Notice of Variances and Waivers

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
Board of Accountancy
Rule No.: RULE TITLE
61H1-27.001: College or University Requirements
61H1-27.002: Concentrations in Accounting and Business
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on October 21, 2010, the Board of Accountancy has issued an order.
The Order is regarding the Petition for Waiver or Variance, filed on March 2, 2010, by Pedro F. Ruiz. The Notice of Petition for Waiver or Variance was published in Vol. 36, No. 13, of the April 2, 2010, Florida Administrative Weekly. Petitioner sought a waiver or variance of paragraph 61H1-27.001(5)(a), F.A.C., entitled “College or University Requirements,” which lists the requirements for an applicant for licensure who holds a degree from a college that is not accredited. Petitioner also sought a waiver or variance of paragraph 61H1-27.002(3)(a), Florida Administrative Code, entitled, “Concentrations in Accounting and Business,” which requires that an applicant for the licensure examination have 24 semester or 36 quarter hours in general business education to include not less than the equivalent of 6 semester or 8 quarter hours in business law courses with coverage of the uniform commercial code, contracts and torts. The Board considered the instant Petition at a duly-noticed public meeting, held May 14, 2010, in Tampa, Florida.
The Board’s Order partially approved and partially denied the petition finding that Petitioner had established that the purpose of the underlying statute, Section 473.306(2), Florida Statutes, would be met by granting a variance or waiver from paragraph 61H1-27.001(5)(a), F.A.C. The Board further found that Petitioner established that applying the requirements of the aforementioned rule to his circumstances would violate principles of fairness and impose substantial hardship. Petitioner failed to establish that the purpose of the underlying statute, Section 473.306(3), F.S. would be met by granting a variance or waiver from paragraph 61H1-27.002(3)(a), F.A.C. The Board further found that Petitioner failed to establish that applying the requirements of the aforementioned rule to his circumstances would violate principles of fairness and impose substantial hardship.
A copy of the Order may be obtained by contacting: Veloria Kelly, Division Director, Board of Accountancy, 240 N. W. 76th Dr., Suite A, Gainesville, Florida 32607.