CHAPTER _______

An act to amend Sections 1724, 1944, 2456.1, 2570.16, 4842.5, 4905, 4970, and 5604 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 483, Patterson. Healing arts: license fees: proration.

Existing law provides for the regulation and licensure of various professions and vocations by boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law establishes fees for initial licenses, initial temporary and permanent licenses, and original licenses for those various professions and vocations. Existing law requires that licenses issued to certain licensees, including, among others, architects, acupuncturists, dental hygienists, dentists, occupational therapists, osteopathic physicians and surgeons, registered veterinary technicians, and veterinarians, expire at 12 a.m. on either the last day of the birth month of the licensee or at 12 a.m. of the legal birth date of the licensee during the 2nd year of a 2-year term, if not renewed.

This bill would, commencing July 1, 2017, require that the fees imposed on these licensees for an initial license or an original license be prorated on a monthly basis. The bill would, commencing July 1, 2017, require that the fee assessed an osteopathic physician and surgeon for license renewal be prorated on a monthly basis.

This bill would incorporate additional changes in Section 1724 of the Business and Professions Code, proposed by Assembly Bill 179, that would become operative only if this bill and Assembly Bill 179 are chaptered and become effective January 1, 2016, and this bill is chaptered last.

This bill would incorporate additional changes in Section 1944 of the Business and Professions Code, proposed by Senate Bill 800, that would become operative only if this bill and Senate Bill 800 are chaptered and become effective January 1, 2016, and this bill is chaptered last.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 1724 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1724.  

The amount of charges and fees for dentists licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be established by the board as is necessary for the purpose of carrying out the responsibilities required by this chapter as it relates to dentists, subject to the following limitations:

(a) The fee for application for examination shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500).

(b) The fee for application for reexamination shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

(c) The fee for examination and for reexamination shall not exceed eight hundred dollars ($800). Applicants who are found to be ineligible to take the examination shall be entitled to a refund in an amount fixed by the board.

(d) The fee for an initial license and for the renewal of a license is five hundred twenty-five dollars ($525). Commencing July 1, 2017, the fee for an initial license shall be prorated on a monthly basis.

(e) The fee for a special permit shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300), and the renewal fee for a special permit shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

(f) The delinquency fee shall be the amount prescribed by Section 163.5.

(g) The penalty for late registration of change of place of practice shall not exceed seventy-five dollars ($75).

(h) The application fee for permission to conduct an additional place of practice shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200).

(i) The renewal fee for an additional place of practice shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

(j) The fee for issuance of a substitute certificate shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125).

(k) The fee for a provider of continuing education shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per year.

(l) The fee for application for a referral service permit and for renewal of that permit shall not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25).

(m) The fee for application for an extramural facility permit and for the renewal of a permit shall not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25).

The board shall report to the appropriate fiscal committees of each house of the Legislature whenever the board increases any fee pursuant to this section and shall specify the rationale and justification for that increase.

SEC. 1.5.  

Section 1724 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1724.  

The amount of charges and fees for dentists licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be established by the board as is necessary for the purpose of carrying out the responsibilities required by this chapter as it relates to dentists, subject to the following limitations:

(a) The fee for an application for licensure qualifying pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 1632 shall not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500). The fee for an application for licensure qualifying pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 1632 shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(b) The fee for an application for licensure qualifying pursuant to Section 1634.1 shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(c) The fee for an application for licensure qualifying pursuant to Section 1635.5 shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(d) The fee for an initial license and for the renewal of a license is five hundred twenty-five dollars ($525). On and after January 1, 2016, the fee for an initial license shall not exceed six hundred fifty dollars ($650), and the fee for the renewal of a license shall not exceed six hundred fifty dollars ($650). On and after January 1, 2018, the fee for an initial license shall not exceed eight hundred dollars ($800), and the fee for the renewal of a license shall not exceed eight hundred dollars ($800). Commencing July 1, 2017, the fee for an initial license shall be prorated on a monthly basis.

(e) The fee for an application for a special permit shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), and the renewal fee for a special permit shall not exceed six hundred dollars ($600).

