The Dental Board of California licenses and regulates dentists, registered dental assistants, and registered dental assistants in extended functions. The Board assures the initial and continued competence of its licensees through licensure, investigation of complaints against its licensees, and discipline of those found in violation of the Dental Practice Act, monitoring licensees whose licenses have been placed on probation, and managing the Diversion Program for licensees whose practice may be impaired due to abuse of dangerous drugs or alcohol.
The Board’s objective is to protect and promote the health and safety of consumers in the State of California. To accomplish this objective, the Board must ensure that only those persons possessing the necessary education, examination and experience qualifications receive licenses; all licentiates obtain the required continuing dental education training; consumers are informed of their rights and how complaints may be directed to the Board; consumer complaints against licentiates are promptly, thoroughly and fairly investigated; and appropriate action is taken against licentiates whose care or behavior is outside of acceptable standards.
Mission: The Board’s mission is to protect and promote the oral health and safety of consumers of California consumers by ensuring the quality of dental health care within the State.
Vision: The Board will be a recognized leader in public protection, promotion of oral health, and access to care.
Values:
- Consumer Protection
- Professionalism
- Accountability
- Efficiency
- Fairness
- Diversity
Visit the Board’s website at: www.dbc.ca.gov or connect with the Board on Twitter.
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
Applications are currently being accepted to fill multiple panel member positions
The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) invites consumers and automotive repair industry representatives to apply to serve on a citation review panel. The panel provides an opportunity to be a part of an important and collaborative consumer protection effort.
Established by Assembly Bill 471 (Low, Chapter 372, Statutes of 2021), the role of a citation review panel is to consider and make recommendations on informal appeals requested by individuals who received a citation for violation of the Automotive Repair Act or unlicensed activity. The three-member panel consists of a BAR representative and a volunteer from the public and the automotive repair industry. The panel participates in monthly virtual conferences and members serve a two-year term.
Consumers and industry representatives interested in serving on a citation review panel are encouraged to complete an application. Applicants are asked to provide information on their experience with automotive repairs and any prior participation in BAR programs and services. Applications and the regulations setting forth panel activities are available at www.bar.ca.gov/panel.
For over 100 years, the California Legislature has entrusted the California Board of Accountancy (CBA) with protecting the public in relation to the practice of public accountancy in California. The CBA’s mission evokes this charge: “To protect consumers by ensuring only qualified licensees practice public accountancy in accordance with applicable professional standards.” The breadth of the CBA’s influence in the regulatory environment stretches beyond California’s borders. The CBA regulates over 114,000 licensees, including certified public accountants (CPAs) and accounting firms (partnerships, corporations, out-of-state accounting firms). Many of the accounting firms that the CBA regulates have national footprints, and some have footprints worldwide. CPAs work in a wide range of areas including accounting firms, private industry, government, and academia, and provide services to clients of all sizes and needs. The CBA recognizes the scope of its regulatory influence. With stakeholders ranging from consumers needing accounting services to lenders, shareholders, investors that rely on services rendered by CPAs, and businesses – large and small – that use CPAs to establish internal accounting controls (to name a few), the protection of the public shapes the policies, regulations, and enforcement decisions reached by the CBA.
Mission: To protect consumers by ensuring only qualified licensees practice public accountancy in accordance with established professional standards.
Vision: All consumers are well-informed and receive quality accounting services from licensees they can trust.
Values:
- Consumer Protection – The CBA will make effective and informed decisions in the best interest and for the safety of consumers.
- Integrity – The CBA will act in an honest, ethical, and professional manner in all endeavors and fully disclose all pertinent information.
- Quality and Professionalism – The CBA will ensure that qualified, proficient, and skilled staff provide services to CBA stakeholders. The CBA will deliver high quality service, information, and products that reflect excellence and professionalism.
- Transparency – The CBA will actively promote the sharing of ideas and information throughout the organization and with the public and be receptive to new ideas.
- Initiative – The CBA will encourage creatively looking at problems and processes and actively seek solutions and improvements.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – The CBA supports and encourages a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experience that benefit its operation to meet its consumer protection mandate.
- Respect – The CBA will be responsive, considerate, and courteous to all, both within and outside the organization.
