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What Powers Does the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Have?

Monday, June 10th, 2013
The PCAOB has authority to investigate and discipline registered public accounting firms and persons associated with those firms for noncompliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules of the PCAOB and the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other laws, rules, and professional standards governing the audits of public companies, brokers, and dealers. When violations are found, the PCAOB can impose appropriate sanctions. As required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Board’s investigations are confidential and nonpublic. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act also requires that disciplinary proceedings are confidential and nonpublic, unless and until there is a final decision imposing sanctions.

Investigations

The PCAOB conducts investigations of registered public accounting firms and their associated persons. Board rules require registered public accounting firms and their partners, staff, and contractors to cooperate with Board investigations, which includes producing documents and providing testimony and information.

HEARINGS

When investigations lead to alleged violations, the PCAOB will provide registered public accounting firms and persons associated with those firms an opportunity for a hearing and, in appropriate cases, impose sanctions designed to deter possible recurrence and enhance the quality and reliability of future audits.

Sanctions

Sanctions imposed by the PCAOB may include suspension or revocation of a firm’s registration, suspension or bar of an individual from associating with a registered public accounting firm, and civil money penalties. The Board may also require improvements in a firm’s quality control, training, independent monitoring of the audit work of a firm or individual, or other remedial measures.
Soreide Law Group represents Florida licensed CPA’s in front of the Florida Board of Accountancy (BOA) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) regarding any licensing issues. For more information about professional licensing law please call to speak with an attorney at: (888) 760-6552.

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Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) is a private-sector, non-profit corporation created by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, a 2002 United States federal law, to oversee the auditors of public companies. Its purpose is to “protect the interests of investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, fair, and independent audit reports”. Although a private entity, the PCAOB has many government-like regulatory functions, making it in some ways similar to the private “self-regulatory organizations” (SROs) which regulate stock markets, broker-dealers, etc. in the United States. In conversation, the PCAOB is often pronounced “peekaboo”.

The PCAOB has five members, including a chairman, each of whom is appointed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Precisely two members of the PCAOB must be or have been a Certified Public Accountant. However, if the chairman of the PCAOB is one of those two members, he or she may not have been a practicing certified public accountant for at least five years prior to being appointed to the Board. Each member serves full-time, for staggered five-year terms. The Board’s annual budget of approximately $180 million, which must be approved by the SEC each year, is funded by fees paid by U.S. securities issuers. The PCAOB has a staff of over 600, and its headquarters is in Washington D.C.

The PCAOB’s first chairman was the former New York Federal Reserve president, William J. McDonough. The Board’s immediate past Chairman is Mark W. Olson, a former Federal Reserve Board governor. The PCAOB’s current Chairman is James R. Doty.

The PCAOB has the power to:

  • register public accounting firms that prepare audit reports for issuers;
  • set auditing, quality control, ethics, independence and other standards relating to the preparation of audit reports by issuers;
  • conduct inspections of registered public accounting firms;
  • conduct investigations and disciplinary proceedings concerning, and impose appropriate sanctions where justified upon, registered public accounting firms and associated persons of such firms (including fines of up to $100,000 against individual auditors, and $2 million against audit firms);
  • perform such other duties or functions as the Board (or the SEC) determines are necessary or appropriate to promote high professional standards among, and improve the quality of audit services offered by, registered public accounting firms and their employees;
  • sue and be sued, complain and defend, in its corporate name and through its own counsel, with the approval of the SEC, in any Federal, State or other court;
  • conduct its operations, maintain offices, and exercise all of its rights and powers in any part of the United States, without regard to any qualification, licensing or other provision of State or municipal law;
  • hire staff, accountants, attorneys and other agents as may be necessary or appropriate to the PCAOB’s mission (with salaries set at a level comparable to private sector self-regulatory, accounting, technical, supervisory, or other staff or management positions);
  • allocate, assess, and collect accounting support fees that fund the board; and
  • enter into contracts, execute instruments, incur liabilities, and do any and all other acts and things necessary, appropriate, or incidental to the conduct of its operations and the exercise of its powers under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

Soreide Law Group represents CPA’s in front of the Florida Board of Accountancy (BOA) regarding any licensing issues. For more information about professional licensing law please call to speak with an attorney at: (888) 760-6552.