(f) The delinquency fee shall be 50 percent of the renewal fee for such a license or permit in effect on the date of the renewal of the license or permit.

(g) The penalty for late registration of change of place of practice shall not exceed seventy-five dollars ($75).

(h) The fee for an application for an additional office permit shall not exceed seven hundred fifty dollars ($750), and the fee for the renewal of an additional office permit shall not exceed three hundred seventy-five dollars ($375).

(i) The fee for issuance of a replacement pocket license, replacement wall certificate, or replacement engraved certificate shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125).

(j) The fee for a provider of continuing education shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per year.

(k) The fee for application for a referral service permit and for renewal of that permit shall not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25).

(l) The fee for application for an extramural facility permit and for the renewal of a permit shall not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25).

(m) The fee for an application for an elective facial cosmetic surgery permit shall not exceed four thousand dollars ($4,000), and the fee for the renewal of an elective facial cosmetic surgery permit shall not exceed eight hundred dollars ($800).

(n) The fee for an application for an oral and maxillofacial surgery permit shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), and the fee for the renewal of an oral and maxillofacial surgery permit shall not exceed one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200).

(o) The fee for an application for a general anesthesia permit shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), and the fee for the renewal of a general anesthesia permit shall not exceed six hundred dollars ($600).

(p) The fee for an onsite inspection and evaluation related to a general anesthesia or conscious sedation permit shall not exceed four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500).

(q) The fee for an application for a conscious sedation permit shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), and the fee for the renewal of a conscious sedation permit shall not exceed six hundred dollars ($600).

(r) The fee for an application for an oral conscious sedation permit shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), and the fee for the renewal of an oral conscious sedation permit shall not exceed six hundred dollars ($600).

(s) The fee for a certification of licensure shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125).

(t) The fee for an application for the law and ethics examination shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

The board shall report to the appropriate fiscal committees of each house of the Legislature whenever the board increases any fee pursuant to this section and shall specify the rationale and justification for that increase.

SEC. 2.  

Section 1944 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1944.  

(a) The committee shall establish by resolution the amount of the fees that relate to the licensing of a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, and a registered dental hygienist in extended functions. The fees established by board resolution in effect on June 30, 2009, as they relate to the licensure of registered dental hygienists, registered dental hygienists in alternative practice, and registered dental hygienists in extended functions, shall remain in effect until modified by the committee. The fees are subject to the following limitations:

(1) The application fee for an original license and the fee for the issuance of an original license shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250). Commencing July 1, 2017, the fee for the issuance of an original license shall be prorated on a monthly basis.

(2) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.

(3) For third- and fourth-year dental students, the fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.

(4) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist in extended functions shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.

(5) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice shall not exceed the actual cost of administering the examination.

(6) The biennial renewal fee shall not exceed one hundred sixty dollars ($160).

(7) The delinquency fee shall not exceed one-half of the renewal fee. Any delinquent license may be restored only upon payment of all fees, including the delinquency fee, and compliance with all other applicable requirements of this article.

(8) The fee for issuance of a duplicate license to replace one that is lost or destroyed, or in the event of a name change, shall not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) or one-half of the renewal fee, whichever is greater.

(9) The fee for certification of licensure shall not exceed one-half of the renewal fee.

(10) The fee for each curriculum review and site evaluation for educational programs for dental hygienists who are not accredited by a committee-approved agency shall not exceed two thousand one hundred dollars ($2,100).

(11) The fee for each review or approval of course requirements for licensure or procedures that require additional training shall not exceed seven hundred fifty dollars ($750).

(12) The initial application and biennial fee for a provider of continuing education shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500).

(13) The amount of fees payable in connection with permits issued under Section 1962 is as follows:

(A) The initial permit fee is an amount equal to the renewal fee for the applicant’s license to practice dental hygiene in effect on the last regular renewal date before the date on which the permit is issued.

(B) If the permit will expire less than one year after its issuance, then the initial permit fee is an amount equal to 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the last regular renewal date before the date on which the permit is issued.

(b) The renewal and delinquency fees shall be fixed by the committee by resolution at not more than the current amount of the renewal fee for a license to practice under this article nor less than five dollars ($5).

