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
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CILB Cracks Down on Experience Fraud

A lot of license applicants seem to be having problems getting their experience verified for new licenses. Unfortunately, some stoop to the illegal level of paying someone to sign for their experience on their applications. The Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) is very aware of this and is taking drastic steps to eliminate this practice. This is according to G.W. Harrell, CILB Executive Director, during his presentation at the Southeast Builders Conference (SBC) held in late July/early August in Orlando.

Harrell discussed the Board's efforts in identifying experience fraud, including its development of a database that tracks contractors who are signing for others. Every person who signs the verification pages on an application is entered into the database. It flags, for example, those who are signing for an unrealistic number of applicants. Harrell warned that applicants need to be sure they know who is signing their application and that the signer truly does know the applicant's experience. Investigations are already underway of several suspected culprits. This is a warning we hope you will pay attention to because experience fraud or any other discrepencies on an application is a third degree felony. This applies to both the applicant and the signer!

Because the Board feels experience fraud is so rampant, it is exploring alternative ways to verify experience. One of the proposed changes is to require W2s as proof of experience. Of course, this creates a series of problems for a majority of potential applicants who may not be able to meet this requirement. The Board has been discussing this change for many months now, understanding that it is not the best solution. However, it is still under serious consideration and can become a rule at any time.

Other subjects Harrell discussed:

Financial problems - At the current and recent rates of payments to consumers, the Recovery Fund will run out of money this year. Most problems with contractors, according to Harrell, are financial in nature. So the Board is taking steps to ensure contractors are better qualified financially. This includes the new Business & Finance portion of the contractor's exam that starts with the next exam in October. The Board is also considering more changes to financial requirements for the application.

Criminal backgrounds - According to Harrell, any criminal offense that is a misdemeanor and/or more than 10 years old is not supposed to go the Board office for review. As many of you have discovered, this is not necessarily what happens. He said reviewers are having a difficult time interpreting the criminal history reports DBPR receives as the result of the fingerprinting. The reports, if you've never seen one, are very confusing. So most reviewers tend to send any criminal issue to the Board office. Harrell also stated that the Board takes a hard line on sexual offenders and any violent or financial crimes.

Numbers - DBPR recieves 600 applications a month! 75% of these have deficiencies, most tied to financial documents. About 150 are sent to the Board office for review, some for criminal or financial issues and some for quality control measures. According to Harrell, about two-thirds of these are sent back to DBPR for approval without requiring full committee review.

As you can see, you can expect to see more changes to licensing requirements - for both new and current licensees - in the next several months. Count on Licenses, Etc. to keep you posted as new rules take effect.

		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 - September 2008 Message from Kristie & Chrissi CILB Cracking Down on Experience Fraud Renewals Extended Until 9/30/08 Important Dates Spotlight on Michelle Krone, Construction Attorney Classifieds
		Message from the Gals Although the temps don't show it and hurricane season is still in full swing, the lazy days of summer are sadly over. People are getting back into their regular routines - and picking up on projects they let fall by the wayside. Like getting their licenses. So we've been busy as ever helping our wonderful clients accomplish their goalsl. We've also had a couple of exciting events since our last issue. Kristie traveled to Orlando to attend the Southeast Builders Conference and attended an informative education class offered by G.W. Harrell, Executive Director of the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Mr. Harrell shared some insight into the Board, Department of Business and Professional Regulation and their projects. The most important issue you should be aware of is their focus on uncovering experience fraud on license applications. Kristie shares what she learned in our main article, so be sure to read it -- it's important for licensed contractors as well as those who still need to apply. We have also been delving into social networking, including Facebook, LinkedIn and other opportunities we can't wait to share with our clients very soon. So if you're on any of these, be sure to look us up! Our most exciting news of all: We won the coveted Sand Dollar Award for Best Logo Design! The Sand Dollars are the highest recognition of member projects and marketing efforts given by the Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA) and its Sales and Marketing Council (SMC). Finally, we have the pleasure to spotlight one of our clients and friends who may be of great help to many of you: Michelle Krone, a Board Certified Construction Attorney. We would love to spotlight you and your company! This is an excellent opportunity for some public relations and free marketing. So please contact us to take advantage of this. Our newsletter now goes out to over 800 readers in your industry! Thank you for reading! And have a Super September and Outstanding October! Best regards, Kristie & Chrissi

