Elevate Legal Services, PLLC

Florida Home Inspector License Compliance & DBPR Defense Guide

Florida Home Inspector License Compliance & DBPR Defense Guide

Home inspectors in Florida provide an essential service to homebuyers, real estate professionals, and investors by identifying defects, safety hazards, and maintenance concerns in residential properties. Because their reports often determine whether a purchase proceeds, inspectors are heavily regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Obtaining and maintaining a license requires […]

Florida Talent Agency License Compliance & DBPR Defense Guide

Florida Talent Agency License Compliance & DBPR Defense Guide

Florida’s entertainment industry is one of the busiest in the country, and talent agencies are at the heart of it. Whether representing actors, models, musicians, or athletes, agencies must comply with strict licensing rules set by the DBPR Board of Professional Regulation for talent agencies. The licensing process is designed to protect both talent and […]

Florida Yacht & Ship Broker License Compliance & DBPR Defense Guide

Florida Yacht & Ship Broker License Compliance & DBPR Defense Guide

Florida is home to one of the largest boating industries in the world. With its extensive coastline, thriving tourism, and luxury yacht market, yacht and ship brokers play a vital role in the state’s economy. But with opportunity comes responsibility. Florida law requires brokers and salespersons to hold valid licenses, comply with consumer protection rules, […]

Can You Appeal a Final Order? Introducing the Notice of Appeal under Rule 9.110(c)

Can You Appeal a Final Order? Introducing the Notice of Appeal under Rule 9.110(c)

When the Florida Department of Health (DOH) or one of its licensing boards issues a Final Order, the consequences can be devastating. For healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and occupational therapy assistants, a Final Order can mean the suspension or revocation of a license, costly fines, or long-term restrictions on professional practice. Careers, reputations, […]

Florida Alcoholic Beverage & Tobacco License Compliance & Defense Guide

Florida Alcoholic Beverage & Tobacco License Compliance & Defense Guide

Running a bar, restaurant, nightclub, or retail store in Florida that sells alcohol or tobacco products can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with strict regulatory requirements. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), through its Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT), oversees all licensing, compliance, and enforcement for alcohol and […]

Protect Your Professional License: Why a Declaratory Statement Could Be Your Best Defense

Protect Your Professional License: Why a Declaratory Statement Could Be Your Best Defense

For Florida’s healthcare professionals, holding a license is far more than a credential. It represents years of education, significant investment, and an unwavering commitment to patient care. Yet that same license can be put at risk with a single misstep, whether intentional or not. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) regulates hundreds of thousands of […]

Criminal Records, AHCA Exemptions, and DOH Licensure: A Two-Track Survival Guide

Criminal Records, AHCA Exemptions, and DOH Licensure: A Two-Track Survival Guide

In Florida, healthcare workers operate under strict regulatory oversight. While these rules are designed to protect patients, they can also create serious challenges for professionals with a criminal record. A past mistake, even decades old, can jeopardize a career through disqualification by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) or disciplinary action by the Florida […]

Mitigating the Impact of an ERO: The Importance of a Timely Petition for Review

Mitigating the Impact of an ERO: The Importance of a Timely Petition for Review

Healthcare practitioners in Florida dedicate years to building a practice and reputation. When the Florida Department of Health (DOH) issues an Emergency Restriction Order (ERO), that career can change overnight. An ERO is an urgent, nonfinal order that restricts a licensee’s ability to practice when regulators believe there is an immediate serious danger to the […]

The Hidden Lifeline: AHCA Exemptions for Florida Healthcare Workers

The Hidden Lifeline: AHCA Exemptions for Florida Healthcare Workers

For many Florida healthcare workers, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) exemption process represents a hidden lifeline, a chance to continue a career in healthcare despite having a disqualifying criminal offense. In a profession where trust, safety, and compassion are paramount, background screenings can sometimes present obstacles that feel impossible to overcome. Yet, with […]