(c) Fees fixed by the committee by resolution pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the approval of the Office of Administrative Law.

(d) Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be collected by the committee and deposited into the State Dental Hygiene Fund, which is hereby created. All money in this fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used to implement this article.

(e) No fees or charges other than those listed in this section shall be levied by the committee in connection with the licensure of registered dental hygienists, registered dental hygienists in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienists in extended functions.

(f) The fee for registration of an extramural dental facility shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(g) The fee for registration of a mobile dental hygiene unit shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

(h) The biennial renewal fee for a mobile dental hygiene unit shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(i) The fee for an additional office permit shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(j) The biennial renewal fee for an additional office as described in Section 1926.4 shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(k) The initial application and biennial special permit fee is an amount equal to the biennial renewal fee specified in paragraph (6) of subdivision (a).

(l) The fees in this section shall not exceed an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable regulatory cost of carrying out this article.

SEC. 2.5.  

Section 1944 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1944.  

(a) The committee shall establish by resolution the amount of the fees that relate to the licensing of a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, and a registered dental hygienist in extended functions. The fees established by board resolution in effect on June 30, 2009, as they relate to the licensure of registered dental hygienists, registered dental hygienists in alternative practice, and registered dental hygienists in extended functions, shall remain in effect until modified by the committee. The fees are subject to the following limitations:

(1) The application fee for an original license and the fee for the issuance of an original license shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250). Commencing July 1, 2017, the fee for the issuance of an original license shall be prorated on a monthly basis.

(2) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.

(3) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist in extended functions shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.

(4) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice shall not exceed the actual cost of administering the examination.

(5) The biennial renewal fee shall not exceed one hundred sixty dollars ($160).

(6) The delinquency fee shall not exceed one-half of the renewal fee. Any delinquent license may be restored only upon payment of all fees, including the delinquency fee, and compliance with all other applicable requirements of this article.

(7) The fee for issuance of a duplicate license to replace one that is lost or destroyed, or in the event of a name change, shall not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) or one-half of the renewal fee, whichever is greater.

(8) The fee for certification of licensure shall not exceed one-half of the renewal fee.

(9) The fee for each curriculum review, feasibility study review, and site evaluation for educational programs for dental hygienists who are not accredited by a committee-approved agency shall not exceed two thousand one hundred dollars ($2,100).

(10) The fee for each review or approval of course requirements for licensure or procedures that require additional training shall not exceed seven hundred fifty dollars ($750).

(11) The initial application and biennial fee for a provider of continuing education shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500).

(12) The amount of fees payable in connection with permits issued under Section 1962 is as follows:

(A) The initial permit fee is an amount equal to the renewal fee for the applicant’s license to practice dental hygiene in effect on the last regular renewal date before the date on which the permit is issued.

(B) If the permit will expire less than one year after its issuance, then the initial permit fee is an amount equal to 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the last regular renewal date before the date on which the permit is issued.

(b) The renewal and delinquency fees shall be fixed by the committee by resolution at not more than the current amount of the renewal fee for a license to practice under this article nor less than five dollars ($5).

(c) Fees fixed by the committee by resolution pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the approval of the Office of Administrative Law.

(d) Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be collected by the committee and deposited into the State Dental Hygiene Fund, which is hereby created. All money in this fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used to implement this article.

(e) No fees or charges other than those listed in this section shall be levied by the committee in connection with the licensure of registered dental hygienists, registered dental hygienists in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienists in extended functions.

(f) The fee for registration of an extramural dental facility shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(g) The fee for registration of a mobile dental hygiene unit shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

(h) The biennial renewal fee for a mobile dental hygiene unit shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(i) The fee for an additional office permit shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(j) The biennial renewal fee for an additional office as described in Section 1926.4 shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(k) The initial application and biennial special permit fee is an amount equal to the biennial renewal fee specified in paragraph (6) of subdivision (a).

(l) The fees in this section shall not exceed an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable regulatory cost of carrying out this article.

SEC. 3.  

Section 2456.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

2456.1.  

(a) All osteopathic physician’s and surgeon’s certificates shall expire at 12 midnight on the last day of the birth month of the licensee during the second year of a two-year term if not renewed on or before that day.

