ETC - Licenses Etc Ezine

Your monthly ezine for the Florida construction industry with valuable information, resources, ideas and tips from the experts (Chrissi Jackson and Kristie Cook)
at Licenses, Etc, Inc.
Comments/Questions: 239.777.8321 or 239.777.1028
Don’t miss us! Be sure to add etc@licensesetc.com to your address book and/or safe sender’s list.

Time for Renewals!

Note: This is not the same thing as filing your company's annual report!

That letter you received in the mail recently from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) may have created a small pit in your stomach. After all, it can feel like any communication from DBPR about your license means a long, drawn-out process that is confusing and frustrating. And that’s probably the last thing you want to deal with when you have so many other things to do to keep your business running, especially in this market. But you know it’s a necessary evil.

Actually…renewing your license is one of the easiest things you can do when it comes to your license. Yes, they’ve actually made something simple. The most difficult and time-consuming part of the process is scheduling and taking your Continuing Education classes, if necessary. (For more information, read our previous article about Continuing Education at http://www.licensesetc.com/January_10_ETC.html) You should have those completed before you renew. The providing school is required to submit the information to DBPR. Give them at least 5 business days to do this.

You can do the rest with the simple online renewal process, outlined here, step-by-step, to make it even easier and stress-free for you. Keeping things simple and painless is, of course, our goal at Licenses, Etc.

How to renew a license online.

Go to the main DBPR website at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/index.html.

Find where it says “Verify a License” and click that link.

This will take you to https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?mode=0&SID= (the licensee search page)

Find the list of User Services on the left side of the page. Click on “Renew a License”.

This will take you to https://www.myfloridalicense.com/logon.asp?Page=/LicenseSummary.asp, the logon page.
Enter your User ID and PIN Number to Login.

have an online services accot, you may log on to the system now and skip the step to activate your account.

If you need to activate your account, find where it says “Activate Your Online Services Account” and click that link.

ENTER INITIAL PIN

License/Board Division = Construction Industry Licensing Board
License Profession = Certified (whatever you have) Contractor
License Number = Your license number (be sure to use the three letters at the beginning)
Initial PIN = The last 4 digits of your SSN
Click Continue

ENTER NEW PIN NUMBER

Enter a NUMERIC PIN at least 4 digits long
Confirm the PIN number

ENTER A HINT QUESTION/ANSWER

Create a question that they can ask you in case you forget your pin
Enter the answer
Confirm the answer

Congratulations! You have activated your online account!

PRINT OUT THIS PAGE FOR YOUR FILES!!!!
Your User ID number is at the top of the page.

Click on the “Continue” button

This will open an account summary page.

If your email address is different than the one listed, please modify as appropriate and press the “Update” button.

Now, click on the “Maintain/Renew” button

A new window will open showing 3 steps to renew.

Step 1: Update Address

Please click this link to confirm that they have your appropriate mailing address.
To change the address, click on the “Main Address” link and make the necessary modifications.
If everything is OK go back to the previous page.

NOTE: the “Back” link on their webpage was broken. I had to use the back arrow on my browser.

Step 2: Pay Charges
- Be sure that the renewal box is checked and then select the “Pay by Credit Card” option.

Enter the following:
- Card holder name
- Card type
- Card number
- Expiration date
Select “Pay”
Print out your receipt
Press “Continue”

This takes you back to the account summary page
Once again, press the “Maintain/Renew this license” link
You’ll get back to the page with three steps to renew. Before you complete the process, go down to where it says “View My Continuing Ed” and click the link.
- Double check to be sure that all of your continuing education requirements are taken care of. Many of you will have no requirements at all.
There is no way to go backwards from here…so click on the “Renew a license” link under user services on the left side of the page.
You’ll ONCE AGAIN get back to the account summary page.
Once again, press the “Maintain/Renew this license” link
If you feel comfortable that you’ve paid the fees and completed the CEU requirements, go to Step 3:

Step 3: Submit application for processing

That’s it! Be sure to Log off of the system. Now go have fun!!

