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Board approves phased plan to reduce printed renewal mailings; plans postcards and email-first approach by 2028
Summary
The board approved a staff proposal to phase out full printed renewal packets and switch to postcard reminders in the short term and to rely primarily on email notifications for renewals by 2028, with accommodations for licensees who need paper notices.
Board staff proposed a two-stage plan to reduce the number of full printed renewal application packages mailed to licensees. The board approved the staff plan, which calls for:
1) Replacing the full renewal packet with a postcard renewal reminder for most licensees by July 1, 2026. The postcard would include instructions to renew online through the department’s CONNECT system and explanatory messaging for licensees who need a printed copy. Staff estimated that using postcards would save roughly $11,000 in printing and postage costs compared with the current full mailings.
2) Moving toward primarily email-based renewal notifications by 2028 (staff suggested 2028 as a target year), using postcards only for licensees without an email address on file. Staff also indicated they will build in accommodations for licensees with disabilities or other access needs so those licensees can continue to request printed notices if necessary.
Why this matters: The move aims to reduce paper waste, speed delivery and lower printing/postage costs while encouraging licensees to use the automated CONNECT renewal system, which requires less staff time and reduces manual processing.
Board discussion: Members supported the plan and asked staff to ensure that accommodations are available for licensees who lack reliable internet access or have disabilities that require paper notices. Staff said they would work with the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Information Services to hard-code special accommodations so licensees would not need to request paper notices every year.
Next steps: Staff will implement postcard reminders in the proposed timeframe and continue a communications campaign to notify licensees of the change. The board set a goal of primarily using electronic (email) notifications by 2028 but left the specific timeline flexible to allow staff to accelerate the plan if feasible.
