The Medical Board of California (MBC) was the first board within the Department of Consumer Affairs, and dates back to 1876 with the passage of the Medical Practice Act. MBC is a consumer protection agency that licenses and regulates physicians and surgeons; licensed midwives; medical assistants; polysomnographic technologists, technicians, and trainees; and research psychoanalysts.
MBC is comprised of programs whose functions, duties, and goals meet its mandate of consumer protection. MBC accomplishes this through its Licensing and Enforcement Programs. The Licensing Program processes renewals for all licensees and registrants and ensures that only qualified applicants receive a license. The Enforcement Program investigates allegations of wrongdoing and takes appropriate action.
Mission: The mission of the Medical Board of California is to protect healthcare consumers and prevent harm through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professionals and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act, and to promote access to quality medical care through the Board’s licensing, policy, and regulatory functions.
Vision: To be the premier consumer protection agency by leading and partnering in the effort to prevent harm and advance high quality, safe medical care. Values Accountability Consumer Protection Empathy Fairness Integrity
Values:
- Accountability
- Consumer Protection
- Empathy
- Fairness
- Integrity
- Trust
Visit the Medical Board’s website at: https://www.mbc.ca.gov/ or connect on Facebook and Twitter.
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Since its inception more than 100 years ago, the California State Board of Optometry (Board) has supported and helped consumers by advocating consumer interests before lawmakers, regulating to protect consumers from unlicensed practitioners and guarding licensees against unfair competition, enforcing laws to protect the consumer, and resolving disputes between business and a customer or a consumer and a licensee.
The Board’s authority to protect the health and safety of California patients receiving optometric care through licensing, education, and regulation of the practice of optometry was expanded on January 1, 2016, when Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 684, transferring the regulation of opticianry from the Medical Board of California to the Board. Overnight, the Board’s regulatory population grew by 50 percent— expanding its regulatory oversight from 8,000 licensees to roughly 12,000 licensees and registrants. Today, the Board regulates the largest population of optometrists and dispensers in the United States with over 17,400 licenses, registrations, and permits.
The Board is also responsible for issuing opticianry certifications for nonresident contact lens sellers and businesses that employ dispensing opticians.
It is in the best interest of California consumers to continue protecting their eye care health and safety by using the services of licensed eye care professionals.
Mission: To protect the health and safety of California consumers through licensing, registration, education, and regulation of Optometry and Opticianry.
Vision: The highest quality optometric and optical care for the people of California
Values:
- Consumer Protection: We make effective and informed decisions in the best interest and for the safety of Californians.
- Integrity: We are committed to honesty, ethical conduct, and responsibility.
- Transparency: We hold ourselves accountable to the people of California. We operate openly so that stakeholders can trust that we are fair and honest.
- Professionalism: We ensure qualified, proficient, and skilled staff provides excellent service to the State of California.
- Excellence: We have a passion for quality and strive for continuous improvement of our programs, services, and processes through employee empowerment and professional development.
Visit the Board of Optometry (Board) website at: https://www.optometry.ca.gov/ or connect on Facebook and Twitter
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The federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) authorizes service members, or their spouses, who currently hold a valid license in good standing in another state, district, or territory to practice in California within the same profession or vocation, if they relocate to California because of military orders.
For individuals who desire to practice in California under the terms of the SCRA, the State of California adopted a state registration process to help implement the license portability provisions of the SCRA.
For more information about the Federal Professional License Portability and State Registration and how to register in California, visit https://www.dca.ca.gov/military/federal.shtml.