		Your monthly ezine for the Florida construction industry with valuable information, resources, ideas and tips from the experts (Chrissi Jackson and Kristie Cook) at Licenses, Etc, Inc. Comments/Questions: 239.777.8321 or 239.777.1028 Don’t miss us! Be sure to add etc@licensesetc.com to your address book and/or safe sender’s list.
		Table of Contents - June 2010 Message from Kristie & Chrissi Renewing Your License Online - It's Easy! News From CILB and ECLB Important Dates Don't Forget This New Requirement Classifieds
		Message from the Gals Finally...a new ETC issue for you! Last issue, we provided information on Continuing Education. Below, you'll find an update. But this month's main focus is about renewing online. Remember, if you received your license before May 1 of this year, you must renew. You'll find step-by-step instructions below to walk you through the online renewal process. First, we'd like to share some really exciting news. Kristie's first novel, Promise, comes out next month! This accomplishment has been a long time in the making and it has kept us hopping-busy recently. For more information about the book and to pre-order your own signed copy, visit www.IHavePromise.com. You can keep up with Kristie's writing at www.KristieCook.com. To support Kristie and our publishing company, please pass this information to everyone you know. We'd also appreciate your buying a copy to donate to your local library. One last thing before we get to the nitty-gritty of this issue: Home Inspectors and Mold Related Services licenses become effective July 1. We will be researching the requirements and the grandfathering clauses and provide more detailed information in the next ETC. For more information about Home Inspectors licenses, click here: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/homein/happens.html. For more information about Mold Releated Services licenses, click here: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/mold/happens.html Thank you for reading! Have a Jumpin' July! And have a safe and fun 4th of July this weekend! Best regards, Kristie & Chrissi

