The Division of Registration is an umbrella agency encompassing 32 boards of registration that license more than 500,000 professionals and tradespeople. Its mission is to protect the health and safety of the residents of the Commonwealth. It accomplishes its mission through the licensure of qualified professionals and tradespeople; the enforcement of the rules and regulations of the boards of registration; and the provision of services to licensees, consumers, board members, and policy makers.

Objectives

In Fiscal Year 1998, the Division will undertake an initiative to improve public access to licensee information and eliminate complaint backlog problems by expediting enforcement efforts. During Fiscal Year 1998, the Division will:

• reduce the time it takes to adjudicate a consumer complaint from two years to less than twelve months;
• eliminate hearing backlogs and reduce average investigation time from one year to less than four months; and
• educate licensees and key consumer groups about their rights and responsibilities.

Budget Recommendations

The Fiscal Year 1998 budget recommendation for the Division of Registration includes a $500,000 increase. This will allow the Division to expedite enforcement efforts and improve public access to licensee information.

Budgetary Direct Appropriations

DIVISION OF REGISTRATION
7006-0040	For the operation and administration of the division of registration; provided, that the position of investigator of radio-television technicians shall not be subject to chapter thirty-one of the General Laws	5,385,761

BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN NURSING
7006-0050	For the board of registration in nursing	489,692

Trust and Other Spending

9230-0002

COMPLAINT RESOLUTION TRUST

75,000

9230-0003

BOARD OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND SALES PERSONS TRUST

5,000