1111 Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureaus
Program Descriptions

23 - ARBITRATION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

The Arbitration Certification Program certifies and monitors arbitration programs offered by new car manufacturers to ensure that they substantially comply with state and federal regulations.

25 - BUREAU OF SECURITY AND INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services ensures that only those who meet the prescribed qualifications to offer services as private investigators, repossessors, uniformed security guards, private patrol operators, proprietary private security officers, alarm company operators, alarm agents, locksmiths, and firearm and baton training facilities be licensed; and enforces the regulations established by legislation for such licenses.

27 - BUREAU FOR PRIVATE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education oversees and approves private postsecondary degree-granting institutions to ensure they meet specified minimum statutory standards concerning the quality of education, ethical and business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility. The Bureau responds to student complaints and oversees a fund designed to help reimburse a student's tuition if a school closes unexpectedly.

28 - BUREAU OF ELECTRONIC AND APPLIANCE REPAIR, HOME FURNISHINGS, AND THERMAL INSULATION

The Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings, and Thermal Insulation registers and regulates all businesses engaged in major home appliance and electronic equipment repair by imposing specific obligations of ethical conduct, honesty, and full and fair disclosure, providing certain safeguards to consumers when they need repair services or enter into service contract transactions, and ridding the repair industry of unscrupulous repair dealers and service contractors. The Bureau also regulates the manufacture, distribution, and sale of upholstered furniture, bedding, and thermal insulation products sold in California to ensure they meet health, safety, and flammability standards.

31 - BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

The Bureau of Automotive Repair is responsible for regulating the automotive repair marketplace and administering the Smog Check Program. To carry out its mandate, the Bureau educates consumers, disciplines stations and technicians, seeks resolution to complaints, and licenses individuals and businesses. The Bureau also administers the nation's largest motor vehicle emissions reduction program. To help in its clean air efforts, the Bureau also administers the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). Through CAP, consumers who own a vehicle that fails a biennial inspection and who meet certain eligibility requirements can receive financial assistance for emissions-related repairs. Further, consumers can receive a financial incentive to retire their unwanted vehicle at any time for any reason. The Bureau, in cooperation with the California Air Resources Board, also administers a voucher program that offers eligible consumers additional compensation toward the purchase of lower-emitting vehicles or transportation passes after they retire their vehicle through CAP.

35 - CONSUMER AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION

35.10.025 - DIVISION OF INVESTIGATION

The Division of Investigation is vested with the statutory authority to investigate and enforce the laws administered by the client agencies within the Department to protect the health, safety, and welfare of consumers. The Division employs sworn, armed peace officers to provide objective, timely, and cost-effective investigative services for its client agencies.

35.10.035 - CONSUMER AND CLIENT SERVICES DIVISION

The Consumer and Client Services Division is comprised of:

The Administrative and Information Services Division serves to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of services, ensure proper oversight and accountability, and minimize duplication of effort. The Department centralizes several functions that support the administration and implementation of the goals of the regulatory boards and bureaus such as: policy direction, legal assistance, review of legislation, examination validation and assistance, information technology, accounting, budgets, personnel, and other administrative functions.

The Office of Public Affairs serves as the primary press office for the Department and is the primary developer of consumer alerts, fact sheets, and internet postings designed to raise awareness of consumer issues among consumers, the news media, and other stakeholders.

The Program and Consumer Services Division (PCSD), through its toll-free number, operates a call center that assists consumers and licensees by distributing publications and applications for licensure and providing referrals to other consumer resources; responds to written correspondence; informs consumers about marketplace trends; and represents consumer interests at local, state, and federal levels. Additionally, PCSD resolves consumer complaints against licensees and registrants regulated by the bureaus of the Department.

37 - TELEPHONE MEDICAL ADVICE SERVICES BUREAU

The Telephone Medical Advice Services Bureau is responsible for regulating businesses that provide medical advice by telephone to California residents. The Bureau ensures that providers of telephone medical advice are qualified licensed health-care professionals, informs patients of their rights, and pursues any reported harmful activities.

38 - CEMETERY AND FUNERAL BUREAU

The Cemetery and Funeral Bureau ensures that only qualified applicants receive licenses to operate cemeteries, crematories or funeral establishments, or act as funeral directors, embalmers, apprentice embalmers, cremated remains disposers, cemetery managers, crematory managers, cemetery brokers, or salespeople. The Bureau also ensures that licensees comply with applicable rules and regulations concerning the management of trust funds, permanence of mausoleums and columbariums, and the proper handling of human remains.

41 - BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS

The Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers ensures that only qualified persons are licensed to conduct appraisals in federally-regulated real estate loan transactions and that all real estate appraisers licensed by the state and all appraisal management companies registered by the state adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and standards.

42 - BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE

The Bureau of Real Estate ensures that individuals who wish to engage in real estate business and act in the capacity of, or advertise as, a real estate broker or salesperson within California meet specified qualifications and ensures licensees meet minimum education standards and requirements. The Bureau investigates the actions of any person acting in the capacity of a real estate licensee, performs financial compliance audits of licensees and subdividers, administratively prosecutes violations of the Real Estate Law and Subdivided Lands Law, and provides victims of real estate fraud with financial recovery per limitations set by statute. The Bureau protects the public against fraud and misrepresentation in the sale or lease of subdivided land through the issuance of public reports which disclose vital information to prospective purchasers of subdivision interests.

89 - PROFESSIONAL FIDUCIARIES BUREAU

The Professional Fiduciaries Bureau implements and enforces the Professional Fiduciaries Act by licensing and regulating individuals who act as professional fiduciaries in California. The Bureau protects against fraud and abuse by those who are charged with the care of California's most vulnerable residents by ensuring that minimum competency standards are met by establishing educational and experience requirements, conducting examinations, investigating violations of professional ethics and law, and disciplining licensees when appropriate.