The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is responsible for promoting and protecting the interests of millions of California consumers by serving as a guardian and advocate for their health, safety, and economic well-being and by promoting legal and ethical standards of professional conduct. The Department helps to promote good business practices and to ensure that California's consumers receive quality services by establishing minimal competency standards for more than 255 professions involving approximately 2.4 million professionals. The Department is also an important advocate on consumer and business issues. In general, the DCA's Boards and Bureaus provide exams and licensing, enforcement, complaint mediation, and education for consumers.

In addition, centralized services are provided by the DCA for efficiency. Specifically, DCA staff investigate complaints against licensees; develop valid examinations for applicants for licensure; monitor and advocate for legislation; provide consumer education and outreach; provide legal and audit services; and provide general administrative support involving personnel, budgeting, accounting, purchasing, and space management.

There are currently six bureaus and one certification program under the direct oversight of the DCA. Although four current boards became bureaus effective July 1, 2008, pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 101.1(b), their sunset dates were extended pursuant to AB 1545 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2008), and became boards again, effective January 1, 2009.

Additional information on the Department, and the various boards and bureaus is available at www.dca.ca.gov.