- Accountability – The CBA will take ownership and responsibility for its actions and their results.
- Teamwork – The CBA will promote cooperation and trust at all levels by working with and soliciting the ideas and opinions of CBA stakeholders.
Visit the CBA’s website at www.cba.ca.gov or connect with CBA on Twitter and Facebook.
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
Get To Know The Speech Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board
The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (Board) serves to protect the public by licensing and regulating speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and hearing aid dispensers who provide speech and hearing services to California consumers. The Board sets entry-level licensing standards, which includes examination requirements that measure the licensees’ professional knowledge and clinical abilities that are consistent with the current demands for services of each respective field of practice.
To ensure ongoing consumer protection, the Board enforces standards of professional conduct by investigating applicant backgrounds, investigating complaints against licensed practitioners and unlicensed providers, and taking disciplinary action whenever appropriate. The Board is charged with regulating Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing; three separate and distinct professions with their own scopes of practice, entry-level requirements, and professional settings:
- Speech-language pathologists mainly provide services to individuals with speech, voice or language disorders and swallowing disorders or impairments.
- Audiologists provide services to individuals with hearing, balance (vestibular), and related communication disorders. Most audiologists are also licensed to dispense hearing aids and are called Dispensing Audiologists.
- Hearing Aid Dispensers provide services to individuals with impaired hearing which include hearing tests for the purposes of fitting, selection, and adaptation of hearing aids.
Mission: We protect the people of California by promoting standards and enforcing the laws and regulations that ensure the qualifications and competence of providers of speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensing services.
Vision: Every person in the state of California has access to communication, diagnosis, treatment and related services of the highest quality.
Values:
- Consumer protection
- Efficiency
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Accountability
- Effectiveness
- Service
- Transparency
- Inclusion
Visit the Speech Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board’s website at:
https://www.speechandhearing.ca.gov/
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
Consumer Facts: Hearing Loss And Hearing Aids For Adults
La Oficina de Bienes y Servicios del Hogar (BHGS) brinda consejos para la protección del consumidor durante el Mes Nacional de la Mudanza
SACRAMENTO—Mayo es el Mes Nacional de la Mudanza, que da comienzo a la temporada alta de mudanzas de verano.v Cada año, millones de personas se mudan hacia o desde California, así como dentro de California, y la mitad de estas mudanzas ocurren entre el Día de los Caídos y el Día del Trabajo.
Esto hace que mayo sea el momento perfecto para que la Oficina de Bienes y Servicios del Hogar (BHGS) del Departamento de Asuntos del Consumidor les recuerde a los consumidores que solo contraten empresas de mudanza autorizadas por la BHGS, lo cual los ayudará a no volverse víctimas de los proveedores abusivos de servicios. BHGS autoriza y regula las empresas de mudanza que trabajan dentro de las fronteras estatales o que las cruzan para realizar mudanzas desde o hacia California.
“Lo más importante que los consumidores pueden hacer para protegerse a sí mismos durante una mudanza es asegurarse de que la empresa de mudanza esté autorizada por la BHGS” dijo el jefe de la BHGS, Justin Paddock. “Las empresas de mudanza no autorizadas usan distintas tácticas para extorsionar a los consumidores y obtener dinero, como amenazar con retener los bienes hasta que se les entregue más dinero. Recomendamos que los consumidores consulten los consejos y recursos de la BHGS para evitar volverse víctimas de las empresas ilegales y las prácticas abusivas”.
Los consumidores pueden verificar la licencia de una empresa de mudanza en el sitio web de la BHGS: https://bhgs.dca.ca.gov. Además de confirmar si la empresa de mudanza está autorizada para hacer negocios en California, BHGS recomienda a los consumidores solicitar una inspección presencial de sus bienes en lugar de una inspección por videos o fotos para garantizar la precisión del presupuesto, obtener varios presupuestos, investigar a cada empresa cuidadosamente y solicitar que el contrato incluya un “precio máximo”, que es la cantidad máxima que puede cobrarse a menos que se soliciten y se acuerden servicios adicionales.