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The private-security industry in this country dates back to the 19th century with private citizens performing many duties that today are associated with federal and state law enforcement. The growth in the number of individuals and breadth of activities performed (guarding railroad shipments, detective work to investigate crimes, tracking down and apprehending criminals, and providing security advice to banks) was integral in determining that regulation of the industry was necessary. In California, regulatory oversight of the private-security industry began in 1915 with the creation of the Detective Licensing Board under the State Board of Prison Directors to license and regulate private detectives. The Detective Licensing Board was subsequently renamed the Detective Licensing Bureau, and today its statutes are known as the Private Investigator Act. In 1955, the Detective Licensing Bureau became the Bureau of Private Investigators and Adjustors, which in 1970 was combined with the Collection Agency Licensing Bureau and renamed the Bureau of Collection and Investigative Services. As a result of legislation (Assembly Bill 936, Chapter 1263, Statutes of 1993), the Bureau was formally renamed the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). BSIS issues licenses, registrations, certificates, and permits; however, for the purpose of this report, the terms “license” and “licensee” will be used. There are currently over 433,000 BSIS licenses held by about 350,000 businesses and individuals carrying out activities relating to alarm systems, locks, private investigation, private security, repossession, and firearm and baton training. Mission: To protect and serve the public and consumers through effective regulatory oversight of the professions within the Bureau’s jurisdiction. Vision: To be a regulatory leader of the industries within the Bureau’s jurisdiction to promote consumer protection and public safety. Values: · Accountability · Consumer Protection · Customer Service · Effectiveness · Integrity · Professionalism · Teamwork · Equity Visit the Security and Investigative Services Bureau’s website at: https://www.bsis.ca.gov/ or connect on Facebook and Twitter. CONSUMER RESOURCES: · Consumer Guide to Alarm Companies · Consumer Guide to Locksmiths · Subscribe to E-mail Notifications
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Naturopathic medicine is one of the oldest continuously licensed health care professions in the country. Its roots lie in German traditions of “Water Cure” or hydrotherapy from the mid-19th century. Naturopathic medicine expanded upon the water cure and herbal therapies and was developed into a comprehensive philosophy and system of health which came to the United States around the turn of the 20th century.
California became the 13th state to recognize naturopathic medicine and provide licensure to naturopathic doctors. The Act, which created the Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine, was effective January 1, 2004. The first ND license was issued on January 14, 2005. The Naturopathic Medicine Committee was formed effective October 23, 2009, under the Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC), however the programs remained autonomous from one another.
On January 1, 2023, the Committee became the California Board of Naturopathic Medicine and was removed from the OMBC and was placed as the newest board under the Department of Consumer Affairs.
There are currently 1,241 naturopathic doctors licensed by California.
Mission:
To protect California health care consumers and expand access to safe and effective primary care by licensing and regulating Naturopathic Doctors through vigorous enforcement of the Naturopathic Doctors Act
Vision:
Naturopathic physicians’ practice to the full extent of their training to provide collaborative and crucial health care services to California consumers.
Values:
- Consumer Protection
- Excellent Quality
- Transparency
- Integrity
- Access
- Collaboration
Visit the California Board of Naturopathic Medicine’s website at: https://www.naturopathic.ca.gov/ or connect on Facebook and Twitter.
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The California Board of Psychology dates back to 1958 when the first psychologists were certified in the state. The Board of Psychology is one of 37 regulatory entities that fall under the organizational structure of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
The board consists of nine members (five licensed psychologists and four public members) who are appointed to the board for four-year terms. Each member may serve a maximum of two terms. The five licensed members and two of the public members are appointed by the governor. Public members cannot be licensed by the Board of Psychology or by any other Department of Consumer Affairs healing arts board.
The Board regulates the following:
- Licensed Psychologists. They may practice independently in any private or public setting.
- Psychological Assistants. They must possess a qualifying master’s degree and be registered to provide limited psychological services to the public under the direct supervision of the psychologist or psychiatrist to whom they are registered.
- Registered Psychologists. They must possess a doctoral degree that meets licensure requirements and possess at least 1,500 hours of qualifying supervised professional experience and registered to engage in psychological activities at nonprofit community agencies that receive a minimum of 25 percent of their funding from some governmental source. Registered psychologists may not engage in psychological activities outside the approved guidelines.
