Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of various professions and vocations by boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law authorizes any of the boards within the department, except as specified, to establish by regulation a system for a retired category of license for persons who are not actively engaged in the practice of their profession or vocation.

This bill would additionally require a board that offers a retired category of licensure to disclose that information on its internet website.

Date of Hearing: June 30, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS

Marc Berman, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1391

Author:(Wahab) – As Introduced Ver:February 20, 2026

SENATE VOTE: 38-0

SUBJECT: Department of Consumer Affairs: retired category licenses

SUMMARY: Requires a board within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) that offers a retired category of licensure to disclose that information on its website.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the DCA within the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 100)
2. Defines “board” as also inclusive of “bureau,” “commission,” “committee,” “department,” “division,” “examining committee,” “program,” and “agency.” (BPC § 22)
3. Enumerates various boards within the DCA’s jurisdiction. (BPC § 101)
4. Provides that each board within the DCA exists as a separate unit, and has the functions of setting standards, holding meetings, conducting examinations, reviewing applications, conducting investigations of violations of laws under its jurisdiction, issuing citations and holding hearings for the revocation of licenses, and the imposing of penalties following those hearings, insofar as those powers are given by statute to each respective board. (BPC § 108)
5. Provides that boards within the DCA must establish minimum qualifications and levels of competency and license persons desiring to engage in the occupations they regulate, upon determining that such persons possess the requisite skills and qualifications necessary to provide safe and effective services to the public, or register or otherwise certify persons in order to identify practitioners and ensure performance according to set and accepted professional standards. (BPC § 101.6)
6. Requires specified boards within the DCA to provide on the internet information regarding the status of every license issued by that entity. (BPC § 27)
7. Authorizes boards within the DCA to establish, by regulation, a system for an inactive category of licensure for persons who are not actively engaged in the practice of their profession or vocation. (BPC § 462)
8. Authorizes boards within the DCA to establish, by regulation, a system for a retired category of licensure for persons who are not actively engaged in the practice of their profession or vocation. (BPC § 464)
9. Establishes an inactive category of licensure for health professionals. (BPC §§ 700–704)

THIS BILL:

1. Requires a board within the DCA that offers a retired category of licensure to disclose that information on its internet website.
2. Makes additional technical and clarifying changes.

FISCAL EFFECT: Pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS:

Purpose. This bill is sponsored by the author. According to the author:

A retired license category allows individuals who have a clean license at retirement, but wish to cease license renewal because they no longer practice, to maintain the recognition of licensure. Many licensees may benefit from awareness of this option offered by their licensing program.

Background.

Department of Consumer Affairs. As of the DCA’s most recent annual report to the Legislature, the DCA consists of 36 distinct regulatory entities, including 27 boards, seven bureaus, one commission, and one program. In total, the DCA oversees more than 3.2 million licensees across more than 280 license types falling within the respective jurisdiction of each board, bureau, or other licensing entity. These license types range from physicians licensed by the Medical Board of California to hairstylists licensed by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Retired License Category. In 2016, the Legislature enacted AB 2859 (Low), which authorized boards within the DCA to establish a “retired” category of license for persons not actively engaged in the practice of their profession. Previously, most boards within the DCA were only authorized to establish an “inactive” category of licensure, which prohibited licensees from practicing unless a process was followed to obtain reinstatement. According to the author of AB 2859, some licensees no longer wished to practice their profession or vocation, but did not want their license to become “inactive.” Individuals may have their license placed in “inactive” status for various reasons, including violations of law and nonrenewal, meaning retirees would be associated with a “troublesome label” holding negative connotations. To provide for a more desirable option, the “retired” category was created.

This bill would require boards within the DCA that offer a retired category of licensure to disclose that information on their websites. This publication is intended to increase awareness of the retired license category, which may be an appropriate for licensees who do not realize that it is an option for them. The bill would additionally make minor and clarifying changes to existing law.

Prior Related Legislation. AB 2859 (Low), Chapter 473, Statutes of 2016 authorized boards within the DCA to establish, by regulation, a system for a retired category of licensure for persons who are not actively engaged in the practice of their profession or vocation.