Para prepararse para una mudanza, los consumidores pueden ingresar al sitio web de la BHGS y descargar los folletos Consejos útiles para las mudanzas dentro de California (disponible en español) y Consejos útiles para las mudanzas hacia o desde California (disponible en español), que brindan información para la protección de los consumidores tanto en las mudanzas dentro del estado, como en aquellas que implican entrar o salir de California.
Si desea obtener más consejos para consumidores tanto durante el Mes Nacional de la Mudanza como el resto del año, siga a la BHGS en Facebook y Twitter.
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Bureau of Household Goods and Services Provides Consumer-Protection Tips During National Moving Month
SACRAMENTO — May is National Moving Month, kicking off the start of the busy summer moving season. Every year, millions of people will move into, out of, or within California, with half of all moves occurring between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
That makes May the perfect time for the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) to remind consumers to hire only BHGS-licensed household moving companies, which will help them avoid becoming victims of predatory service providers. BHGS licenses and regulates moving companies that work within or across state lines into or out of California.
“The single most important thing consumers can do to protect themselves during a move is to make sure the moving company is licensed by BHGS,” said BHGS Chief Justin Paddock. “Unlicensed movers use different tactics to extort money from consumers, including threatening to withhold goods unless more money is handed over. Consumers are urged to reference BHGS’ tips and resources to avoid becoming a victim of illegal companies and predatory practices.”
Consumers can verify the license of a moving company at the BHGS website, https://bhgs.dca.ca.gov. In addition to confirming if a moving company is licensed to do business in California, BHGS recommends that consumers request an in-person inspection of their goods rather than an inspection via video or photos to ensure accuracy of the estimated cost, get multiple quotes, and research each company carefully, and request that a contract include a “not to exceed price,” the maximum amount that can be charged unless additional services are requested and agreed upon.
When preparing for a move, consumers can visit the BHGS website to download the flyers, Helpful Tips When Moving Within California (available in Spanish) and Helpful Tips When Moving Into or Out of California (available in Spanish), which provide consumer-protection information regarding in-state moves and moves into or out of California.
For more consumer tips during National Moving Month and all year long, follow BHGS on Facebook and Twitter.
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School offered non-approved cosmetology programs, failed to provide instruction
SACRAMENTO—The Department of Consumer Affairs’ Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) and the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (Bureau) have revoked the approval to operate for Milpitas Massage College, a private postsecondary massage and cosmetology school located in Milpitas, CA.
The revocation, effective May 12, 2023, comes after a joint investigation conducted by the Board and Bureau that revealed the school was engaging in fraudulent activity related to cosmetology courses. Causes for discipline included falsifying records to award clock hours to students for training they did not receive, failing to provide instruction and adequate facilities and equipment, and enrolling students into programs it was not authorized to offer. Details of the investigation are available in the Accusation, filed by the Bureau in February 2023.
“The Board takes very seriously the allegations of schools selling hours and misleading future licensees,” said Kristy Underwood, executive officer of the Board. “We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of California consumers, who deserve to be serviced by well-trained, highly qualified and licensed individuals.”
“This is a prime example of the Bureau’s collaboration with other regulatory agencies, including several other state boards and bureaus, to investigate and address allegations of fraud at for-profit colleges,” said Deborah Cochrane, chief of the Bureau. “By working together, we built a strong case and took swift action to protect students from fraud and California consumers from being serviced by unqualified individuals.”
In addition to regulating private postsecondary educational institutions, the Bureau assists students through its Student Tuition Recovery Fund, provides guidance to students considering loan discharges or future postsecondary education, and helps them obtain transcripts. Students who have questions or need additional information can call the Bureau’s Office of Student Assistance and Relief toll-free at (888) 370-7589, option #5, or visit osar.bppe.ca.gov.
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 http://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov.
ABOUT THE BUREAU FOR PRIVATE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION: The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education promotes and protects the interests of students and consumers through the effective and efficient oversight of California’s private postsecondary educational institutions. Learn more at http://www.bppe.ca.gov
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS: The 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 http://www.dca.ca.gov or by phone at (800) 952-5210.
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In 1935, Assembly Bill 2382 established “[a]n act to regulate the practice of structural pest control, to create the Structural Pest Control Board, to provide for the registration and licensing of persons engaged in such practice, and for the protection of the public in the practice of structural pest control.” The bill was signed by the governor on July 20, 1935 and became law on September 15, 1935.
