California Department of Consumer Affairs

The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) provides consumer assistance and complaint resolution services to help individuals address concerns involving licensed professionals, businesses, and DCA-regulated industries.

The Department protects California consumers by overseeing licensing boards, bureaus, committees, and programs that regulate professionals and businesses. Through its consumer assistance services, DCA helps individuals understand their options, submit complaints, and connect with the appropriate regulatory body.

The Department of Consumer Affairs does not replace the complaint processes of its individual boards, bureaus, or programs. Instead, it helps consumers access the correct process and provides information about available resources.

In this OmbuDesk Directory entry, you can find information about the California Department of Consumer Affairs Consumer Complaint Resolution Services and how to contact them.

What are the Consumer Complaint Resolution Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs?

The Consumer Complaint Resolution Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs help consumers submit complaints and receive assistance regarding professionals, businesses, and services regulated by DCA.

DCA provides assistance with complaints involving licensed professionals and businesses and helps direct consumers to the appropriate board, bureau, committee, or program responsible for handling their concern.

What does the California Department of Consumer Affairs do?

The Department of Consumer Affairs can:

• Provide information about consumer rights and available options.

• Assist consumers with submitting complaints.

• Help identify the correct DCA board, bureau, committee, or program for a complaint.

• Provide information about licensed professionals and businesses.

• Refer consumers to the appropriate agency or resource when DCA does not have authority over the issue. 

Who can ask for help?

Anyone with a consumer question, concern, or complaint related to a professional, business, license, or DCA-regulated program may contact the Department of Consumer Affairs.

This includes:

• Consumers.

• Licensees.

• Applicants for professional licenses.

• Individuals seeking information about regulated professionals or businesses. 

What kinds of problems can you bring?

You can contact the Department of Consumer Affairs about concerns involving:

• Licensed professionals.

• Businesses regulated by DCA.

• Possible violations of licensing laws or regulations.

• Complaints about services provided by DCA-regulated professionals.

• Questions about how to submit a complaint or which agency handles a specific issue. 

Examples of professionals and businesses covered by DCA licensing entities include areas such as:

• Contractors.

• Healthcare professionals.

• Accountants.

• Automotive repair businesses.

• Cosmetology professionals.

• Real estate professionals.

• Other licensed occupations and businesses regulated by DCA boards and bureaus. 

What doesn’t the California Department of Consumer Affairs do?

The Department of Consumer Affairs does not:

• Act as a personal legal representative for consumers.

• Replace the complaint procedures of individual licensing boards or agencies.

• Resolve matters outside DCA’s authority.

• Guarantee a specific outcome from a complaint.

• Provide legal advice. 

If a complaint belongs to another organization or government agency, DCA may refer the individual to the appropriate resource.

Jurisdiction, Authority, and Limits

The Department of Consumer Affairs has authority over the boards, bureaus, committees, and programs under its jurisdiction.

The Department can review and process complaints related to DCA-regulated professionals and businesses. However, it does not have authority to:

• Change laws or regulations.

• Overturn court decisions.

• Act outside the authority given to DCA or its regulatory entities.

• Resolve disputes that belong to another agency or organization.

When a complaint concerns a specific profession or industry, DCA directs the complaint to the appropriate board, bureau, committee, or program for further handling.

How can you contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs?

You can contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs through:

Telephone:

(800) 952-5210

Hearing-impaired persons:

711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY)

California Relay Service:

1-800-735-2922 (Voice)