California DCA — Professional Licensing & Consumer Help
Find the California licensing board or bureau for the actual profession and license type.[2] Find the regulator responsible for a consumer complaint; jurisdiction and available remedies vary.[3]
Source checked October 16, 2026[1]www.dca.ca.gov
This official directory lists local programmes and providers. Check the provider’s own instructions for current service arrangements.
Listed provider contacts ↓Online services & information
Find programme information and provider referrals below. Different organisations may handle different services.
Choose the actual board or bureau, then confirm its license type, application, materials, fees and eligibility.
Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. [2]
Follow DCA’s requirements directory to the profession-specific rules. A directory listing does not establish your individual eligibility.
Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. [2]
Some participating boards allow certain license applications and renewals through BreEZe. Use the correct board’s current instructions.
Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. [2]
Before you start
- Availability
- Only some boards allow certain license types to apply or renew in BreEZe. Confirm your board and license type. [12]
Follow official license-search instructions. Some boards have a separate search; select the responsible profession and check license status.
Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. [2]
Choose the profession or business category to reach the responsible regulator and complaint instructions.
Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. [3]
Before you start
- Eligibility & access
- DCA and its boards investigate issues within their jurisdiction. The correct profession’s board handles its own complaint and possible license discipline. [13]
Use the Consumer Information Center for routing help, language assistance or complaint mailing. Live and automated hours differ.
Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. [3]
Before you start
- Languages
- The Consumer Information Center offers help in over 200 languages and complaint-routing assistance. Automated service is 24/7; live staff hours are separate. [14]
- Availability
- Live help is Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm, opening at 8:30 am on the first and third Wednesday; closed on state holidays. [15]
Find referrals for housing, insurance, utilities and other disputes. A general feedback form is separate from a professional-board complaint.
Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. [3]
Before you start
- Availability
- Use DCA’s referral list for matters outside its jurisdiction, such as landlord/tenant, insurance, utilities and many online-merchant disputes. Choose the relevant agency for the actual issue. [16]
Fees
Fees are quoted only when a source document supports the amount and conditions.
Check the official website for its current fee schedule. No fee should be assumed to be free.
Forms & documents
Official forms and document pages for this office’s services.
Sources & last checked6 source pages · 18 citations
Sources were checked by an AI-assisted research process. A checked website does not mean every service or fee on it has been reviewed.
- [1] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Learn More about DCA (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — Our Mission
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Our Mission Provide outstanding support services, oversight, and innovative solutions to boards and bureaus that regulate California professionals and vocations so that through this partnership all Californians are informed, empowered, and protected.
- [2] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Learn More about DCA (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — DCA is a licensing entity
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
DCA is a licensing entity ‐ Through its licensing boards and bureaus, DCA licenses more than 3.4 million professionals and enables consumers to check the license status of these professionals online or by phone.
- [3] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Learn More about DCA (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — DCA is a regulator
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
DCA is a regulator ‐ Through its licensing boards and bureaus and its Division of Investigation, DCA investigates consumer complaints on issues under its jurisdiction. If violations are found, license holders can face discipline that may include probation, suspension or revocation of a license, fines and citations, letters of reprimand, cease and desist orders, or criminal charges.
- [4] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Contact Us (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — Or mail a complaint form to:
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Or mail a complaint form to: Department of Consumer Affairs Consumer Information Center 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N 112 Sacramento, CA 95834
- [5] California Department of Consumer Affairs — contact them directly through our directory (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — Links to DCA Boards and Bureaus
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Links to DCA Boards and Bureaus
- [6] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Licensees (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — Licensing Requirements
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Licensing Requirements
- [7] California Department of Consumer Affairs — About BreEZe page (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — What online services does BreEZe allow?
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
What online services does BreEZe allow?
- [8] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Licensees (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — License Search
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
License Search
- [9] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Launch service: File complaint against a professional or business (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — To File a Complaint Against a Professional or Business
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
To File a Complaint Against a Professional or Business
- [10] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Contact Us (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — Consumer Assistance
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Consumer Assistance
- [11] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Contact Us (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — DCA does NOT have jurisdiction
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
DCA does NOT have jurisdiction
- [12] California Department of Consumer Affairs — About BreEZe page (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — Some boards/bureaus/committees
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Some boards/bureaus/committees will allow you to apply for certain licenses and/or renew licenses online.
- [13] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Learn More about DCA (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — DCA is a regulator
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
DCA is a regulator ‐ Through its licensing boards and bureaus and its Division of Investigation, DCA investigates consumer complaints on issues under its jurisdiction. If violations are found, license holders can face discipline that may include probation, suspension or revocation of a license, fines and citations, letters of reprimand, cease and desist orders, or criminal charges.
- [14] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Contact Us (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — Consumer service representatives can answer
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Consumer service representatives can answer consumer, licensee, and applicant questions in over 200 different languages. They can also assist in the filing of complaints, and mail helpful publications. Automated services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- [15] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Contact Us (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — Our toll-free telephone line is staffed
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Our toll-free telephone line is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on the first and third Wednesday of each month, when we open at 8:30 a.m. We are closed on state-observed holidays.
- [16] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Contact Us (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — DCA does NOT have jurisdiction
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
DCA does NOT have jurisdiction to resolve concerns or questions related to the following: Landlord/tenant issues California Department of Real Estate California Tenants – A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities Guidebook housing.ca.gov Debt collection issues www.oag.ca.gov www.consumer.ftc.gov www.consumerfinance.gov Dating apps/websites Please contact the company directly, or visit www.bbb.org Refunds www.oag.ca.gov Warranties (excluding appliances and vehicles) www.insurance.ca.gov Telephone/cell phone provider complaints & prepaid telephone cards www.cpuc.ca.gov Travel Claims against registered participants of the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (for California consumers who suffer losses as a result of the bankruptcy, cessation of operations, insolvency, or material failure of a seller of travel to provide the contracted transportation or travel services.) www.tcrcinfo.org Insurance companies www.insurance.ca.gov App-based money transmitters www.dfpi.ca.gov Online merchants www.oag.ca.gov Internet service providers www.cpuc.ca.gov Auto purchases and driver's license laws and issues www.dmv.ca.gov For additional assistance, call the Consumer Information Center at: Main: (800) 952-5210 Hearing-impaired persons: 711, or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) If you are interested in doing business with us, please contact the Small Business/DVBE Advocate.
- [17] California Department of Consumer Affairs — Contact Us (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — For additional assistance, call the Consumer Information Center at:
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
For additional assistance, call the Consumer Information Center at: Main: (800) 952-5210 Hearing-impaired persons: 711, or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)
- [18] California Department of Consumer Affairs — contact them directly through our directory (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Consumer Affairs · Main content — Links to DCA Boards and Bureaus
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Links to DCA Boards and Bureaus