The Issue Should the Petitioner be licensed in Florida as a barber as a result of the examination for licensure given in December of 1987?
Findings Of Fact The Petitioner took the examination for licensure as a barber in December of 1987. Although she achieved a passing score on the written portion of the examination, she did not obtain a passing score on the practical portion of the examination. The practical portion of the examination is divided into five parts. The Petitioner challenges the grade she received in the scoring of the haircut. The maximum number of points a licensure candidate can receive on a haircut is 45 points. A review of Respondent's Exhibit B shows that the Petitioner received 18 points for her performance on Sections 2-k, 2-o, and 2-p of the exam. She does not contest the examiners' ratings on Sections 2-j and 2- m. She is concerned only with the scores she received on Sections 2-l and 2-n. When the Petitioner took the examination, John E. Lewis was the model she used to demonstrate her ability to give a "styled" haircut. During the hearing, John E. Lewis explained the following characteristics of his head and scalp line: Mr. Lewis' ears are not symmetrically located. One ear is placed significantly higher on his head than his other ear, which gives them different heights in relation to his facial features. In addition, the hair on the left side of his head grows much thicker than the hair on the right side of his head. As a result of these characteristics, an optical illusion is created which makes hair of identical length on both sides of the head appear to be longer on the left side. During the barber examination, two examiners checked the style line of the haircut under Section 2-l. On the criteria rating sheets, they commented that the left side of the style line appeared longer. In rating the hair on each side as to evenness and balance (Section 2-n), the examiners each noted that the left side was either longer or fuller. Because of these evaluations, the Petitioner did not receive any points in categories 2-i or 2-n in the examination. Cathy Maynard Frank, a Florida licensed barber who was awarded a silver medal in the 1986 World Championship of Barbers and who has placed second nationally, testified as an expert witness on behalf of the Petitioner. Ms. Frank had an opportunity to observe and professionally review the haircut a few hours after the examination. In her opinion, the hair on both sides (under Section 2-n) was as close as a barber could get them. If the Petitioner had cut the left side shorter to avoid the optical illusion of unevenness, the thicker hair on the left side would have stuck straight out. Ms. Frank generally agreed with the examiners' evaluations in the other categories which contributed to her credibility as an expert witness. Ronald Max Young testified as an expert witness on behalf of the Respondent. Mr. Young is a barber who has been licensed in Florida since 1972. He is a lead examiner for the state and has participated in the examination process for the last five years. Mr. Young testified that the examination contains the standard criteria necessary to meet the minimum requirements for licensing. The examiners look for an even haircut, evenly balanced all the way around. If a model is not fitting, that is the candidate's problem, not the examiners' problem. Mr. Young did not have an opportunity to examine the haircut given by the Petitioner during the practical examination. He was unable to comment on the specifics which had been commented upon by Ms. Frank. However, he did vouch for the qualifications and abilities of the two examiners who independently rated the Petitioner's performance.
The Issue The issue in the proceeding is whether Respondent, Felix Robaina, violated provisions of the "Barbers' Act", Chapter 476, Florida Statutes, by operating a barbershop without a current active barbershop license. Background and Procedural Matters This proceeding commenced with an Administrative Complaint by Petitioner on September 18, 1985, and by Respondent, Robaina's timely request for a formal hearing. At the hearing Petitioner presented its evidence through the testimony of investigator, Jean Robinson, Felix Robaina and three exhibits. Respondent submitted one exhibit. All exhibits were admitted without objection. By stipulation of the parties, Vivian Lerma served as translator for Mr. Robaina. She was placed under oath for this purpose in accordance with Section 90.606, Florida Statutes. The parties have submitted Proposed Recommended Orders with proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. These have been considered and, where appropriate, have been incorporated into this Recommended Order. Specific rulings on each proposed finding of fact are found in the Appendix attached hereto.