		CILB Cracks Down on Experience Fraud A lot of license applicants seem to be having problems getting their experience verified for new licenses. Unfortunately, some stoop to the illegal level of paying someone to sign for their experience on their applications. The Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) is very aware of this and is taking drastic steps to eliminate this practice. This is according to G.W. Harrell, CILB Executive Director, during his presentation at the Southeast Builders Conference (SBC) held in late July/early August in Orlando. Harrell discussed the Board's efforts in identifying experience fraud, including its development of a database that tracks contractors who are signing for others. Every person who signs the verification pages on an application is entered into the database. It flags, for example, those who are signing for an unrealistic number of applicants. Harrell warned that applicants need to be sure they know who is signing their application and that the signer truly does know the applicant's experience. Investigations are already underway of several suspected culprits. This is a warning we hope you will pay attention to because experience fraud or any other discrepencies on an application is a third degree felony. This applies to both the applicant and the signer! Because the Board feels experience fraud is so rampant, it is exploring alternative ways to verify experience. One of the proposed changes is to require W2s as proof of experience. Of course, this creates a series of problems for a majority of potential applicants who may not be able to meet this requirement. The Board has been discussing this change for many months now, understanding that it is not the best solution. However, it is still under serious consideration and can become a rule at any time. Other subjects Harrell discussed: Financial problems - At the current and recent rates of payments to consumers, the Recovery Fund will run out of money this year. Most problems with contractors, according to Harrell, are financial in nature. So the Board is taking steps to ensure contractors are better qualified financially. This includes the new Business & Finance portion of the contractor's exam that starts with the next exam in October. The Board is also considering more changes to financial requirements for the application. Criminal backgrounds - According to Harrell, any criminal offense that is a misdemeanor and/or more than 10 years old is not supposed to go the Board office for review. As many of you have discovered, this is not necessarily what happens. He said reviewers are having a difficult time interpreting the criminal history reports DBPR receives as the result of the fingerprinting. The reports, if you've never seen one, are very confusing. So most reviewers tend to send any criminal issue to the Board office. Harrell also stated that the Board takes a hard line on sexual offenders and any violent or financial crimes. Numbers - DBPR recieves 600 applications a month! 75% of these have deficiencies, most tied to financial documents. About 150 are sent to the Board office for review, some for criminal or financial issues and some for quality control measures. According to Harrell, about two-thirds of these are sent back to DBPR for approval without requiring full committee review. As you can see, you can expect to see more changes to licensing requirements - for both new and current licensees - in the next several months. Count on Licenses, Etc. to keep you posted as new rules take effect.
		* Highly Recommended * Reducing Costs We're all looking for cost-cutting ideas to allow us to survive the economy. You may want to explore how you can cut workers' comp costs through Employee Leasing. If you have any field employees, Employee Leasing may provide a nice solution to high premiums. Contact Chrissi Jackson (239.777.1028) at Licenses, Etc. for more information.
		License Renewal Deadline Extended Due to Tropical Storm Fay's statewide visit in August, the CILB has extended the contractor's license renewal deadline to September 30. So if you haven't renewed yours yet, you still have time without having to pay penalties. We provided a step-by-step process for online renewals in our last issue, which you can find here: http://www.licensesetc.com/july_08_etc.html.
		Want to Bring in More Customers? Who doesn't?! There is no more important time to be marketing than right now, during the tough times. It may be difficult to find the funds, but marketing is the last area of your budget that you should be slashing. Marketing brings sales and sales keep your business alive. Remember that we offer marketing services, including award-winning logo design, business cards, websites, brochures, flyers, etc. We can also work with you to develop an effective marketing plan that keeps your business afloat. Contact Kristie Cook (239.777.8321) for more information.
		Important Dates Next CILB meeting is October 8-10 in Orlando. Next exam dates are October 14-15. ALL certified contractors' licenses MUST be renewed by September 30. November CILB meeting is November 12-14 in St. Pete Beach.
		Client Spotlight on...Michelle Krone, Construction Attorney Once a Miami Dolphins cheerleader, Michelle Krone has been practicing Construction Law in Florida for nearly 10 years. She was one of the first 100 or so attorneys to be certified by the Board in Construction Law and has been with the same firm, Kubicki Draper, since passing the bar in 1999. Michelle says, "Out of all of the aspects of my job, I enjoy the site inspections the most. Getting out to the project allows me to visualize the issues first hand and over the years, with each project, I gain more and more insight and knowledge into the realities of construction in South Florida." She has found that the current state of the industry and the failing economy has, unfortunately, led to "...a decrease in construction budgets, which as a practical matter, streams downhill to selection of materials, quality control issues involved with owners and/or developers not providing proper site supervision and contract administration. The economy had also deferred proper maintenance on many residences and condominiums, which at times, end up being blamed on contractors in the form of construction defect claims." If not practicing law, Michelle says she'd be teaching it or...traveling, relaxing and spending time with the family. "My favorite vacation spot is Hawaii. If you want to relax, you can, if you want to be adventurous, there is so much to do, and if you want to send your significant other off to play golf while you hit the spa or do some shopping, you can do that too! With that said, I'm also a Vegas girl." Best piece of advice she's ever received: "If you aren't ready to take the worst consequences that can come from an action, don't do it." - K.T. Krone (her dad) For more information about Michelle and what she can do for your construction business, visit her website.
		What Our Clients Have to Say “This was the easiest part of the entire GC experience. They were able to process the required information, in the correct format, without delay." Kari Carlson, Tower Systems South, Winter Springs, Florida
		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 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 2008 BY LICENSES, ETC., INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may reproduce any article with the inclusion of the following footer: “Copyright 2008 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.