Formal hearing description

• A. A hearing conducted by DOAH
• B. A hearing identical to informal with witnesses
• C. Not part of DBPR or FREC; ALJs must be Florida Bar members for at least 5 years prior to appointment
• D. A hearing that can be appealed immediately

Answer: (C)

Formal hearings in Florida are handled by the Division of Administrative Hearings, with an Administrative Law Judge who is independent from the licensing agency. The key point is that the judge must be a member of the Florida Bar with at least five years of legal experience before appointment. This requirement ensures the hearing is fair and legally qualified, not simply an internal agency proceeding. The agency issues the final order after the judge’s recommended order, and there is a formal path to judicial review rather than an immediate appeal.