Findings Of Fact Felix Robaina was born in Cuba and came to the United States in May, 1980. He cannot read, write or speak English and understands English very little. He took the barber's exam in Spanish and has been continually licensed as a barber by the Florida Barber's Board since June, 1983. On July 15, 1983, he opened his shop, Chosen Barber Shop, in Belle Glade, Florida. The shop had previously been owned by Antonio Garcia but was closed when Mr. Garcia died in 1982 or early 1983. Mr. Robaina has continually worked alone in the shop since he opened it and regular hours are 9 am to 7 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Jean Robinson, an investigator for the Department of Professional Regulation, noticed that the shop was reopened on a trip through the area and on June 1, 1985, she conducted an inspection. She found Mr. Robaina's barber license and occupational licenses were displayed on the wall. With a customer serving as interpreter, Jean Robinson asked Mr. Robaina for his shop license. de was confused and showed her the occupational license. Ms. Robinson explained the requirement of the law regarding a separate shop license and left an application for. Respondent, Robaina, promptly applied for a shop license, and has held license number BS0008668-since July 1985. Although part of the Barber exam course includes the legal requirement for licensing, Mr. Robaina said he did not know his shop required a separate license until Ms. Robinson visited and informed him. She confirmed that his confusion when she asked for the license was consistent with that ignorance. According to Ms. Robinson people commonly feel that the occupational license is all that is needed for a shop. Between July 1983 and July 1985, Felix Robaina operated his barbershop without a shop license.
Findings Of Fact Respondent Michael Harris is a licensed cosmetologist having been issued license number CL 0104278. However, respondent's license has not been current from July 1, 1982 through at least July 24, 1984. Prior to April 13, 1983, respondent acquired and began operating Northwood Barber Shop, a cosmetology salon located at 513 Northwood Road, West Palm Beach, Florida. However, respondent never obtained a cosmetology salon license to operate at the location and did not obtain a barber shop license from the Florida Barbers Board to operate at that location until December 2, 1983. On or about April 13, 1983, respondent was operating Northwood Barber Shop. In addition, on or about April 13, 1983, respondent himself was practicing cosmetology and holding himself to be a cosmetologist without being duly licensed as a cosmetologist. After December 2, 1983, respondent was lawfully operating the Northwood Barber Shop, having been issued a barber shop license by the Florida Barbers Board. However, on June 14, 1984, respondent again was practicing cosmetology and holding himself out to be a cosmetologist without being duly licensed. Respondent did not raise or prove as a defense that he was licensed as a barber by the Florida Barbers Board on either April 13, 1983 or Jun 14, 1984. On the contrary, respondent's admissions to petitioner's inspector on those dates and other occasions affirmatively suggest that respondent was not licensed as a barber.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings Of Fact and Conclusions Of Law, it is recommended that the Board of Cosmetology impose upon respondent Michael Harris an administrative fine in the amount of $500.00. Recommended this 4th day of September, 1984, in Tallahassee, Florida. J. LAWRENCE JOHNSTON Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 4th day of September, 1984. COPIES FURNISHED: Theodore R. Gay, Esquire Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Mr. Michael Harris 513 Northwood Road West Palm Beach, Florida 33407 Fred Roche, Secretary Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Myrtle S. Aase, Executive Director Board of Cosmetology 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact At all times relevant hereto, respondent, James Franklin, operated the Atlantic Barber Shop at 641 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida. Franklin has been issued barber license number BB 0017130 by petitioner, Department of Professional Regulation, Florida Barbers' Board. The Atlantic Barber shop is the holder of barbershop license number BB 0005644 also issued by petitioner. Both licenses were renewed by respondent and are valid through September 30, 1988. Petitioner is required to conduct inspections of barbershops to ensure that such barbershops are in compliance with state law and agency rules. According to Rule 21C-19.015, Florida Administrative Code, an inspection shall be conducted annually on a