AB 750 (Low) of 2015 would have authorized boards within the DCA to establish, by regulation, a system for a retired category of licensure. This bill was held on suspense in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

AB 1253 (Steinorth), Chapter, 125, Statutes of 2015 established educational and training requirements for an optometrist seeking a license with retired volunteer service designation who has not held an active license in more than three years.

AB 2024 (Bonilla), Chapter 336, Statutes of 2014 authorized the Professional Fiduciaries Bureau to establish, by regulation, a system for a retired category of licensure.

AB 404 (Eggman), Chapter 339, Statutes of 2013 clarified who qualifies for a retired license by specifying that a license must be either active or inactive, and reduces the timeline to restore a retired license from retired to active status from five to three years.

SB 1215 (Emmerson), Chapter 359, Statutes of 2012 established a retired license status and a retired license with a volunteer service designation for optometrists.

AB 431 (Ma), Chapter 395, Statutes of 2011 authorized the California Board of Accountancy to establish, by regulation, a system for a retired category of licensure.

SB 2191 (Emmerson), Chapter 548, Statutes of 2010 authorized the Board of Behavioral Sciences to issue a retired license as a marriage and family therapist, educational psychologist, clinical social worker or professional clinical counselor to an applicant who holds a current license or a license eligible for renewal, and establishes a $40 fee for a retired license.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:

The Dental Hygiene Board of California supports this bill, writing: “Existing law authorizes any of the boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs to establish by regulation a system for a retired category of license for people who are not actively engaged in the practice of their profession or vocation. This bill would additionally require a board that offers a retired category of licensure to disclose that information on its internet website. The Board thanks you for this legislation to provide for a transparent system to ensure the public is advised of licensees who are retired and not eligible to practice.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION:

There is no opposition on file.

REGISTERED SUPPORT:

Dental Hygiene Board of California

REGISTERED OPPOSITION:

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Robert Sumner / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301

 CONSENT  

Bill No: SB 1391

Author: Wahab (D)

Introduced: 2/20/26

Vote: 21

SENATE BUS., PROF. & ECON. DEV. COMMITTEE: 9-0, 3/23/26

AYES: Wahab, Choi, Archuleta, Caballero, Grayson, Niello, Smallwood-Cuevas, Strickland, Umberg

NO VOTE RECORDED: Arreguín, Menjivar

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

SUBJECT: Department of Consumer Affairs: retired category licenses

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill requires any entities within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) with a retired category of licensure to disclose the availability of that category on its website.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) within the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) §§ 100 et seq.)
   
2. Establishes various boards, bureaus, and other entities within the jurisdiction of the DCA. (BPC § 101)
3. Authorizes DCA programs to establish a system, through regulation, for a retired category of licensure for persons who are not actively engaged in the practice of their profession or vocation. Specifies that the regulation must ensure the following:
   
   1. A retired license shall be issued to a person whose license was not placed on inactive status for disciplinary reasons.
   2. The holder of a retired license is prohibited from engaging in any activity for which a license is required, unless the board, by regulation, specifies the criteria for a retired licensee to practice his or her profession or vocation.
   3. The holder of a retired license shall not be required to renew that license.
   4. A board must establish an appropriate application fee for a retired license to cover the reasonable regulatory cost of issuing a retired license. (BPC § 464)
4. Specifies that a holder of a retired license can restore their license to active status by paying the appropriate fee, certifying that they have not committed an act or crime constituting grounds for licensure denial, complying with fingerprint submission requirements, completing necessary continuing education required for renewal if applicable, and completing any other requirements for license renewal. (Id)
5. Specifies that a board must investigate a retired license holder if it receives a complaint or determines the individual’s actions warrant investigation. (Id)

This bill requires a board that offers a retired category of licensure to disclose that information on its internet website.

Background

Regulatory programs within the jurisdiction of the DCA issue about 3.5 million licenses, certificates, and approvals to individuals and businesses in over 250 categories.

Within the DCA are 38 entities, including 26 boards, eight bureaus, two committees, one program, and one commission (hereafter “boards” unless otherwise noted). Collectively, these boards regulate more than 100 types of businesses and 200 different industries and professions. As regulators, these boards perform two primary functions:

Licensing—which entails ensuring only those who meet minimum standards are issued a license to practice, and

Enforcement—which entails investigation of alleged violations of laws and/or regulations and taking disciplinary action, when appropriate.