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New Policies from the “Public Company Accounting Oversight Board” (PCAOB)

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

The following is information released by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board: 

“POLICY STATEMENT REGARDING CREDIT FOR EXTRAORDINARY COOPERATION IN CONNECTION WITH BOARD INVESTIGATIONS

PCAOB Release No. 2013-003
April 24, 2013
Summary
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB” or “Board”) is issuing this policy statement to provide guidance to registered public accounting firms (“firms”) and persons associated with firms (“associated persons”) concerning how extraordinary cooperation may be considered in determining the outcome of a PCAOB investigation.1/  The types of cooperation that could result in credit are: voluntary and timely self-reporting; voluntary and timely remedial or corrective action; and voluntary and timely substantial assistance to the Board’s investigative processes or to other law enforcement authorities.  These actions, alone or taken together, can be viewed as extraordinary cooperation for purposes of this policy statement and, depending on the facts and circumstances, may influence the PCAOB’s enforcement decisions.
By publishing this policy statement on cooperation, the Board seeks: (a) to encourage firms and associated persons to voluntarily and timely self-report, correct and remediate violative behavior, and provide substantial assistance to the Board’s investigative processes; and (b) to increase transparency into how the Board may credit cooperation.  Moreover, the Board will, in appropriate cases and in its discretion, note in settlement documents or other public statements that it has credited the extraordinary cooperation of a firm or associated person.  Doing so will enhance the Board’s enforcement program by publicizing the benefits of cooperation and informing firms and associated persons of the types of cooperation that may merit credit.2/
1/  This policy statement does not bind and is not intended to influence any PCAOB hearing officer or the Board in the adjudication of litigated matters.  Further, please note that the Board is not adopting any rule or making any commitment or promise about any specific case, or conferring any rights on any person or entity.  Further, the Board is not in any way limiting its discretion to evaluate every case individually, on its own particular facts and circumstances.  2/  The policy articulated in this statement is generally consistent with the Board’s existing practices for crediting extraordinary cooperation.  As discussed above, (Continued)

POLICY STATEMENT
PCAOB Release No. 2013-003 April 24, 2013
I. Introduction
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (the “Act”) and Board Rules require firms and associated persons to cooperate in connection with PCAOB inspections and investigations.3/  In certain situations, a firm or associated person might cooperate with PCAOB investigations beyond compliance with those obligations.  Cooperation beyond what is required to comply with legal and regulatory obligations can contribute significantly to the success of the Board’s mission of protecting investors and furthering the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate and independent audit reports.  Such extraordinary cooperation might help the Board’s staff to discover potential violations earlier and allow the Board to conclude investigations in a more
(Continued) the Board is publishing this statement in order to encourage extraordinary cooperation and to inform firms and associated persons of these practices.   3/  Section 102(b)(3) of the Act requires every firm applying for PCAOB registration to supply (1) a consent to cooperate in and comply with any request for testimony or the production of documents made by the PCAOB in the furtherance of its authority and responsibilities under the Act, (2) an agreement to secure and enforce similar consents from each associated person of the firm, and (3) a statement that the firm understands and agrees, among other things, that its cooperation and compliance shall be a condition to the continuing effectiveness of the firm’s registration with the Board.  Even if a firm fails to provide those items with its application, it is not relieved of the obligations to cooperate in and comply with Board requests made in furtherance of the Board’s authority and responsibilities under the Act.  Moreover, two Board Rules address cooperation by registered firms and associated persons.  Board Rule 4006, Duty to Cooperate with Inspectors, applies to inspections, and requires a registered firm and any associated person of that firm to cooperate with any Board inspection by providing information requested in Board inspections and providing access to the firm’s records.  Rule 4006 also requires that information provided to the Board be truthful and not misleading.  Sections 105(c)(4) and (5) of the Act and Board Rule 5300(a) govern sanctions for noncooperation with an inspection.  Section 105(b)(3) of the Act and Board Rule 5110, Noncooperation with an Investigation, apply to investigations, and provide that the Board may sanction a firm or associated person for failing to cooperate with a Board investigation.  The forms of cooperation covered by Rule 5110 are enumerated in paragraphs (1)-(3), with paragraph (4) providing a catch-all provision for failure to cooperate generally.  Section 105(b)(3) of the Act and Board Rule 5300(b) govern sanctions for failure to cooperate with an investigation.

