CA Department of Consumer Affairs Disciplinary

Complaint Prioritization and Referral Guidelines for Healing Arts Boards

The California Department of Consumer Affairs (CA DCA) Division of Investigation has issued guidance establishing a four-tier complaint prioritization framework for Healing Arts Boards. Category 1 (Urgent) complaints alleging imminent public safety risks—including licensee impairment, theft or diversion of controlled substances, patient abuse, or overprescribing—are designated for immediate DOI referral. Categories 2–4分级处理较低优先级的投诉，分别要求在转介至DOI之前进行讨论、由各委员会处理，或仅在请求时提供协助。

Complaint Prioritization and Referral Guidelines for Professional Boards and Bureaus

The California Department of Consumer Affairs issued guidance establishing a four-tier complaint prioritization and referral system for professional boards and bureaus to determine which complaints warrant referral to the Division of Investigation. Category 1 covers urgent matters including imminent public safety risks, serious bodily injury or death, major financial fraud over $10,000, and examination subversion requiring immediate DOI referral. Categories 3 and 4 address matters boards can handle internally, including general unprofessional conduct, unlicensed practice without consumer harm, and administrative violations.