It's that time of year again

Time to renew the old license with the Board of Examiners.

Over the years I've seen the process evolve.

Early in my days as a PLS, the board would send me a notice every year. I would confirm my address and send it back with a check. (Doesn't just about every government run thing include that last part about including a check?)

Not too long after I started my own business the board started asking for an email address. It was (is) easier for the board to communicate via email. Email works quicker, cheaper and easier than snail mail. That is a pretty unbeatable combination.

But, there is one problem. Once the board has your email address, that address becomes public record. Yep, you guessed it, if anyone asks, the board is required to give out your email address.

Oh boy, that just exactly what I want, not!

So, I resisted. The Board staff knew my email address. In fact I have communicated via email regularly with the Executive Director, the Staff Attorney, and quite a few of the Board members over the years. I've always found them to be willing to help.

Still, I was not sold on the fact that if someone asked, they had to give out my email address. So, even though they all knew it, I never officially entered it into their database.

Finally I came up with a solution that works for both of us; well, maybe.

I got one of the free Internet based accounts and set it up specifically for use when the data might be released to others. So far, so good with that. I get some spam at that address of course. But none I could trace back to the Board.

Flash forward to 2009. I've finally decided to go ahead and go whole hog (so to speak). I will be renewing my license online. No more paper forms and written checks. No more sealing envelopes and buying stamps. This is a good thing, I think.

Larry P