In a day and age when far too many people seem ready to rip you off, the Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs, also known by its acronym of LARA, strongly suggest you check the legitimacy of organizations and individuals you may not know before doing business with them. They're not just saying it…they're making it easier for you and I to do so than ever before.
LARA authorities are suggesting that before you make your next decision to use the services of a professional or licensed entity, you should use their online resource called Verify a License. The easy-to-use tool allows all of us as consumers to check the license status of a wide range of individuals and entities under that department’s oversight.
The Verify a License web resource provides detailed reports on hundreds of license types and over one million licensees including doctors, nurses, hospitals, child care and nursing homes, accountants, architects, builders, barbers, cosmetologists, real estate brokers, liquor licensees and telecommunications providers.
LARA Director Shelly Edgerton tells us, "The Verify a License resource can give Michigan residents the valuable information they need before they make important choices regarding the health and safety of their family, home and business.” She adds, “Consumers are urged to take a few minutes to do their homework to make educated decisions before they sign up for professional services.”
You can research the type of license, if the license is active or inactive and the expiration date. Additional information may include disciplinary and enforcement actions, complaints, inspection reports and other corresponding documents.
The user-friendly portal divides LARA’s large database of licensees and license types into sections where we can all easily find the information we need. For example, LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) is responsible for licensing and regulating more than 700,000 individuals who are regulated by either the Michigan Occupational Code or the Public Health Code.
Verify a License for health professionals and facilities is also now available through MiPage, a free mobile application from the State of Michigan that serves as your real-time link to over half a million licensed professionals. Verify a License is mobile-friendly, using a technology called responsive design to provide an optimal viewing experience. It will scale based on the display size of the device so it can be accessed on the go. With MiPage integration, you now have the ability to make informed decisions and verify countless licenses in the palm of your hand.
For more information, go to the Verify a License portal by clicking this link (and then look under the "How Do I" tab for "Verify a License.): http://www.michigan.gov/LARA