Mission:
The Structural Pest Control Board’s mission is to protect the general welfare of Californians and the environment by promoting outreach, education, and regulation of the structural pest management profession.
Vision:
The Structural Pest Control Board sets the standard as the national regulatory and environmental leader of pest management for consumer protection.
Values:
- Accountability
- Consumer Protection
- Professionalism
- Service
- Transparency
Visit the Structural Pest Control Board’s website at www.pestboard.ca.gov.
Connect with the Structural Pest Control Board on Twitter or on Facebook.
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
- What is Structural Pest Control?
- Brochures and Documents Regarding Structural Pest Control
- Verify a structural pest control company or licensee
- Filing a Complaint with the Structural Pest Control Board
‘Safe Sandal Season’ Offers 10 Tips for a Safe Nail Salon Visit
Sunny days are back, and, as more people to head to the nail salon for a pedicure, that means the return of “Safe Sandal Season.” This year, the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) is celebrating the tenth “Safe Sandal Season” campaign, which educates consumers and equips them on how to protect themselves by avoiding health hazards and risks for infection while at the salon.
Celebrate the 10th annual ‘Safe Sandal Season’ campaign by following these 10 tips from the Board to help ensure your pedicure experience is a healthy and fun one!
- Look for the establishment license. The license must be valid and posted in plain sight along with a message for consumers in the reception area.
- Look for the posted cosmetologist or manicurist license. Always make sure the cosmetologist’s or manicurist’s license is valid and posted at their workstation.
- Ensure the salon is neat and clean. All salons are required to follow the California Department of Public Health and Cal OSHA industry guidelines, including the rules and regulations of the Board.
- Don’t shave your legs 24 hours before a pedicure. Shaving makes you more susceptible to nicks and cuts which are gateways for bacteria. If you have broken skin or lesions on your lower legs, don’t get a pedicure until they have healed.
- Cosmetologists and manicurists are required to wash their hands often. It’s OK to ask a manicurist to wash their hands before your pedicure.
- Make sure all metal tools and foot spa basins are disinfected. Tools must always be properly disinfected. Improper disinfection or no disinfection can lead to the transfer of bacteria or infection. You have the right to see the salon’s cleaning and disinfection log. Wiping out the tub between clients isn’t enough. For example, in the case of whirlpool foot spas and air-jet basins, special disinfectant must circulate through the equipment for 10 minutes between consumers.
- Buffers and files must only be used once. Once used on you, they must be thrown out immediately. Don’t let a manicurist file your toenails with a used file or buffer.
- Refuse nail products that contain Methyl Methacrylate. It can be identified by a strong odor.
- Don’t let a cosmetologist or manicurist use a razor or sharp tool to remove a callus. A manicurist can smooth a callus, but they cannot remove a callus. Removing a callus can cause harm.
- If you see something, say something. You can always file a complaint or report any concern to the Board.
The Board’s brochure “Pedicure Safety Tips” provides additional information to help ensure consumers have a safe pedicure experience. Korean | Spanish | Vietnamese
To verify a license, visit the Department of Consumer Affairs’ license search tool at https://search.dca.ca.gov/.
The California Board of Pharmacy (Board) was formed in 1891 to function as a state health regulatory agency. In 1971, the Board became part of the Department of Consumer Affairs. The Board licenses and regulates pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacist interns, pharmacy technicians, and drug wholesalers.
The Board’s purpose is to serve the public by protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the people of California with integrity and honesty; advocating the highest quality of affordable pharmaceutical care; providing the best available information on pharmaceutical care; and promoting education, wellness and quality of life.
Mission: The Board protects, promotes, and advocates for the health and safety of Californians by pursuing the highest quality of pharmacists’ care and the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals through education, communication, licensing, legislation, regulation, and enforcement.
Vision: Healthy Californians through quality pharmacist’s care.
Values:
- Integrity
- Transparency
- Responsiveness
- Compassion
Visit the Pharmacy Board’s website at: www.pharmacy.ca.gov.
Connect with the Pharmacy Board on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/CAPharmBoard.
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
- Brochures and Fact Sheets
- Complaints – How to File
- Drug Takeback Locations
- Medicare Drug Discount Program