POLICY STATEMENT
PCAOB Release No. 2013-003 April 24, 2013
efficient and timely manner, thus reducing the risk that such violative conduct will be repeated and result in more significant harm to investors, and assisting the Board in identifying audit reports that may be inaccurate.  For that reason, extraordinary cooperation in connection with Board investigations may be considered by the Board’s Division of Enforcement and Investigations (the “Division”) in its disciplinary recommendations to the Board, and by the Board in determining whether to accept settlement offers.
II. What is extraordinary cooperation?
Extraordinary cooperation is voluntary and timely action – beyond compliance with legal or regulatory obligations – that contributes to the mission of the Board.  There are three broad types of cooperation that (alone or taken together) might merit cooperation credit:  self-reporting; remedial or corrective action; and substantial assistance to the Board’s investigative processes or to other law enforcement authorities.
Self-Reporting relates to conduct upon learning of violations.  A firm or associated person may earn credit for self-reporting by making voluntary, timely and full disclosure of the facts relating to violations before the conduct comes to the attention of the Board or another regulator.4/  Self-reporting is more valuable the earlier it is provided.5/
4/  If self-reporting is required by legal or regulatory obligations, it is not voluntary and is not eligible for cooperation credit.  Thus, for example, self-reporting is not voluntary if made after receipt of a regulatory inquiry (e.g., any request, demand or subpoena for the same information or documents from the Board, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Congress, any other federal, state, local or foreign authority, or any self-regulatory organization).  Likewise, self-reporting is not voluntary if required by Section 10A(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C.§ 78j- 1(b)], Audit requirements- Required response to audit discoveries (which addresses an auditor’s obligation to report the illegal acts of the audit client) and Rule 10A-1 thereunder.  As a result, if the auditor discovers or detects an illegal act during either a quarterly review or annual audit, and is required to report it pursuant to Section 10A, the auditor would not be eligible to earn credit for self-reporting.  5/  When firms or associated persons self-report to the PCAOB, the Board encourages them to self-report by directly contacting the Division of Enforcement and (Continued)

POLICY STATEMENT
PCAOB Release No. 2013-003 April 24, 2013
Remedial or Corrective Actions are voluntary, timely and meaningful actions designed to reduce the likelihood and risk that similar violations will recur, as well as actions to correct violative conduct.  For example, a firm might earn credit by promptly and voluntarily modifying and improving its quality controls or other internal policies and procedures to prevent recurrence of the violative conduct.6/  A firm might take remedial or corrective action by re-assigning or limiting the activities of those individuals responsible for violations (which might include members of the audit team, as well as persons outside the audit team, including persons in firm management), and in appropriate cases by terminating or imposing discipline upon the responsible individuals.  A firm’s remedial or corrective action might also include promptly notifying its audit client or its audit committee (as appropriate) of the violative conduct and cooperating with the client, so that the client can (if necessary) take steps to comply with the federal securities laws and regulations (e.g., by engaging an auditor to re-audit the financial statements affected by an auditor’s independence violations).  A firm’s remedial or corrective action also might include appropriately compensating those adversely affected by the firm’s violations.
Substantial Assistance to the Board’s investigative processes or to other law enforcement authorities includes timely and voluntarily providing information or documents that might not have been discovered absent that cooperation, or beyond that sought by the Board’s staff via accounting board demands and requests, and beyond what is required pursuant to legal and regulatory reporting requirements.  For example, a firm might substantially assist the Board by conducting a timely, thorough, objective and competent internal investigation into the violative conduct when it was discovered, and informing the Division’s staff of the pertinent facts discovered in the internal investigation.  A firm or associated person might substantially assist another law enforcement authority’s investigative processes by self-reporting to that authority, or providing it with the facts discovered in an internal investigation.7/
(Continued) Investigations, or by providing information and documents via the Board’s tips hotline:  http://pcaobus.org/Enforcement/Tips/Pages/default.aspx.  See also fn.7.  6/  The nature and extent of any such modifications and improvements would be taken into account by the Board in determining what credit the firm might earn.  A firm’s improvements in response to quality control criticisms or defects identified by the Board in its inspections process would not qualify for credit.  7/  Note that other law enforcement authorities, including the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, have issued (Continued)

