CLEAR

Audit Reveals Strengths and Weaknesses of Utah Licensing Processes

A legislative audit of the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) has shown that while the agency is quick and effective in efforts to investigate complaints against professionals, the resolution of disciplinary issues lacks consistency. The handling of license applications and renewals are strengths of the agency, as is the investigation process. The only issues raised were in the effectiveness of disciplinary sanctions, particularly related to complaints of substance abuse by professionals. The agency has responded with increased reviews of case files and additional consumer resources.

More.

Michigan advisory committee recommends deregulation of 18 occupations, elimination of 9 boards

Michigan's Office of Regulatory Reinvention has issued a report recommending the deregulation of 18 occupations and the elimination nine occupational boards, following a review of the regulation of 87 occupations. The occupations recommended for deregulation are: acupuncturist, auctioneer, community planner, consumer finance services, dietitian and nutritionist, forensic polygraph examiner, forester, immigration clerical assistant, insurance solicitor, interior designer, landscape architect, ocularist, professional employer organizations, proprietary school solicitor, respiratory care, security alarm contractor, speech pathologist and vehicle protection product warrantor. The nine boards recommended for elimination are: Board of Acupuncture, Board of Auctioneers, Board of Carnivals & Amusement Rides, Board of Dietetics & Nutrition, Board of Occupational Therapy, Board of Respiratory Care, Board of Speech Language Pathology, Osteopathic Medicine Advisory Board and the Ski Area Safety Board. The majority of recommendations will require legislative approval before becoming effective.

Press release.

Audit criticizes South Carolina regulator over contract management processes

A report from South Carolina's Legislative Audit Council has expressed concern at the contract management processes in place at the state's  Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, suggesting the agency spent more than $2.1 million for a computer system that was never satisfactorily installed. Other findings were that on several occasions unauthorized staff made changes to the contract, spending in excess of $400,000 on unauthorized services. In addition, the report found the agency spent almost $200,000 on maintenance fees for the uninstalled system.

Report: A Review of the Professional and Occupational Licensing Division at the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

Maryland: DLLR information systems not properly secured

The Office of Legislative Audits has released Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation– Office of the Secretary and Division of Administration (DLLR) for the period beginning August 1, 2004 and ending August 31, 2007. DLLR's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing regulates 21 non-health professions and occupations. Findings include that available security features were not fully used to control information systems and DLLR’s website, which is used to issue and renew occupational and professional licenses and collect the related fees. The lack of appropriate network security means that unauthorized users may view confidential application information. 

Maryland: DOPL audit report

The Department of Legislative Services has released an audit report for the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation for the period beginning October 1, 2004 and ending August 31, 2007. The report recommends improvements in internal controls for the boards tested and points out that DOPL does not require the Elevator Safety Review Board to license and regulate elevator mechanics and contractors, as required by a 2001 law. DOPL responded that funding for that process was not approved until FY2009. Read the report.

South Carolina: Auctioneers' Commission review

The state Legislative Audit Council has completed its Review of the Operations of the South Carolina Auctioneers' Commission. The report concludes that the commission is operating in compliance with its statute, but recommends that the biennial license fee of $300 be lowered by $50.