Who We Are and What We Do - California Department of Consumer Affairs

The Department of Consumer Affairs - Who We Are and What We Do

Revised 2012

A complete list of DCA's bureaus, programs, boards, committees, and commissions with addresses, phone numbers, and Web sites.
800.952.5210 | www.dca.ca.gov

Publications are available from the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) on a variety of consumer topics from automobiles to professional therapy to vocational nursing. Visit www.dca.ca.gov to download publications, or call DCA toll-free at 866.320.8652 to request free, printed copies. Ask for the DCA Publications List, or find it online at www.dca.ca.gov. For more information about the California Department of Consumer Affairs, visit www.dca.ca.gov, or call 800.952.5210.

Ensuring a Fair Marketplace

California Department of Consumer Affairs
All of us buy services from professionals such as accountants, doctors, cosmetologists, and many others. The marketplace, where these transactions happen, is as old as civilization itself. Equally ancient are the practices of fraud and cheating. The Department of Consumer Affairs protects the rights of both buyers and sellers to help ensure a fair marketplace for all Californians.

What we do
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) educates consumers by giving them the information they need to avoid unscrupulous or unqualified people who promote deceptive or unsafe services.

DCA informs the public through publications which are available online at www.dca.ca.gov or by calling the DCA Consumer Information Center at 800.952.5210 or the Office of Publications, Design & Editing (PDE) at 866.320.8652.

DCA brings information directly to consumers by giving presentations to community and consumer groups and by distributing consumer materials at community events. DCA also develops partnerships with other community, city, county, and state consumer protection leaders who are working to empower consumers. By sharing information, resources, and distribution methods, DCA strives to effectively serve all California consumers.

DCA supports and helps consumers
DCA advocates consumer interests before lawmakers. We also provide consumers with current license status information on the more than 2.5 million professionals licensed or certified through our boards and bureaus. (Simply click on "License Verification" at DCA's Web site: www.dca.ca.gov). Licensing also ensures that practitioners perform their duties to an acceptable standard and provides consumers with a remedy if a service is not delivered.

DCA is a regulator
The Department issues more than 2.5 million licenses, certificates, and approvals to individuals and businesses in 240 categories. DCA works with professions throughout California to guard our licensees against unfair competition and our consumers from unlicensed practitioners.

DCA enforces laws to protect consumers
Enforcement of consumer laws is one of DCA’s primary responsibilities. The Department’s enforcement staff works with the Attorney General’s Office and local district attorneys to fight fraud in the marketplace. Many investigations are initiated as the result of complaints from consumers. If DCA determines wrongdoing, it can place licensees on probation. DCA may also suspend or revoke licenses. The Department also has the authority to fine businesses and individuals and issue citations, Letters of Reprimand, and Cease and Desist orders. In less severe cases, our enforcement staff works closely with licensees to correct, eliminate, and prevent performance problems.

DCA resolves disputes
When a dispute arises between a business and a customer, many people think they have to go to court to remedy the situation. DCA has developed a program that offers a time-saving, less expensive solution. DCA’s Consumer Resolution Program provides an alternative method of resolving complaints without going to court. Through this process, the individuals involved in a dispute can work out their own solution with the help of a mediator. Information on DCA's Consumer Resolution Program and local mediation programs is available on the DCA Web site at www.dca.ca.gov or by calling 800.952.5210.

Our Mission
To protect and serve the interests of California consumers.

Our Vision
California consumers make informed choices and have access to competent and ethical service providers.

Our Values
As a government agency dedicated to serving the interests of California consumers, the Department of Consumer Affairs values:

Accountability–We are accountable to the people of California and each other as stakeholders. We operate transparently and encourage public participation in our decision-making whenever possible.
Efficiency–We diligently identify the best ways to deliver high-quality services with the most efficient use of our resources.
Effectiveness–We make informed decisions that make a difference and have a positive, measurable impact.
Integrity–We are honest, fair, and respectful in our treatment of everyone.
Customer Service–We acknowledge all stakeholders as our customers, listen to them, and take their needs into account.
Employees–We are an employer of choice and strategically recruit, train, and retain employees. We value and recognize employee contributions and talent.
Unity–We draw strength from our organizational diversity as well as California’s ever-changing cultural and economic diversity.

A BRIEF HISTORY
California Department of Consumer Affairs
California's commitment to protecting consumers began with the passage of the Medical Practice Act of 1876. The Act was designed to regulate the State's medical professionals, who up to that point had operated virtually unchecked. Additional professions and vocations were brought under State authority in the course of the next 30 years. By the late 1920s, the Department of Vocational and Professional Standards was responsible for licensing or certifying accountants, architects, barbers, cosmetologists, dentists, embalmers, optometrists, pharmacists, physicians, and veterinarians. The Consumer Affairs Act was passed in 1970, giving the Department its current name.

Today, DCA issues more than 2.5 million licenses, certificates, and approvals to individuals and businesses in 240 categories. To safeguard consumers, this involves setting the qualifications and levels of competency for the professionals regulated by the Department's boards and bureaus. These programs license, register, or certify practitioners; investigate complaints; and discipline violators. Boards, committees, and one commission operate independently, but rely on DCA for administrative support. Fees paid by our licensees fund DCA operations almost exclusively. Bureaus, programs, divisions, and offices are under the full control of DCA.

Boards, Bureaus and Committees

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A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H-K | L | M | N | O | P-Q | R | S | T-U | V-Z

A

accountants
California Board of Accountancy
2000 Evergreen Street, Suite 250
Sacramento, CA 95815
www.dca.ca.gov/cba
t 916.263.3680

Licenses and regulates:

Accountancy Corporations and Partnerships
Certified Public Accountants
Public Accountants

acupuncturists
Acupuncture Board
1747 N. Market Blvd, Suite 180
Sacramento, CA 95834
www.acupuncture.ca.gov
t 916.515.5200
acupuncture@dca.ca.gov

Licenses and regulates:

Acupuncturists

appliance repair
See Electronics Repair, Home Furnishings

architects
California Architects Board
2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 105
Sacramento, CA 95834
www.cab.ca.gov
t 916.574.7220
cab@dca.ca.gov

Licenses and regulates:

Architects

Landscape Architects Technical Committee
2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 105
Sacramento, CA 95834
www.latc.ca.gov
t 916.575.7230
latc@dca.ca.gov

Landscape Architects

automobile repairs, warranty disputes
Arbitration Certification Program (ACP)
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112
Sacramento, CA 95834
www.dca.ca.gov/acp
Lemon Law
t 800.952.5210 | 916.574.7350
acp@dca.ca.gov

This program certifies and monitors third-party arbitration programs associated with participating automobile and recreational vehicle manufacturers. ACP ensures that these programs are in compliance with California’s Lemon Law and with regulations governing the resolution of warranty disputes involving new and used vehicles purchased with the manufacturer’s new car warranty.

Bureau of Automotive Repair
10240 Systems Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95827
www.smogcheck.ca.gov
t 800.952.5210
BAREditor@dca.ca.gov

Licenses and regulates:

Automotive Repair Facilities
Lamp and Brake Inspection Stations
Smog Check Stations and Technicians

Written estimates are required for auto repairs. Except for warranty replacement parts or parts that are too heavy or too large, consumers are entitled to the return of their replaced auto parts if they request them at the time the work order is place.