Summary
The proposed rules prohibit the misleading use by any person of senior and retiree designations while also providing a means by which the Office may recognize the use of certain designations which have been accredited. Rule 69W-600.0133, F.A.C., is being proposed to prohibit the use of a senior specific certification or designation in connection with the offer, sale or purchase of securities or the provision of advice as the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, either directly or indirectly or through publications or writings, or by issuing or promulgating analyses or reports relating to securities, that indicates or implies that the user has special certification or training in advising or servicing senior citizens or retirees, in such a way as to mislead any person shall be a dishonest and unethical practice in the securities business in violation of Section 517.161(1)(d) or 517.161(1)(h), Florida Statutes. The Rule provides examples of misleading designations, including use of certifications unearned, nonexistent or self-conferred titles and use of titles that imply a certification or designation the person does not have. Also included in paragraph (1)(d) of the Rule with this category are use of certifications or designations from an organizations that: 1) is primarily engaged in the business of instruction in sales and /or marketing; 2) does not have reasonable standards or procedures for assuring the competency of its designees or certificants; 3) does not have reasonable standards or procedures for monitoring and disciplining its designees or certificants for improper or unethical conduct; or 4) does not have reasonable continuing education requirements for its designees or certificants in order to maintain the designation or certification. In subsection (2) of the Proposed Rule, a rebuttable presumption is created that organizations accredited by the American National Standards Institute, National Commission for Certifying Agencies or any Organization on the U.S. Department of Education list entitled “Accrediting Agencies Recognized for Title IX Purposes” will not be disqualified under the terms of subparagraphs (1)(d)1. through 4. In determining whether words constitute a certification or professional designation indicating or implying a special expertise in advising or servicing senior citizens, use of the words such as “senior,” “elder,” “retirement,” combined with such words such as “certified,” “registered,” “chartered,” and like words will be considered. See text of Rule for complete index. Job titles within an organization are excluded. This Rule is based on the National Association of Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) Model Rule adopted March 20, 2008. Rule 69W-600.013 and Rule 69W-600.0131, F.A.C., are amended to add conforming amendments that provide that any unethical practice pursuant to Rule 69W-600.0133, F.A.C., shall constitute a demonstration of unworthiness by the dealers and their associated persons per Rule 69W-600.013, F.A.C., and investment advisers and their associated persons per Rule 69W-600.0131, F.A.C.