The board exists to serve the public by protecting the health, safety, and welfare of consumers of psychological services with integrity, honesty, and efficiency. The board also advocates the highest principles of professional psychological practice and empowers the consumer through education on licensee/ registrant disciplinary actions, and by providing the best available information on current trends in psychological service options.
Mission: The Board of Psychology protects consumers of psychological services by licensing psychologists, regulating the practice of psychology, and supporting the evolution of the profession.
Vision: A healthy California where our diverse communities enjoy the benefits of the highest standard of psychological services
Values:
- Transparency
- Integrity
- Fairness
- Responsiveness
- Professionalism
Visit the BOP’s website at https://www.psychology.ca.gov/or connect or connect Facebook and Twitter.
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
- FAQs
- Filing a complaint with the BOP
- License Verification
- Information for Military and Military Spouses/Partners
- Sign Up for Our E-mail List
The California Department of Consumer Affairs’ (DCA) Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) is warning consumers about home beauty services advertised on social media by individuals both unlicensed and licensed by the Board.
The services being advertised online are typically done at the home of the individual who is performing services, or in a consumer’s home. Services outside of a licensed salon, spa, or shop are unlawful unless the individual is licensed by the Board and obtains a personal service permit (PSP) from the Board. A PSP allows a licensed professional to provide limited services outside of the licensed establishment where they work if they meet certain requirements.
There are potential serious health hazards that can put consumers at risk for infection when services are performed by unlicensed individuals who have not received proper education in infection control and do not follow guidelines, rules and regulations set by the California Department of Public Health, California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health, and the Board.
Reported harm to consumers includes:
- Lash services—glue in the eye, glued top and bottom lashes that require medical intervention to be corrected, and conjunctivitis (pink eye).
- Hair-coloring services—scalp burns, transmitting lice from one client to another, broken hair, and hair falling out.
- Waxing services—significant burns requiring medical attention and disease transmission.
In addition to potential consumer harm, there is also potential harm to the environment. Many cities and counties do not allow services within residential neighborhoods due to concerns regarding chemical disposal.
“The Board is seeing an increase in consumer harm as a result of unlicensed individuals providing services in their homes,” said Board President Calimay Pham. “We have seen significant infections caused by individuals who have never received any type of training on health and safety.”
Consumers should never engage in business and allow services to be performed on them by individuals who are not licensed. The number one step consumers can take to protect their health and safety before their next appointment is to check the license of the individual providing services.
To verify an establishment or professional license, use DCA’s license search tool at https://search.dca.ca.gov. For information about personal service permits, including resources in multiple languages, visit the Board’s “Personal Service Permit Information” page.
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ABOUT THE BOARD OF BARBERING AND COSMETOLOGY: The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology regulates cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists, estheticians, electrologists, and apprentices who provide services as well as the establishments where these services are performed. The Board also provides education to consumers and licensees on the potential dangers that face consumers while receiving these services. Learn more at www.barbercosmo.ca.gov.
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS: The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) protects consumers through oversight, enforcement, and licensure of professions, and helps consumers learn how to protect themselves from unscrupulous and unqualified individuals. Consumers can verify a license and file a complaint against a licensee online at www.dca.ca.gov or by phone at (800) 952-5210.
The Court Reporters Board of California was established in 1951 by an act of the Legislature. Since its inception, the Board has licensed 14,308 people. Of those, approximately 6,500 have current licenses. In the profession, licensees are known as either “officials” who work in court, or “freelance” who work through court reporting agencies and report mostly depositions.
The Board’s mandate is to protect the consumers of the state. It does that by administering a minimum level competency test to determine entry level abilities as well as regulating the minimum curriculum which court reporting schools and programs must offer, and disciplining licensees when necessary.
In addition, the Board administers the Transcript Reimbursement Fund (TRF) which reimburses CSRs for providing transcripts to indigent civil litigants. All the Board’s activities, including the TRF, are funded from licensing and examination fees. Thus, the Board is considered a “special fund” or self-funded agency, because no tax dollars from the General Fund support the Board.
