A visit to the doctor or dentist can be more relaxing if you know you are receiving care from someone who has been properly educated in their field and is licensed to practice.
However, on TV, online, and in the newspaper we often find stories about people who pose as contractors, veterinarians, doctors, and other professionals who provide services without the proper licenses to conduct that type of business or provide that type of service.
It just happened again.
A recent undercover investigation by the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Division of Investigation found a Southern California man posing as a veterinarian, performing surgeries and other veterinary services on pets. The man, known as “Doctor Hector,” was convicted of practicing veterinary medicine without a license; Hector Menjivar was sentenced to serve 30 days in county jail.
To ensure you are receiving services from a licensed professional who has received the proper training and education, verify the license here. While checking the license, you can also look for any past disciplinary actions against the licensee. You can file a complaint with the appropriate board or bureau here.
It pays to check the license! By doing business with a licensed business or professional, you can:
- Avoid unscrupulous or unqualified people who promote deceptive or unsafe services
- File a complaint with Department of Consumer Affairs
- Rest assured that practitioners will perform their duties to acceptable standards
Remember to always check the license at the Department of Consumer Affairs’ website at http://www.dca.ca.gov.