DCA boards are semiautonomous regulatory bodies with the authority to set their own priorities and policies and take disciplinary action on their licensees. DCA has direct control and authority over bureaus.

In 2016, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed AB 2859 (Low, Chapter 473, Statutes of 2016) which permitted any of the boards within DCA to establish a retired category of licensure for persons not actively engaged in their practice. Boards would need to do this through the regulatory process. Current law prohibits a retired license holder from practicing unless the board specifies, through regulation, the criteria for a retired license to practice.

Prior to the implementation of AB 2859, there were a number of regulatory entities within the DCA that had express statutory authority to issue a retired license and a number of additional boards have sought updates to their governing statutes to allow for this.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/13/26)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/13/26)

None received

Prepared by: Elissa Silva / B., P. & E.D. / 916-651-4104

4/14/26 16:16:10

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Senator Aisha Wahab, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: March 23, 2026

Subject:

SUMMARY:

Requires any entities within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) with a retired category of licensure to disclose the availability of that category on its website.

Existing law:

1. Establishes the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) within the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) §§ 100 et seq.)
   
2. Establishes various boards, bureaus, and other entities within the jurisdiction of the DCA. (BPC § 101)
3. Authorizes DCA programs to establish a system, through regulation, for a retired category of licensure for persons who are not actively engaged in the practice of their profession or vocation. Specifies that the regulation must ensure the following:
4. A retired license shall be issued to a person whose license was placed on inactive status for disciplinary reasons.
5. The holder of a retired license is prohibited from engaging in any activity for which a license is required, unless the board, by regulation, specifies the criteria for a retired licensee to practice his or her profession or vocation.
6. The holder of a retired license shall not be required to renew that license.
7. A board must establish an appropriate application fee for a retired license to cover the reasonable regulatory cost of issuing a retired license. (BPC § 464)
8. Specifies that a holder of a retired license can restore their license to active status by paying the appropriate fee, certifying that they have not committed an act or crime constituting grounds for licensure denial, complying with fingerprint submission requirements, completing necessary continuing education required for renewal if applicable, and completing any other requirements for license renewal. (Id)
9. Specifies that a board must investigate a retired license holder if it receives a complaint or determines the individual’s actions warrant investigation. (Id)

This bill requires a board that offers a retired category of licensure to disclose that information on its internet website.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Unknown. This bill is keyed fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. The Author is the Sponsor of this bill. According to the Author, a retired license category allows individuals who have a clean license at retirement, but wish to cease license renewal because they no longer practice, to maintain the recognition of licensure. Many licensees may benefit from awareness of this option offered by their licensing program.
2. Background. Regulatory programs within the jurisdiction of the DCA issue about 3.5 million licenses, certificates, and approvals to individuals and businesses in over 250 categories.

Within the DCA are 38 entities, including 26 boards, eight bureaus, two committees, one program, and one commission (hereafter “boards” unless otherwise noted). Collectively, these boards regulate more than 100 types of businesses and 200 different industries and professions. As regulators, these boards perform two primary functions:

Licensing—which entails ensuring only those who meet minimum standards are issued a license to practice, and

Enforcement—which entails investigation of alleged violations of laws and/or regulations and taking disciplinary action, when appropriate.

DCA boards are semiautonomous regulatory bodies with the authority to set their own priorities and policies and take disciplinary action on their licensees. DCA has direct control and authority over bureaus.

In 2016, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed, AB 2859 (Low, Chapter 473, Statutes of 2016) which permitted any of the boards within DCA to establish a retired category of licensure for persons not actively, engaged in their practice. Boards would need to do this through the regulatory process. Business and Professions Code Section 464 prohibits a retired license holder from practicing unless the board specifies, through regulation, the criteria for a retired license to practice.

Prior to the implementation of AB 2859, there were a number of regulatory entities within the Department of Consumer Affairs that had express statutory authority to issue a retired license and a number of additional boards have sought updates to their governing statutes to allow for this.

SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION:

Support:

None received

Opposition:

None received

-- END --