According to statute, agents of the Division's Office of Investigations are required to inspect various aspects of businesses run by professionals who are licensed by the boards of registration.
Investigators perform inspections either routinely or as part of the investigation of complaints.
Many consumers who are dissatisfied with services provided by licensees have received refunds or financial settlements from licensees due to the efforts of Division personnel. Refunds include deposits made on homes, cost of eye glasses, electrical and plumbing work and deposit money for prearranged funerals. The Boards of Registration of Cosmetology, Real Estate Appraisers, and Public Accountancy are the only boards that are empowered to impose fines on licensees. In fiscal year 1999, the Office of Investigations received 2,117 formal complaints. Investigators inspected 4,022 businesses, checking 8,415 licenses.