Agent Licensure
Why is an Agent license required to be renewed each year and non-transferable?
This certainly is an interesting topic for me. I've worked in admissions for over 10 years at a few different schools, and have recently moved to a new school, and outside of admissions.
Throughout my experience I have always been an "in-house" rep, and although I've participated in countless campus-based trainings, I was not aware that specialized licensure is required for folks making appearances out in the community for the purpose of recruiting/enrolling students.
This is rather important and interesting info so far!
Janet,
Agents operate outside the campus for recruitment of new students. You are correct.
Please, someone correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that NOT ALL admissions personnel are AGENTS, and therefore must be licensed. A person hired by an institution to work in that institution in the admissions department must know all the rules and regs and abide by them, but is not "licensed" by the state of Florida as an Agent, if no off-campus recruitment of students is performed.
A licensed Agent is a person that is hired by an institution for the express purpose of performing off-campus recruitment of students, and possibly collection of monies.
Sabrina,
It is also important that when the agent is no longer working with the institution, that the Commission is duly notified.
I think it is best that the license is non-transferrable. If it wasn't, Representatives would be able to go from institution to institution without having the proper knowledge of each schools polices, programs, and procedures. Each school is unique in their own light; that is the relevance behind each mission statement.
Tracy,
I whoeheartedly agree. This is representation of your school and the education they are about to engage in. Best foot forward!
I think this is a grest idea. This keeps everyone associated within the admission realm on top of their game. Things change, and so do people. So, if your going to represent an institution, wouldn't you like to know that these admissions agents are on point with knowing all the rules and regulation? And this shouldn't only be for agents, but all reps.
John,
The licensure is atached to the individual in order to ensure compliance with state regulations. The state of Florida is a consumer protection agency and the licensure of agents is part of that compliance.
We would not want our medical doctors or lawyers transferring their license to other individual to practice medicine or law would we?
Can you explain the review process that occurs every year?
Dear Steve,
Your comparison is appropriate. Whenever there are rules and regulations, they are there to protect and serve. It is our duty to follow for the benefit of all.
Although comparison to the IRS Code may not be entirely equal in complexity, nevertheless consequences of not keeping up with the Regs and Rules can be very costly to the individual and the institution, especially regarding accreditation issues...much like when the NCAA imposes sanctions on an athletic program and the much ballyhooed (or belly-ached)"death sentence"is imposed which restricts recruiting with loss of the number of scholarships which can be offered, post-season bowl appearances, to name a few...
Manuel,
Excellent point! Annual licensure also assures the consumer that the agent has been reviewed by the State of Florida and they have protection of the law.
Nina,
Keeping up to date and knowledgeable promotes a compliant organization. Mistakes can be costly if information is not presented as verified by laws and regulations.
Michael,
I honestly believe by having agents renew their license annually and by having them non transferrable it allows everyone to remain focused. Not only on any changes that may have occurred from the date of last issue in rules or regulations. However, also in the fact that we as agents need to be governed constantly and not just "given" the title. The non transferrable part I believe lies in the fact that not all institutions have the same agenda, therefore just because you are "licensed" I wouldnt see it as necessarily being qualified to represent any and every institution.
Manny
I agree - better to have our knowledge based refreshed annually, than to make a mistake and have our license revoked.
I agree, it keeps us current - laws and rules change and will hopefully help us expand our knowledge base continually.
Judith,
This also reports to the state that you are an active representative of your institution.
Gabriela,
Paying a fee for licensure is part of the commitment and assurance of compliance.
