Dade and Broward Counties—On September 16, 2010, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation investigators conducted a sweep of Dade and Broward counties for unlicensed talent agents. During the sweep, investigators visited talent agencies to check for proper licensure and issued two citations and one cease and desist notice to unlicensed talent agents.
“Talent agents play an important role for aspiring actors, singers and models, and it is important that they have the required education and credentials to navigate entertainment industry,” said Secretary Charlie Liem.
The following agencies were issued penalties for acting as a talent agent without a license:
Name | Address | Penalty |
| One Source Talent | 1250 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Suite 603, Hallandale Beach Fla. 33009 | Cease and Desist Notice |
| MC2 Model Management | 1674 Alton Rd., Suite 500 Miami Beach, Fla. 33139 | Citation |
| Seth Rudolph & Associates, Age Model Management | 940 Lincoln Rd., Suite 202 Miami, Fla. 33139 | Citation |
This latest South Florida talent agent sweep was part of DBPR’s quarterly statewide unlicensed activity operation. This quarter, department investigators focused on the smaller professions regulated by the department, such as landscape architects, auctioneers and talent agents. The department is charged with regulating 18 different professions with more than 410,000 licensees.
Remember, hiring an unlicensed individual can threaten the financial and personal safety of consumers, as well as the livelihood of state-licensed professionals. Unlicensed individuals may not carry workers’ compensation or liability insurance, and consumers may end up paying for injuries on the job. Additionally, unlicensed individuals often underbid licensed professionals, which results in law-abiding professionals losing work to those who do not meet state licensure requirements.
Here are some tips to help consumers protect themselves against unlicensed activity:
- Always ask to see the State of Florida license.
- Note the license number and verify that the license is current. To check a license, call 850-487-1395 .
- Ask for references and check each one.
- Do not pay cash and be cautious of writing checks made payable to individuals, especially when dealing with a company.
- Get everything in writing, including a detailed description of the work to be completed, a completion date and the total cost.
- Report suspected unlicensed activity at toll-free at 1-866-532-1440.
The department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists.
This information was obtained from Florida’s DBPR’s website.