Chapter 1General Provisions

Section § 475

Explanation

This section outlines the reasons a professional license can be denied, suspended, or revoked in California. It lists four main grounds for denial: making false or incomplete statements in the application, having a criminal conviction, committing acts of dishonesty or fraud, and engaging in conduct that would cause existing license holders to lose their licenses. However, you can’t be denied a license purely based on subjective judgments about your character or habits.

(a)CA Business and Professions Code § 475(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, the provisions of this division shall govern the denial of licenses on the grounds of:
(1)CA Business and Professions Code § 475(a)(1) Knowingly making a false statement of material fact, or knowingly omitting to state a material fact, in an application for a license.
(2)CA Business and Professions Code § 475(a)(2) Conviction of a crime.
(3)CA Business and Professions Code § 475(a)(3) Commission of any act involving dishonesty, fraud or deceit with the intent to substantially benefit himself or another, or substantially injure another.
(4)CA Business and Professions Code § 475(a)(4) Commission of any act which, if done by a licentiate of the business or profession in question, would be grounds for suspension or revocation of license.
(b)CA Business and Professions Code § 475(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, the provisions of this division shall govern the suspension and revocation of licenses on grounds specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a).
(c)CA Business and Professions Code § 475(c) A license shall not be denied, suspended, or revoked on the grounds of a lack of good moral character or any similar ground relating to an applicant’s character, reputation, personality, or habits.
license denial false statements material fact criminal conviction dishonesty fraud deceit benefit injury license suspension license revocation good moral character applicant's character license application errors professional conduct
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1289, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 1993.)

Section § 476

Explanation

This section explains that, generally, the rules in this division don't apply to licensing or registration under certain specific chapters, unless noted otherwise. However, Section 494.5 still applies to licensing related to practicing law and certain other registrations specified in these chapters.

(a)CA Business and Professions Code § 476(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), nothing in this division shall apply to the licensure or registration of persons pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 6000) of Division 3, or pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 23000) or pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 19800) of Division 8.
(b)CA Business and Professions Code § 476(b) Section 494.5 shall apply to the licensure of persons authorized to practice law pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 6000) of Division 3, and the licensure or registration of persons pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 19800) of Division 8 or pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 23000).
licensure exemption Section 494.5 applicability Division 3 Chapter 4 Division 8 Chapter 5 Division 9 registration exceptions law practice licensing specific exclusions Chapter 4 Section 6000 Division 8 Section 19800 Division 9 Section 23000
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 455, Sec. 2. (AB 1424) Effective January 1, 2012.)

Section § 477

Explanation
This section explains that when the law mentions a "Board," it also includes any bureau, commission, committee, department, division, examining committee, program, or agency. Similarly, "License" refers to certificates, registrations, or any permission required to work in a particular business or profession governed by this code.
As used in this division:
(a)CA Business and Professions Code § 477(a) “Board” includes “bureau,” “commission,” “committee,” “department,” “division,” “examining committee,” “program,” and “agency.”
(b)CA Business and Professions Code § 477(b) “License” includes certificate, registration or other means to engage in a business or profession regulated by this code.
Board definition License definition bureau commission committee department division examining committee program agency certificate registration business regulation profession regulation
(Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 654, Sec. 5.)

Section § 478

Explanation

This law defines two key terms used in the division: 'application' and 'material.' An 'application' refers to the initial and any supporting documents submitted in a process, whether by the applicant or others. 'Material' refers to any statement or omission that significantly relates to the qualifications or duties relevant to a business or profession.

(a)CA Business and Professions Code § 478(a) As used in this division, “application” includes the original documents or writings filed and any other supporting documents or writings including supporting documents provided or filed contemporaneously, or later, in support of the application whether provided or filed by the applicant or by any other person in support of the application.
(b)CA Business and Professions Code § 478(b) As used in this division, “material” includes a statement or omission substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession.
application documents supporting documents statement omission qualifications business duties profession requirements original documents contemporaneous filing applicant support qualification relevance
(Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1289, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1993.)