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MAINE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION 35 State House Station - Augusta, Maine 04333-0035
Contact:	David Bragdon Christine A. Bruenn	(207) 624-8525 (207) 624-8511


For Immediate Release	Tuesday - August 30, 2005
Professional & Financial Regulation Commissioner Bruenn Announces New Online License Renewal Applications for Maine Professionals

Augusta, Maine: More than 130,000 Maine license holders can now enjoy the convenience of renewing their licenses online, Christine A. Bruenn, the commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, announced today. The online renewal process represents a significant enhancement of the state’s ability to bring the benefits of e-government to Maine businesses and workers.

The culmination of a two-year initiative by the department, the Online License Renewal Application is capable of accommodating the licensees of 40 different licensing authorities.

“E-government represents more than just a change in technology. The Governor has challenged departments to improve the way Maine people access state services and enhance their experience of dealing with government. We continually strive to make state services more personalized, efficient and responsive,” said Commissioner Bruenn.

The majority of regulated professions and occupations that will benefit from the new service are overseen by the Office of Licensing and Registration and the Office of Securities.

“We are proud to be making another contribution to the state’s e-government services,” said Anne Head, director of the department’s Office of Licensing and Registration. “Businesses and individual licensees now have the convenience of renewing licenses online around-the-clock, 7 days a week, and from any location in the world where they have Internet access.”

Applicants also will enjoy the efficiency of instant feedback when completing their application. Using the conventional mail method of renewing licenses, applicants may not learn for some days if they have omitted mandatory information or paid the wrong fee. The online application provides immediate feedback when required information is omitted and automatically calculates the proper fees for the applicant.

In addition to convenience for the applicant, online license renewals decrease processing time and help hold the line on administrative costs. The applicant performs the data entry, resulting in fewer errors requiring attention by licensing clerks.

Although the conventional renewal application process is still an option, applicants are strongly encouraged to use the online application. Contact information and the online application may be accessed at www5.informe.org/pfr/.

This online service has attracted attention from both the Governor and the Chief Information Officer. State Chief Information Officer Richard Thompson praised the department’s forward thinking.

"PFR is taking a leading role in improving service to its constituents by offering state-of-the-art access via the Internet. This project demonstrates the state's commitment to electronic government," Thompson said.

Maine’s Web-based services have garnered national recognition and a number of prestigious awards. In January 2005 the Center for Digital Government presented the first place award in its Best of the Web competition to Governor Baldacci. The state’s Web site was rated the best state government portal in the country for 2004. In presenting the award, the Center praised the high number of state services available online and the large number of Maine citizens who utilize those services.

Licenses and registrations issued by the following authorities are now available for renewal online:

• Accountancy, Board of
• Alcohol and Drug Counselors, State Board of
• Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers, Board for Licensure of
• Athletic Trainers (registration)
• Auctioneers, Board of Licensing of
• Barbering & Cosmetology, Board of
• Boiler and Pressure Vessels, Board of
• Chiropractic Licensure, Board of
• Complementary Health Care Providers, Board of
• Counseling Professionals Licensure, Board of
• Dietetic Practice, Board of Licensing of
• Electricians Examining Board
• Elevator & Tramway Safety, Board of
• Foresters, Board of Licensure of
• Funeral Service, State Board of
• Geologists and Soil Scientists, Board of Certification for
• Hearing Aid Dealers & Fitters, Board of
• Interpreters for Deaf & Hard of Hearing (registration)
• Professional Land Surveyors, Board of Licensure for
• Propane & Natural Gas Board
• Manufactured Housing Board
• Massage Therapists (registration)
• Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Board
• Occupational Therapy Practice, Board of
• Oil and Solid Fuel Board
• Optometry, Board of
• Pharmacy, Board of
• Physical Therapy, Board of Examiners in
• Plumbers Examining Board
• Podiatric Medicine, Board of Licensure of
• Psychologists, State Board of Examiners of
• Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners
• Real Estate Commission
• Real Estate Appraisers, Board of
• Respiratory Care Practitioners, Board of
• Securities, Office of
• Social Worker Licensure, State Board of
• Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Board of Examiners on
• Transient Sellers (registration)
• Veterinary Medicine, State Board of

The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation is an umbrella agency for insurance, banking, securities and consumer credit regulation, as well as 41 professional licensing boards and registration programs. The department fosters a healthy business environment through efficient regulation and encourages sound ethical business practices that serve the citizens of Maine.

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