DOPL tells JFAC it needs pay and hiring fixes after high inspector turnover; auditors flag excess cash balances

The Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) told JFAC on Feb. 6 that it is seeking additional pay and structural changes after several years of turnover and operational challenges. Legislative auditors reported an open finding on excessive cash balances across DOPL-managed boards and commissions and said the division has submitted multi-year plans to reduce those balances.

Kellen McGurkin, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, reviewed agency structure and finances. He told the committee that DOPL was created by House Bill 318 (2020) to consolidate previously separate licensing entities and that the division now supports about 45 boards and commissions and roughly 200,000–300,000 licensees. McGurkin said the agency is funded entirely by dedicated and federal funds and is working to rebalance board cash accounts by reducing fees and introducing fee holidays.

Audit findings and response April Renfro of the Legislative Audit Office summarized the audit history: auditors previously identified multiple findings and now report one…