random unannounced basis. In order to perform an inspection, access to the premises of a licensee is obviously necessary. Respondent's barbershop was last inspected by petitioner on May 24, 1984. Accordingly, an agency inspector (J. Oben) visited respondent's shop on March 11, 1986, for the purpose of conducting a routine annual inspection. Oben made two trips to the shop that day but found it closed each time. She left a business card at the door, and also told the proprietor of a shoe shop next door to have Franklin contact her. Oben returned to respondent's shop on March 12 and 18, 1986, but found the shop closed. Again she left her business card with instructions for Franklin to contact her. After Franklin failed to contact Oben, Oben sent to Franklin, by certified mail, letters on March 21, April 28 and May 12, 1986. Franklin signed for two letters but would not claim the final letter. The letters pointed out Oben's futile efforts to inspect the barbershop, and asked that Franklin promptly contact her. Franklin never responded. The issuance of an administrative complaint followed.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that the administrative complaint herein be DISMISSED with prejudice. DONE AND ENTERED this 9th day of December, 1986, at Tallahassee, Florida. DONALD R. ALEXANDER Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 9th day of December, 1986. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER, CASE NO. 86-3719 Petitioner: Covered in finding of fact 1. Covered in finding of fact 1. Covered in finding of fact 1. Covered in finding of fact 2. Covered in finding of fact 2. Covered in finding of fact 2. Covered in findings of fact 3 & 4. Covered in findings of fact 3 & 4. Covered in findings of fact 3 & 4. Covered in findings of fact 3 & 4. Covered in findings of fact 3 & 4. Covered in finding of fact 5. Covered in finding of fact 5. Covered in finding of fact 5. Covered in finding of fact 5. Covered in finding of fact 3. Covered in finding of fact 3. Rejected as being unnecessary. Rejected as being unnecessary. Rejected as being unnecessary. Covered in finding of fact 1. Covered in finding of fact 1. COPIES FURNISHED: Lisa M. Bassett, Esquire Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Mr. James Franklin Atlantic Barbershop 641 West Atlantic Avenue Delray Beach, Florida 33444 Myrtle Aase, Executive Director Florida Barbers' Board 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Mr. Fred Roche, Secretary Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Wings Slocum Benton, General Counsel Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue The issues for determination are whether Respondent violated Section 476.194(1)(c), Florida Statutes (1995), 1/ by hiring an unlicensed person to practice barbering and, if so, what, if any, penalty should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner is the governmental agency responsible for issuing licenses to barbers. Petitioner is also responsible for regulating the practice of barbering on behalf of the state. Respondent is licensed as a barber. Respondent holds license number BS 0008619. On or before October 15, 1994, Respondent hired Mr. Eric A. McClenton to practice barbering in Respondent's barber shop. Mr. McClenton is not licensed as a barber. 2/ Respondent hired Mr. McClenton to perform barbering services as an independent contractor. Mr. McClenton paid Respondent $75 monthly for the use of one of the barber chairs in Respondent's shop and paid for his own equipment and supplies. Mr. McClenton performed barbering services within the meaning of Section 476.034(2). Mr. McClenton cut hair for approximately four months. He cut approximately 100 heads of hair for a fee of $6 or $7 a head. Respondent knew or should have known that Mr. McClenton was not licensed as a barber. Respondent allowed Mr. McClenton to cut hair before seeing Mr. McClenton's license. When Respondent hired Mr. McClenton, Respondent asked to see Mr. McClenton's license. Mr. McClenton verbally represented that he was licensed but used various excuses over time to delay or avoid showing his license to Respondent. Mr. McClenton never displayed a license by the chair he operated in Respondent's shop. Petitioner issued separate citations to Respondent and Mr. McClenton. Petitioner issued a citation to Respondent imposing a fine of $250. Respondent did not pay the fine.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that Petitioner enter a Final Order finding Respondent guilty of violating Section 476.194(1)(c) and imposing an administrative fine of $250. RECOMMENDED this 14th day of August, 1996, in Tallahassee, Florida. DANIEL MANRY, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 14th day of August, 1996.