POLICY STATEMENT
PCAOB Release No. 2013-003 April 24, 2013
III. How might extraordinary cooperation be credited?
Credit for extraordinary cooperation in PCAOB matters may be reflected in a variety of ways.  Credit may be reflected by reducing charges and sanctions imposed in settlement against the cooperating firm or associated person.  Extraordinary cooperation could, in some cases, lead to language in settlement documents noting the cooperation and its positive effect on the final settlement by the firm or associated person.  In exceptional cases, depending on the facts and circumstances involved, the level of extraordinary cooperation could lead to no disciplinary action at all against a firm or associated person.
IV. Other Factors
There exists some tension between the Board’s interest in encouraging (and crediting) extraordinary cooperation and its interest in holding firms and associated persons fully accountable for their violative conduct.  The Board’s cooperation policy is intended to balance that tension, encouraging cooperation with the Board and its staff while maintaining accountability for violative conduct.  Thus, whether a firm or associated person provided extraordinary cooperation is only one factor that will be considered in determining the appropriate disciplinary response to violative conduct.  Other factors also may impact the appropriate regulatory response to any particular violative conduct, including the nature of the misconduct and its root causes (including whether it was deliberate, the result of recklessness, negligence, or honest mistake), whether there were repeated violations or a pattern of misconduct, the duration of the misconduct, and the existence of prior disciplinary history.  For firms, whether supervisors or firm management directed, tolerated or remained willfully blind to the violative conduct may impact the appropriate regulatory response.  Also for firms, self-policing and the implementation of quality controls prior to the discovery of the violative conduct, including the establishment of effective compliance procedures, an effective internal whistleblower and complaint system, and an appropriate tone at the top, may impact the appropriate regulatory response.  For associated persons, their role in the violative conduct and their knowledge, education, training, experience in auditing,                                                  (Continued) cooperation policies and initiatives, crediting cooperation in those authorities’ proceedings.  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s cooperation initiative, applicable to that agency’s investigations and enforcement actions, is described at http://sec.gov/spotlight/enfcoopinitiative.shtml.  The Division coordinates with these agencies and other regulators, as permitted by the Act.

POLICY STATEMENT
PCAOB Release No. 2013-003 April 24, 2013
and position of responsibility at the time the violations occurred may impact the appropriate regulatory response.  The specific facts and circumstances of each case will be considered to determine whether (and how) the firm or associated person should receive credit for extraordinary cooperation.
V. Conclusion
The PCAOB was established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies (and broker-dealers) in order to protect the interests of investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate and independent audit reports.  Extraordinary cooperation can contribute significantly to those interests by, among other things, allowing the Board to address possible audit or other violations sooner, reducing the risk that such violative conduct will be repeated and result in more significant harm to investors, and assisting the Board in identifying audit reports that may be inaccurate.  Also, crediting extraordinary cooperation may shorten investigations and reduce the burdens on the Board’s resources, thus allowing the Board to focus on other potential auditor misconduct for the protection of investors.  Providing this guidance and publicly acknowledging extraordinary cooperation may encourage firms and associated persons to provide extraordinary cooperation, and may provide insights into how extraordinary cooperation is credited.”

This ends the information from the PCAOB.

Soreide Law Group will represent CPA’s in front of the Florida Board of Accountancy (BOA) regarding any licensing issues. For more information about professional licensing law please call to speak with an attorney at: (888) 760-6552.

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Disciplinary Actions in Florida Related to Pharmacy

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

The following are the statutes found on Florida’s Department of Health’s website under, “2012 Statutes and Rules. Pharmacy.”

465.023 Pharmacy permittee; disciplinary action.—

(1) The department or the board may revoke or suspend the permit of any pharmacy permittee, and may fine, place on probation, or otherwise discipline any pharmacy permittee if the permittee, or any affiliated person, partner, officer, director, or agent of the permittee, including a person fingerprinted under s. 465.022(3), has:

(a) Obtained a permit by misrepresentation or fraud or through an error of the department or the board;
(b) Attempted to procure, or has procured, a permit for any other person by making, or causing to be made, any false representation;
(c) Violated any of the requirements of this chapter or any of the rules of the Board of Pharmacy; of chapter 499, known as the “Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act”; of 21 U.S.C. ss. 301-392, known as the “Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act”; of 21 U.S.C. ss. 821 et seq., known as the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act; or of chapter 893;
(d) Been convicted or found guilty, regardless of adjudication, of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude in any of the courts of this state, of any other state, or of the United States;
(e) Been convicted or disciplined by a regulatory agency of the Federal Government or a regulatory agency of another state for any offense that would constitute a violation of this chapter;
(f) Been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction which relates to the practice of, or the ability to practice, the profession of pharmacy;
(g) Been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction which relates to health care fraud; or
(h) Dispensed any medicinal drug based upon a communication that purports to be a prescription as defined by s. 465.003(14) or s. 893.02 when the pharmacist knows or has reason to believe that the purported prescription is not based upon a valid practitioner-patient relationship that includes a documented patient evaluation, including history and a physical examination adequate to establish the diagnosis for which any drug is prescribed and any other requirement established by board rule under chapter 458, chapter 459, chapter 461, chapter 463, chapter 464, or chapter 466.
(2) If a pharmacy permit is revoked or suspended, the owner, manager, or proprietor shall cease to operate the establishment as a pharmacy as of the effective date of such suspension or revocation. In the event of such revocation or suspension, the owner, manager, or proprietor shall remove from the premises all signs and symbols identifying the premises as a pharmacy. The period of such suspension shall be prescribed by the Board of Pharmacy, but in no case shall it exceed 1 year. In the event that the permit is revoked, the person owning or operating the establishment shall not be entitled to make application for a permit to operate a pharmacy for a period of 1 year from the date of such revocation. Upon the effective date of such revocation, the permittee shall advise the Board of Pharmacy of the disposition of the medicinal drugs located on the premises. Such disposition shall be subject to continuing supervision and approval by the Board of Pharmacy.
This ends the information from the Florida Board of Health’s website.

These are some of the situations that could put your Florida Pharmacy license in jeopardy. Your license is your livelihood.

Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent those seeking admittance to the Florida Board of Pharmacy. We also represent those pharmacists brought in front of the Florida Board of Pharmacy in disciplinary hearings. To speak to a lawyer regarding these issues please call: (888) 760-6552.

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Florida Statutes for Licensed Dentists Regarding Disciplinary Action

Monday, April 29th, 2013

The following are just a small sampling (this is only one of three pages) of the statutes regarding grounds for disciplinary actions found on Florida’s Department of Health’s website under Dentistry.

466.028 Grounds for disciplinary action; action by the board.—

(1) The following acts constitute grounds for denial of a license or disciplinary action, as specified in s. 456.072

(2): (a) Attempting to obtain, obtaining, or renewing a license under this chapter by bribery, fraudulent misrepresentations, or through an error of the department or the board.

(b) Having a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority of another state, territory, or country.

(c) Being convicted or found guilty of or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a
crime in any jurisdiction which relates to the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene. A plea of nolo contendere shall create a rebuttable presumption of guilt to the underlying criminal charges.

(d) Advertising goods or services in a manner which is fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading in form or content contrary to s. 466.019 or rules of the board adopted pursuant thereto.

(e) Advertising, practicing, or attempting to practice under a name other than one’s own.

(f) Failing to report to the department any person who the licensee knows, or has reason to believe, is clearly in violation of this chapter or of the rules of the department or the board.

(g) Aiding, assisting, procuring, or advising any unlicensed person to practice dentistry or dental hygiene contrary to this chapter or to a rule of the department or the board.

(h) Being employed by any corporation, organization, group, or person other than a dentist or a professional corporation or limited liability company composed of dentists to practice dentistry.

(i) Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation placed upon a licensee.

(j) Making or filing a report which the licensee knows to be false, failing to file a report or record required by state or federal law, knowingly impeding or obstructing such filing or inducing another person to do so. Such reports or records shall include only those which are signed in the capacity as a licensee.

(k) Committing any act which would constitute sexual battery, as defined in chapter 794, upon a patient or intentionally touching the sexual organ of a patient.

(l) Making deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent representations in or related to the practice of dentistry.

(m) Failing to keep written dental records and medical history records justifying the course of treatment of the patient including, but not limited to, patient histories, examination results, test results, and X rays, if taken.

(n) Failing to make available to a patient or client, or to her or his legal representative or to the department if authorized in writing by the patient, copies of documents in the possession or under control of the licensee which relate to the patient or client.

(o) Performing professional services which have not been duly authorized by the patient or client, or her or his legal representative, except as provided in ss. 766.103 and 768.13.