		Time for Renewals! Note: This is not the same thing as filing your company's annual report! That letter you received in the mail recently from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) may have created a small pit in your stomach. After all, it can feel like any communication from DBPR about your license means a long, drawn-out process that is confusing and frustrating. And that’s probably the last thing you want to deal with when you have so many other things to do to keep your business running, especially in this market. But you know it’s a necessary evil. Actually…renewing your license is one of the easiest things you can do when it comes to your license. Yes, they’ve actually made something simple. The most difficult and time-consuming part of the process is scheduling and taking your Continuing Education classes, if necessary. (For more information, read our previous article about Continuing Education at http://www.licensesetc.com/January_10_ETC.html) You should have those completed before you renew. The providing school is required to submit the information to DBPR. Give them at least 5 business days to do this. You can do the rest with the simple online renewal process, outlined here, step-by-step, to make it even easier and stress-free for you. Keeping things simple and painless is, of course, our goal at Licenses, Etc. How to renew a license online. Go to the main DBPR website at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/index.html. Find where it says “Verify a License” and click that link. This will take you to https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?mode=0&SID= (the licensee search page) Find the list of User Services on the left side of the page. Click on “Renew a License”. This will take you to https://www.myfloridalicense.com/logon.asp?Page=/LicenseSummary.asp, the logon page. Enter your User ID and PIN Number to Login. have an online services accot, you may log on to the system now and skip the step to activate your account. If you need to activate your account, find where it says “Activate Your Online Services Account” and click that link. ENTER INITIAL PIN License/Board Division = Construction Industry Licensing Board License Profession = Certified (whatever you have) Contractor License Number = Your license number (be sure to use the three letters at the beginning) Initial PIN = The last 4 digits of your SSN Click Continue ENTER NEW PIN NUMBER Enter a NUMERIC PIN at least 4 digits long Confirm the PIN number ENTER A HINT QUESTION/ANSWER Create a question that they can ask you in case you forget your pin Enter the answer Confirm the answer Congratulations! You have activated your online account! PRINT OUT THIS PAGE FOR YOUR FILES!!!! Your User ID number is at the top of the page. Click on the “Continue” button This will open an account summary page. If your email address is different than the one listed, please modify as appropriate and press the “Update” button. Now, click on the “Maintain/Renew” button A new window will open showing 3 steps to renew. Step 1: Update Address Please click this link to confirm that they have your appropriate mailing address. To change the address, click on the “Main Address” link and make the necessary modifications. If everything is OK go back to the previous page. NOTE: the “Back” link on their webpage was broken. I had to use the back arrow on my browser. Step 2: Pay Charges Be sure that the renewal box is checked and then select the “Pay by Credit Card” option. Enter the following: Card holder name Card type Card number Expiration date Select “Pay” Print out your receipt Press “Continue” This takes you back to the account summary page Once again, press the “Maintain/Renew this license” link You’ll get back to the page with three steps to renew. Before you complete the process, go down to where it says “View My Continuing Ed” and click the link. Double check to be sure that all of your continuing education requirements are taken care of. Many of you will have no requirements at all. There is no way to go backwards from here…so click on the “Renew a license” link under user services on the left side of the page. You’ll ONCE AGAIN get back to the account summary page. Once again, press the “Maintain/Renew this license” link If you feel comfortable that you’ve paid the fees and completed the CEU requirements, go to Step 3: Step 3: Submit application for processing That’s it! Be sure to Log off of the system. Now go have fun!!
		Sign Up NOW for Your CE Classes Cam Tech School of Construction is currently accepting registrations for its next round of CE classes. This will be the last time they are available before licenses expire. CE classes are July 24th & 25th. Call 800-875-7277 for more information. Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA) is offering CE courses July 15-16 in Naples. Call Carrie at 239-436-6100 for more information. Red Vector offers online CE classes at www.redvector.com Remember, if your license was issued prior to 9/1/2008, you must take 14 hours. If your license was issued between 9/1/2008 and 8/31/2009, you must take 7 hours. If your license was issued between 9/1/2009 and 5/1/2010, you don't need any CEs, but you still must renew.
		News From the State! From the Divison of Corporations CONSUMER ALERT! Please be aware that notices are being sent by two entities that are not associated with the Division of Corporations. Compliance Services are requesting "Annual Minutes" and a fee of $125.00. "Annual Minutes" are not required to be filed with any state agency. Florida Online Corporate Annual Report Filings are sending e-mail messages "inviting" businesses to file the annual report from their website. Do not be misled by these messages. Make sure you are on the Department of State, Division of Corporations official website (www.sunbiz.org) when you file the 2010 annual report. From the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board ASSESSMENT FEE: The Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board will charge a special assessment fee of $75.00 per licensee in addition to the regular renewal fee. This fee has been added to your renewal fee and will be due along with your renewal fee during the 2010 renewal period. The additional fee is to adjust for a deficit currently being experienced by the board. This is a one-time fee charge. As of March 18, 2010 the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board no longer recognizes Georgia’s LVU, LVA, LVG and LVT licenses for the purposes of endorsement. If you hold one of these licenses and wish to become licensed in Florida you will need to take and pass the appropriate Florida examination. For further information on licensure by examination or endorsement please refer to our applications and FAQ’s. From the Construction Industry Licensing Board Important Information (Hot Topics) Federal Lead-Based Paint Abatement Program The United States Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for administering the lead based paint abatement program. Beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. You can visit www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/traincert.htm for information on certification requirements and training programs.
		Important Dates Next CILB meeting is July 13-16 in St. Augustine. Next ECLB meeting is July 15-16 in Celebration. Deadline for August CILB exam dates is July 17. Register here: http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/servop/testing/documents/exam_applic_pack.pdf Next CILB exams are August 17-18. ALL certified contractors' licenses MUST be renewed by August 31. August CILB meeting is August 10-13 in Kissimmee.
		Don't Forget!!! Effective October 1, 2009, Section 455.227(1)(t), Florida Statutes, requires that a licensee must report to the board or, if there is no board, to the department within 30 days after a licensee is convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere (no contest) or guilty to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction. If you previously reported a criminal conviction or plea to DBPR, you do not need to report it again. Here's the form: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/documents/criminal_self-reporting_document.pdf
		What Our Clients Have to Say We have a new Testimonials page at www.LicensesEtc.com/Testimonials.html where you can see all kinds of things our clients have said. This is run by a third-party service, so we have no influence over what gets posted. If you'd like to rate our services, you can do so at http://www.ratepoint.com/profile/13980
		Classifieds Have something you want to sell? A position to fill? A need for a subcontractor? Contact Chrissi (239.777.1028, Chrissi.Jackson@LicensesEtc.com) or Kristie (239.777.8321, Kristie.Cook@LicensesEtc.com) for information about advertising in our Classifieds section in ETC. Our current subscriber list consists of over 650 people in construction and related industries throughout the state of Florida and beyond. Your Classified ad will also be posted on our website, visited by hundreds every week.
		Fine Print Licenses, Etc., Inc. Copyright Licenses, Etc, Inc., 2008-2010 Have a question for the experts at Licenses, Etc.? Call Kristie at 239.777.8321 or Chrissi at 239.777.1028 or visit www.LicensesEtc.com ALL CONTENTS OF THIS E-MAIL ARE COPYRIGHT 2010 BY LICENSES, ETC., INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may reproduce any article with the inclusion of the following footer: “Copyright 2010 by Licenses, Etc. Written by Kristie Cook and Chrissi Jackson. Visit www.LicensesEtc.com for more information.” Protected by U.S. Copyright Law {Title 17 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq., Title 18 U.S.C. Section 2319}: Infringements can be punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Are you having trouble receiving ETC and Licenses, Etc.’s messages? Ensure that ETC gets delivered to your email box. Add etc@licensesetc.com to your address book and/or safe sender’s list. NOTE: If URLs do not appear as live links in your e-mail program, please cut and paste the full URL into the location or address field of your browser. Disclaimer: The inclusion of an ad in ETC does not constitute an explicit endorsement. It does mean that as far as we know, the product is not a rip-off. When we really like a product and want you to buy it, we'll tell you explicitly. Otherwise, view these ads the way you would commercials on TV or display ads in the back of your favorite magazine. Check them out. Make a decision. If you don't like, ask for a refund.