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DCA explains fee deferrals, replacement-license waivers and support resources for LA wildfire survivors
Summary
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) told the Board that Governor Newsom issued an executive order extending fee-payment deadlines, waiving replacement-license fees and suspending delinquency fees for licensees in affected Los Angeles ZIP codes; DCA provided staff contact information, a disaster help center and other resources.
Brian Clifford of the California Department of Consumer Affairs updated the Board on relief measures for licensees affected by the recent Los Angeles wildfires and summarized implementation steps required of boards and bureaus.
Clifford said the governor released an executive order that defers renewal-fee payments for DCA licensees whose licenses expire between Jan. 1 and July 1, 2025, when their business or residence address is in an impacted ZIP code. The order also waives duplicate/replacement license and wall certificate fees until Jan. 7, 2026, and suspends delinquency fees for renewals until July 1, 2025. Licensees must still renew their licenses; the executive order postpones the requirement to pay the renewal fee for one year.
DCA actions and support: DCA has updated board and bureau websites with FAQs and dedicated landing pages in online renewal systems to surface the fee-deferral option. DCA is encouraging boards to share the executive order and related resources with stakeholders and directly provided lists of licensees whose addresses fall in impacted ZIP codes so boards can reach out. DCA also established a toll-free disaster assistance number and an email contact for fire survivors who need help.
Why it matters: Licensees in affected areas receive immediate financial relief for renewal fees and replacement documents, giving them administrative breathing room while they recover from wildfire impacts. Boards are being asked to help disseminate information and to assist any licensees whose eligible addresses are not already on record.
Board discussion and follow-up: BCE staff have applied the DCA IT solution to eligible licensees based on addresses of record and are encouraging any licensee who believes they qualify but whose address of record is different (for example their residential address versus a practice address) to contact the BCE office directly. Board members noted outreach and social-media messaging and agreed staff will continue to help individual licensees as needed. DCA indicated there will be a listing of affected ZIP codes and a disaster help web page with FAQs for licensees and survivors.
Ending: Staff will continue to coordinate with DCA outreach and ensure individual licensees who need the relief are identified and assisted.