(p) Prescribing, procuring, dispensing, administering, mixing, or otherwise preparing a legend drug, including any controlled substance, other than in the course of the professional practice of the dentist. For the purposes of this paragraph, it shall be legally presumed that prescribing, procuring, dispensing, administering, mixing, or otherwise preparing legend drugs, including all controlled substances, in excessive or inappropriate quantities is not in the best interest of the patient and is not in the course of the professional practice of the dentist, without regard to her or his intent.

This information should not be misconstrued as legal advice, and is only a sampling of the statutes in the State of Florida for Dentists.

The Soreide Law Group represents those seeking admittance to the Florida Board of Dentistry. We also represent those dentists brought in front of the Florida Board of Dentistry for disciplinary hearings.  To speak to a lawyer regarding these issues please call: (888) 760-6552.

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Florida Licensed CPAs

Tuesday, March 5th, 2013

In the State of Florida, The Uniform CPA Exam, administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is a prerequisite for earning the CPA certificate in Florida, as well as throughout the rest of the United States and its territories. The Uniform CPA Exam allows state boards of accountancy to determine a CPA candidate’s competence.

The Uniform CPA Exam is the same throughout the United States, however, eligibility requirements for taking the exam vary from state to state.

Go to the Florida Board of Accountancy’s website to view a full list of requirements for taking the Uniform CPA Exam in Florida.

There are 23 colleges and universities in Florida that offer accredited accounting programs and related degrees. CPAs are accountants who have at least a bachelor’s degree from a university that has an accredited accounting curriculum, and who have taken the written CPA examination.

Attorney Lars Soreide, of Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent CPA’s in front of the Florida Board of Accountancy (BOA) regarding any licensing issues.  For a free consultation an attorney call: (888) 760-6552.

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Discipline Actions Against Florida Nurses

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

The following information was obtained from the Official Internet Site of the Florida Legislature, “The 2012 Florida Statutes.”  This is a listing of the Statutes from the State of Florida regarding the discipline of nurses.

“464.018 Disciplinary actions.—

(1) The following acts constitute grounds for denial of a license or disciplinary action, as specified in s.456.072(2):

(a) Procuring, attempting to procure, or renewing a license to practice nursing by bribery, by knowing misrepresentations, or through an error of the department or the board.
(b) Having a license to practice nursing revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority of another state, territory, or country.
(c) Being convicted or found guilty of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction which directly relates to the practice of nursing or to the ability to practice nursing.
(d) Being found guilty, regardless of adjudication, of any of the following offenses:

1. A forcible felony as defined in chapter 776.
2. A violation of chapter 812, relating to theft, robbery, and related crimes.
3. A violation of chapter 817, relating to fraudulent practices.
4. A violation of chapter 800, relating to lewdness and indecent exposure.
5. A violation of chapter 784, relating to assault, battery, and culpable negligence.
6. A violation of chapter 827, relating to child abuse.
7. A violation of chapter 415, relating to protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
8. A violation of chapter 39, relating to child abuse, abandonment, and neglect.
(e) Having been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, any offense prohibited under s. 435.04 or similar statute of another jurisdiction; or having committed an act which constitutes domestic violence as defined in s.741.28.
(f) Making or filing a false report or record, which the licensee knows to be false, intentionally or negligently failing to file a report or record required by state or federal law, willfully impeding or obstructing such filing or inducing another person to do so. Such reports or records shall include only those which are signed in the nurse’s capacity as a licensed nurse.
(g) False, misleading, or deceptive advertising.
(h) Unprofessional conduct, as defined by board rule.
(i) Engaging or attempting to engage in the possession, sale, or distribution of controlled substances as set forth in chapter 893, for any other than legitimate purposes authorized by this part.
(j) Being unable to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness or use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, or chemicals or any other type of material or as a result of any mental or physical condition. In enforcing this paragraph, the department shall have, upon a finding of the State Surgeon General or the State Surgeon General’s designee that probable cause exists to believe that the licensee is unable to practice nursing because of the reasons stated in this paragraph, the authority to issue an order to compel a licensee to submit to a mental or physical examination by physicians designated by the department. If the licensee refuses to comply with such order, the department’s order directing such examination may be enforced by filing a petition for enforcement in the circuit court where the licensee resides or does business. The licensee against whom the petition is filed shall not be named or identified by initials in any public court records or documents, and the proceedings shall be closed to the public. The department shall be entitled to the summary procedure provided in s. 51.011. A nurse affected by the provisions of this paragraph shall at reasonable intervals be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate that she or he can resume the competent practice of nursing with reasonable skill and safety to patients.
(k) Failing to report to the department any person who the licensee knows is in violation of this part or of the rules of the department or the board; however, if the licensee verifies that such person is actively participating in a board-approved program for the treatment of a physical or mental condition, the licensee is required to report such person only to an impaired professionals consultant.
(l) Knowingly violating any provision of this part, a rule of the board or the department, or a lawful order of the board or department previously entered in a disciplinary proceeding or failing to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena of the department.
(m) Failing to report to the department any licensee under chapter 458 or under chapter 459 who the nurse knows has violated the grounds for disciplinary action set out in the law under which that person is licensed and who provides health care services in a facility licensed under chapter 395, or a health maintenance organization certificated under part I of chapter 641, in which the nurse also provides services.
(n) Failing to meet minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing nursing practice, including engaging in acts for which the licensee is not qualified by training or experience.
(o) Violating any provision of this chapter or chapter 456, or any rules adopted pursuant thereto.
(2) The board may enter an order denying licensure or imposing any of the penalties in s.456.072(2) against any applicant for licensure or licensee who is found guilty of violating any provision of subsection (1) of this section or who is found guilty of violating any provision of s. 456.072(1).
(3) The board shall not reinstate the license of a nurse, or cause a license to be issued to a person it has deemed unqualified, until such time as it is satisfied that such person has complied with all the terms and conditions set forth in the final order and that such person is capable of safely engaging in the practice of nursing.
(4) The board shall not reinstate the license of a nurse who has been found guilty by the board on three separate occasions of violations of this part relating to the use of drugs or narcotics, which offenses involved the diversion of drugs or narcotics from patients to personal use or sale.
(5) The board shall by rule establish guidelines for the disposition of disciplinary cases involving specific types of violations. Such guidelines may include minimum and maximum fines, periods of supervision or probation, or conditions of probation or reissuance of a license.”
This ends the article from the website. This is merely a reminder of the statutes.  We highly recommend checking regularly with the Florida Department of Health.
If you feel your Florida professional nursing license is in jeopardy, contact us. Remember, your license is your livelihood.

Attorney Lars Soreide, of Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Nursing if you are a Florida nursing student or a Florida nurse with licensing issues. To speak to a lawyer regarding your nursing license please call: (888) 760-6552, or visit our website a www.floridaprofessionallicense.com.

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All Florida Engineers Must Renew Licenses by February 28, 2012

Monday, January 14th, 2013

The following appeared on the (FBPE) Florida Board of Professional Engineers’ website.

 

“All current and active licenses for Florida engineers are set to expire on February 28, 2013.  Licensure renewal officially opened on November 5, 2012.”

 

The FBPE has provided valuable information, guidelines and explanations of changes that have been made.  We highly recommend visiting the FBPE’s website for the most current and up-to-date information.

If you feel your Florida professional license is in jeopardy contact us. Remember, your license is your livelihood.

Soreide Law Group will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Professional Engineers regarding licensing issues.  To speak with an attorney, please call: (888)760-6552 or visit our website at: ww.floridaprofessionallicense.com.

 

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Florida Veterinary Medicine

Wednesday, January 9th, 2013

The following information was obtained from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website listed under Board of Veterinary Medicine.  This is just a fraction of the Florida Statutes listed under Disciplinary proceedings.

“474.214 Disciplinary proceedings.—

(1) The following acts shall constitute grounds for which the disciplinary actions in subsection (2) may be taken:

