Tallahassee, Fla. – Beginning July 1 the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Hotels and Restaurants will implement the risk-based inspection frequency program in accordance with a law passed during the 2013 Legislative Session. The new inspection frequency program will lower the regulatory burden for businesses that have a positive compliance history with DBPR as well as allow the department to focus its regulatory efforts in locations that may pose a higher risk to public safety.
“Florida’s restaurants and food trucks not only serve the citizens of the state, but also those who are visiting on vacation, so ensuring public safety is crucial to Florida’s growing economy,” said DBPR Secretary Ken Lawson. “This new inspection frequency program allows the department to hone our regulatory efforts, which makes great business sense for our licensees and for Florida’s taxpayers.”
Under the new inspection frequency requirements, food service establishments will be categorized by risk levels rated one through four. Assigned risk levels directly coincide with how many inspections establishments are required to undergo each fiscal year. For example, those assigned to level one, will be required to undergo one inspection each fiscal year, whereas those assigned to level four will be required to undergo four inspections each fiscal year. Additionally, the requirement for the department to conduct an inspection each time a complaint is received will remain the same.
An establishment’s initial classification shall be assigned upon annual inspection or upon application for a license and verified at the licensing inspection. Additionally, at the beginning of each fiscal year, DBPR will reassess each establishment’s inspection frequency classification and reclassify an establishment, if necessary. DBPR has a very robust website as well as the DBPR Mobile app where consumers can go to view an establishment’s inspection results anytime as well as an establishment’s newly-assigned risk level.
The complete guidelines surrounding risk-based inspection frequency can be found in rule 61C-1.002 F.A.C. Consumers or licensees with questions regarding the new inspection frequency may also call DBPR at 850.487.1395 or visit the department’s website athttp://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/hr/inspections/Frequency.html.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from hotels and restaurants, real estate agents and certified public accountants to veterinarians, contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com.
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More information about DBPR is available online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com. Also, follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for updates about license cycles, events and other important news.