During an investigation, who may issue subpoenas if necessary?

• A. The Court
• B. The Division
• C. The Governor
• D. The DBPR

Answer: (D)

Regulatory investigations empower the agency conducting them to compel evidence as part of enforcing standards. In Florida, the department that oversees professional regulation—the DBPR—has explicit statutory authority to issue subpoenas to require witnesses to testify and to produce records or documents needed for the investigation. This authority helps the agency gather information efficiently without always resorting to the courts.

A court, by contrast, issues subpoenas within the context of judicial proceedings, not as part of an ongoing agency investigation. The Governor isn’t the official who issues subpoenas for investigations, and while a division within the agency may carry out investigative tasks, the power to issue subpoenas in this setting rests with the DBPR itself, under its statutory authority.