Mission: The mission of the Court Reporters Board is to protect the public by ensuring the integrity of the judicial record and maintaining the standard of competency through oversight of the court reporting profession.
Vision: Consumers hiring a California licensed court reporter engage the highest quality, most knowledgeable, and ethical professional.
Values:
- Consumer Protection: We make effective and informed decisions in the best interest and for the safety of Californians.
- Excellence: We have a passion for quality and strive for continuous improvement of our programs, services, and processes through employee empowerment and professional development.
- Integrity: We are committed to honesty, ethical conduct, and responsibility.
- Service: We are professional and responsive to the needs of our stakeholders.
- Collaboration: We value partnerships. We foster the public’s trust through open communication and work in a cooperative, respectful, and courteous manner.
Visit the CRB’s website at https://www.courtreportersboard.ca.gov/ or connect or connect on Facebook and Twitter.
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The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC) was established in 1927 and protects and serves consumers in many ways, such as examining and licensing individuals who have met minimum qualifications in education, experience, and examination requirements. BBC also provides a proactive and diligent enforcement program to fight fraud and enforce the laws governing the barbering and beauty industry. This is accomplished by the following:
- Conducting inspections upon licensing establishments, random, unannounced inspections of establishments and practitioners’ workstations, and when notified that potential consumer harm may be present, conducting a directed inspection.
- Collaborating with the Attorney General’s Office and local district attorneys to act against unqualified individuals and unlicensed practitioners.
- Investigating consumer complaints and if found to be viable, actively pursuing disciplinary actions that may include probation, suspension, or revocation of a license, citations and fines, letters of reprimand, or cease-and-desist orders.
In addition, BBC supports and advocates for consumer interests before lawmakers and staff reviews and analyzes proposed legislation and regulation to ensure consumer protection. The agency also provides a prolific outreach and education program that includes: workshops, town hall meetings, instructional videos, consumer fact sheets, industry bulletins, and leveraging social media. Efforts are made to make these instructional materials available in the English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean.
Mission: To ensure the health and safety of California consumers by promoting ethical standards and by enforcing the laws of the barbering and beauty industry.
Vision: California sets and enforces the highest level of health and safety standards and provides an environment where consumers obtain barbering, cosmetology, and electrology services with the confidence and security that their health and safety are protected.
Values:
- Accountability
- Consumer Protection and Safety
- Customer Service
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Efficiency
- Integrity
- Openness
- Quality
Visit the BBC’s website at https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/ or connect or connect on Facebook and Instagram.
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The Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC) has been protecting the public from the incompetent, unprofessional and criminal practice of physical therapy since its inception in 1953. The PTBC is one of 36 regulatory entities which exist under the organizational structure of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). PTBC has a close and cooperative relationship with DCA.
PTBC has the primary responsibility of licensing and regulating the practice of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, as well as regulating unlicensed physical therapy aides. PTBC’s responsibilities come from the Physical Therapy Practice Act, which is composed of California statutes that give PTBC the authority to investigate complaints and take disciplinary action against physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, among other functions.
Licensed physical therapists may practice physical therapy independently. To become licensed, one must possess a post baccalaureate degree in physical therapy, pass the national physical therapy examination (NPTE), and pass the California Law Examination. Foreign educated physical therapists must also successfully complete a period of clinical service after passing the NPTE.
Licensed physical therapist assistants assist a physical therapist in the practice of physical therapy. To become licensed, one must possess an associate degree in physical therapy or qualify by meeting the equivalency requirements. A physical therapist assistant works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Physical therapy aide is an unlicensed person who performs designated routine physical therapy tasks under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Mission: The PTB’s mission is to advance and protect the interests of the people of California by the effective administration of the Physical Therapy Practice Act.
Vision: The standard for consumer protection in physical therapy.
Values:
- Commitment
- Consumer Protection
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Leadership Service
Visit PTBC’s website at https://www.ptbc.ca.gov/ or connect on Facebook and Twitter.
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