Department or the appropriate board shall report any criminal violation of any statute relating to the practice of a profession regulated by the Department or appropriate board to the proper prosecuting authority for prompt prosecution.

28. Remind Your Potential Customers:
Ask to see the contractor’s registered or certified license. All state-generated licenses include a wallet card. Verify that the license you are shown confirms the person’s identity.
Note the license number and check with the DBPR or your local building department to verify that the license is current and active.
Determine how long the contractor has been in business.
Ask for references of persons for whom the contractor has done work and CHECK THEM OUT.

29. Owner-Builder Exemption Section 489.103(7), FS
If you do not intend to do the work yourself and have been asked by someone without a contractor’s license to pull the permit, you are at risk of financial harm both by penalty and injury.
Section (7), Florida Statutes states:
Owners must supervise the work being performed.
Any person working on your building who is not licensed must be employed by you, which means that you must deduct F.I.C.A and withholding tax and provide workers’ compensation for that employee.
Work is limited to a one or two family residence, farm outbuilding or commercial property up to $75,000 in total construction costs.
The property cannot be sold for one year after construction is completed.
Not only is it dangerous, but it’s also a crime.
Section , Florida Statutes: Any person who knowingly aides, assists, procures, employs or advises an unlicensed individual can be charged with a first degree misdemeanor and may face fines of up to $5,000 for each offense.

30. Be Sure Contracts Include:
The contractor’s name, address, telephone number and professional license number. ($100 Citation possible)
A detailed description of work to be completed and the quality and type of materials to be supplied, also known as the job specifications.
A complete list of companies or individuals supplying the contractor with labor or materials.
The total cost and a payment schedule tied to the completion of various stages of the project, also know as the draw schedule.
Any financing information that is required by law or that is part of the transaction.

31. Be Sure Contracts Includes (cont’d)
Any warranty agreements.
A commencement and completion date.
All necessary building permits or fees that will be the responsibility of the contractor. (The person that signs for the permit is responsible for the completion of the construction.)
An agreement regarding site cleanup and debris disposal.
If applicable.-a notice of the consumer’s rights under the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund for contracts involving general, residential and building contractors.

32. Moneys received by contractors
Section , Florida Statutes-
A contractor who receives, as initial payment more than 10 percent MUST:
Apply for permits necessary to do work within 30 days after the date payment is made.
Start the work within 90 days after the date all necessary permits are issued

33. Remind your customers of Florida’s Lien Law (cont’d)
To protect themselves:
Request a list of all subcontractors and suppliers who will be providing services or materials to the property from the contractor.
Obtain a Release of Lien, which is a written statement that removes the property from the threat of lien, from subcontractors and suppliers covering the work performed and the materials used.
Before they make the last payment, be sure to obtain an affidavit from the contractor that specifies all unpaid parties and ensure that they receive final releases from these parties.

34. Report Unlicensed Activity How to File a Complaint
Contractors can file an anonymous complaint against unlicensed persons:
call or contact or
Fax –
Submit all supporting documentation with your complaint. –advertising speaks for its self.

35. Contacting the Department
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation provides up-to-the-minute information about all of our licensed professionals online at
To verify a license, please call
To report unlicensed activity toll-free, please call
Mailing address:
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399