(a) Attempting to procure a license to practice veterinary medicine by bribery, by fraudulent representations, or through an error of the department or the board.
(b) Having a license or the authority to practice veterinary medicine revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority of any jurisdiction, including any agency or subdivision thereof. The licensing authority’s acceptance of a veterinarian’s relinquishment of a license, stipulation, consent order, or other settlement, offered in response to or in anticipation of the filing of administrative charges against the veterinarian’s license or authority to practice, shall be construed as action against the veterinarian’s license or authority to practice.
(c) Being convicted or found guilty, regardless of adjudication, of a crime in any jurisdiction which directly relates to the practice of veterinary medicine or the ability to practice veterinary medicine. Any crime which demonstrates a lack of regard for animal life relates to the ability to practice veterinary medicine. In addition, crimes relating to the ability to practice veterinary medicine shall include, but not be limited to, crimes involving any violation of state or federal drug laws.
(d) Making or filing a report or record which the licensee knows to be false, intentionally or negligently failing to file a report or record required by state or federal law, willfully impeding or obstructing such filing, or inducing another person to impede or obstruct such filing. Such reports or records shall include only those which are signed in the capacity of a licensed veterinarian.
(e) Advertising goods or services in a manner which is fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading in form or content.
(f) Violating any provision of this chapter or chapter 455, a rule of the board or department, or a lawful order of the board or department previously entered in a disciplinary hearing, or failing to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena of the department.
(g) Practicing with a revoked, suspended, inactive, or delinquent license.
(h) Being unable to practice veterinary medicine with reasonable skill or safety to patients by reason of illness, drunkenness, use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other material or substance or as a result of any mental or physical condition. In enforcing this paragraph, upon a finding by the secretary, the secretary’s designee, or the probable cause panel of the board that probable cause exists to believe that the licensee is unable to practice the profession because of the reasons stated in this paragraph, the department shall have the authority to compel a licensee to submit to a mental or physical examination by a physician designated by the department. If the licensee refuses to comply with the department’s order, the department may file a petition for enforcement in the circuit court of the circuit in which the licensee resides or does business. The licensee shall not be named or identified by initials in any other public court records or documents and the enforcement proceedings shall be closed to the public. The department shall be entitled to the summary procedure provided in s. 51.011. A licensee affected under this paragraph shall be afforded an opportunity at reasonable intervals to demonstrate that she or he can resume the competent practice for which she or he is licensed with reasonable skill and safety to patients. Neither the record of proceedings nor the orders entered by the board in any proceedings under this paragraph shall be used against a licensee in any other proceedings.
(i) Judicially determined mental incompetency. However, a license suspended for this cause may be reinstated upon legal restoration of the competency of the individual whose license was so suspended.”
This ends the information from the DBPR’s website.
Again, this was only a fraction of the statutes relating to discipline, licensing and regulating veterinarians.  The board meets regularly to consider applications for licensure, to review disciplinary cases, and to conduct informal hearings relating to licensure and discipline.
Remember, your license is your livelihood.
The Soreide Law Group will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine. To speak to a lawyer regarding licensing issues please call: (888) 760-6552, or visit our website at: www.floridalicenselaws.com

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Florida CPA License Requirements

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

On the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website under “Division of Certified Public Accounting,” the requirements for obtaining a CPA are listed as the following:  This information can be found on the DBPR’s website.

 

“REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

  • PASS ALL FOUR PARTS OF CPA EXAMINATION: with at least a 75%   within 18 month rolling period.
  • ONE YEAR WORK EXPERIENCE:  Must be  verified by a   licensed CPA (This experience can be obtained prior to the application, while   sitting for the exam or after all four parts of the exam has been passed. However, requirements to sit for the exam must be met before work experience commences.)
  • TOTAL REQUIRED HOURS: 150 semester or 200 quarter hours
  • TOTAL UPPER DIVISION ACCOUNTING HOURS:  36 semester or 54   quarter to include the following:  Taxation, Auditing, Financial,   Cost/Managerial and Accounting Info Systems.
  • TOTAL UPPER DIVISION GENERAL BUSINESS HOURS:  39 semester   hours or 58 quarter hours to include the following:  six (6) semester hours   or eight (8) quarter hours of business law.  One course can be at a lower lever   (freshman or sophomore), the other course must be upper division (junior level   or higher).  Business Law 1 and Legal Environment of Business are often   considered duplicate.

Other important information:  These requirements include the   requirements to sit for the CPA exam under the 120 semester or 160 quarter hour   rule.”

This ends the information from the DBPR’s website.  We encourage anyone interested in the CPA requirements to obtain all current and changing information there.

Remember, your license is your livelihood.

Attorney Lars Soreide, of Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent CPA’s in front of the Florida Board of Accountancy (BOA) regarding any licensing issues. For more information about professional licensing law please visit our website at: http://www.floridaprofessionallicense.com or call to speak with an attorney at: (888) 760-6552.

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