Info About Self-Reporting

As part of a contractor’s responsibilities to the Board, he is required to self-report any crime, in any jurisdiction, for which he has been found guilty or plead no contest, within 30 days.  This is true for any charge, regardless of whether it was related to the contractor’s field of work. Most importantly, it is regardless of adjudication.

If the Board finds that a license holder was charged with a crime during the time when he or she held a license, and self-reporting did not take place, there are a number of actions the Board may choose to take.  These penalties range widely and are as follows:

1. Issuance of a formal reprimand
2. Restriction of Practice
3. Suspension or permanent revocation of a license.
4. Administrative Fines, not to exceed $5,000 per offense
5. Placement of a licensee on probation, with the potential for other sanctions such as additional continuing education hours, reexamination, treatment for substance abuse or anger management or other sanctions tailored to the offense.

Often times a more practical reason for self-reporting is to avoid the need for a Board review when submitting an application for an existing license – such as transferring your license to a different company, changing from inactive to active status, or qualifying an additional entity.

Each time an application must be submitted, the license holder is required to submit to a background check via electronic fingerprinting.  At that time, if the licensee is found to have been convicted of a crime during the timeframe that he’s held his license (and didn’t self-report), then it becomes very likely that he will be called before the Board during one of their monthly meetings for a formal review before his application can be approved.  Even if the Board imposes no sanctions at that time, it’s still an inconvenience that may be avoided.

While the Board are the keepers of the rules when it comes to the construction industry, and have the responsibility of protecting the public, they are also a group of people who understand that sometimes things happen in life.  If you ever find yourself in a situation of being charged with a crime, it’s always best to face the music and self-report.  It’s easy too!  You can find the necessary form here: DBPR Criminal Self-Reporting Document

As always, questions can be directed to your Licenses, Etc Team for further info. Call us at 239-777-1028 or email support@licensesetc.com.  We are happy to help.