I don't know why everybody else had problems. Five years ago, my application process took 2 weeks before I was permitted to take the Florida certification exam. I just assumed that if you were certified elsewhere and your application was complete, it would take a short time.
Who did you know in the licensing section?
When I applied here two years ago, I called to check on the status about three weeks after application. I was told the licensing section was permitted 30 days after receipt to even look at the application. So about 6 weeks after application, I got a notice that they needed additional info. They, again, give themselves 30 days after receipt of the info to even look at it. Then they notice out- of-state coursework. So the package is sent to the Division of Real Estate for approval of the coursework. Thirty days later, it is approved and sent back to licensing. Thirty days later, they might get around to authorizing the applicant to take the exam. Then you need to schedule the exam. You pass the exam. The licensing section then takes their sweet-*** time issuing your license. And yes, I had to make a couple of calls to Ms. Peacock in an effort to speed things along since I had a job offer here and the start date was becoming dangerously close. Calling the licensing section is an exercise in futility, even if you manage to get a supervisor.
After I started working here, I upgraded to CG. The entire application process was redone. Right down to retaking fingerprints. I advised the licensing section that my fingerprints were already on file and they had not changed. No matter. I still had to get my fingerprints retaken. I had to resubmit my experience logs, including all the res experience they had already reviewed. My education, which had already been approved for the CR license, was resubmitted. Now the licensing section was giving itself 45 days to look at anything after receipt. Again, my education (which was already completely reviewed when I submitted my CR application and which included all the qualifying education for the CG at that time) was sent to Division of Real Estate for review since it was obtained out of state. Again, the licensing section gave itself 45 days to even look at the response from the Division of Real Estate.
The application approval process took six months to receive my CR license when I moved here. The application process to upgrade to my CG took six months when everything except some additional commercial experience had already been reviewed for the CR license.
Based upon my conversations with other appraisers here, my application approval experience was typical.
