SB 1445: Healing arts.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(1)Under existing law, the Department of Consumer Affairs is composed of various boards, bureaus, and commissions that license and regulate the practice of various professions and vocations. Existing law provides that these entities are established to ensure that those private businesses and professions deemed to engage in activities that have potential impact upon the public health, safety, and welfare are adequately regulated to protect the people of California, as prescribed.

Existing law requires a registering authority, defined as the Department of Real Estate or specified boards, bureaus, and commissions of the Department of Consumer Affairs, to register a servicemember or a spouse of a servicemember who relocated to the state because of military orders for military service within this state and meets specified requirements. Under existing law, a registered person is deemed a licensee of the registering authority for purposes of the laws administered by that registering authority relating to standards of practice, discipline, and continuing education, as specified. Among the requirements for registrations, the applicant must be in good standing and have performed at least one activity within the scope and under the authority of their professional license within the 2 years preceding their relocation. Existing law also requires the applicant to submit to the registering authority an affidavit attesting to having met all of the requirements for registration and to the accuracy of the information submitted to the registering authority, as specified.

This bill would define “good standing” and “military orders” for purposes of those provisions. The bill would delete the requirement that the applicant have performed an activity within the scope and under the authority of their professional license within the 2 years preceding their relocation. The bill would require that the applicant’s affidavit to include an attestation that the applicant read, understood, and will comply with the standards and scope of practice of the registering authority’s licensees. By expanding the scope of the crime of perjury and by expanding the application of professional licensing laws, the violation of some of which is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(2)Under existing law, if a coroner receives information from a pathologist indicating that a death may be the result of the gross negligence or incompetence of a physician and surgeon, podiatrist, or physician assistant, a confidential report is required to be filed with the applicable regulatory agency, as specified.

This bill instead would require that the reporting of that information is received by a county coroner or a county medical examiner. By expanding the duties of local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(3)Existing law, the Dental Practice Act, establishes the Dental Board of California in the Department of Consumer Affairs to license and regulate the practice of dentistry. Existing law requires the board to require an applicant for licensure to successfully complete certain examinations. Chapter 483 of the Statutes of 2024 (SB 1453) removed a pathway for licensure under which the applicant was authorized to meet the examination requirement by taking and receiving a passing score on a portfolio examination, as specified.

Sponsors

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 14, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 237, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 14, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 4, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. August 28, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 27, 2026Ordered to special consent calendar.
6. August 25, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
7. August 25, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6522.) Ordered to the Senate.
8. August 20, 2026Ordered to third reading.
9. August 20, 2026Read third time and amended.
10. August 18, 2026Ordered to third reading.
11. August 18, 2026Read third time and amended.
12. August 6, 2026Ordered to third reading.