(b) The board shall establish by regulation procedures for the administration of a birth date renewal program, including, but not limited to, the establishment of a system of staggered license expiration dates such that a relatively equal number of licenses expire monthly.

(c) To renew an unexpired license, the licensee shall, on or before the dates on which it would otherwise expire, apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board and pay the prescribed renewal fee.

(d) Commencing July 1, 2017, the fee assessed pursuant to this section shall be prorated on a monthly basis.

SEC. 4.  

Section 2570.16 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

2570.16.  

Initial license and renewal fees shall be established by the board in an amount that does not exceed a ceiling of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per year. Commencing July 1, 2017, the initial license fee shall be prorated on a monthly basis. The board shall establish the following additional fees:

(a) An application fee not to exceed fifty dollars ($50).

(b) A late renewal fee as provided for in Section 2570.10.

(c) A limited permit fee.

(d) A fee to collect fingerprints for criminal history record checks.

SEC. 5.  

Section 4842.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4842.5.  

The amount of fees prescribed by this article is fixed by the following schedule:

(a) The fee for filing an application for examination shall be set by the board in an amount it determines is reasonably necessary to provide sufficient funds to carry out the purposes of this chapter, not to exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).

(b) The fee for the California registered veterinary technician examination shall be set by the board in an amount it determines is reasonably necessary to provide sufficient funds to carry out the purposes of this chapter, not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300).

(c) The initial registration fee shall be set by the board at not more than three hundred fifty dollars ($350), except that, if the license is issued less than one year before the date on which it will expire, then the fee shall be set by the board at not more than one hundred seventy-five dollars ($175). Commencing July 1, 2017, the initial registration fee shall be set by the board at not more than three hundred fifty dollars ($350) and shall be prorated on a monthly basis. The board may adopt regulations to provide for the waiver or refund of the initial registration fee when the registration is issued less than 45 days before the date on which it will expire.

(d) The biennial renewal fee shall be set by the board at not more than three hundred fifty dollars ($350).

(e) The delinquency fee shall be set by the board at not more than fifty dollars ($50).

(f) Any charge made for duplication or other services shall be set at the cost of rendering the services.

(g) The fee for filing an application for approval of a school or institution offering a curriculum for training registered veterinary technicians pursuant to Section 4843 shall be set by the board at an amount not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300). The school or institution shall also pay for the actual costs of an onsite inspection conducted by the board pursuant to Section 2065.6 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, including, but not limited to, the travel, food, and lodging expenses incurred by an inspection team sent by the board.

(h) The fee for failure to report a change in the mailing address is twenty-five dollars ($25).

SEC. 6.  

Section 4905 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4905.  

The following fees shall be collected by the board and shall be credited to the Veterinary Medical Board Contingent Fund:

(a) The fee for filing an application for examination shall be set by the board in an amount it determines is reasonably necessary to provide sufficient funds to carry out the purpose of this chapter, not to exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).

(b) The fee for the California state board examination shall be set by the board in an amount it determines is reasonably necessary to provide sufficient funds to carry out the purpose of this chapter, not to exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).

(c) The fee for the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act examination shall be set by the board in an amount it determines reasonably necessary to provide sufficient funds to carry out the purpose of this chapter, not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

(d) The initial license fee shall be set by the board not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) except that, if the license is issued less than one year before the date on which it will expire, then the fee shall be set by the board at not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250). Commencing July 1, 2017, the initial license fee shall be set by the board not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) and shall be prorated on a monthly basis. The board, by appropriate regulation, may provide for the waiver or refund of the initial license fee when the license is issued less than 45 days before the date on which it will expire.

(e) The renewal fee shall be set by the board for each biennial renewal period in an amount it determines is reasonably necessary to provide sufficient funds to carry out the purpose of this chapter, not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500).

(f) The temporary license fee shall be set by the board in an amount it determines is reasonably necessary to provide sufficient funds to carry out the purpose of this chapter, not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(g) The delinquency fee shall be set by the board, not to exceed fifty dollars ($50).

(h) The fee for issuance of a duplicate license is twenty-five dollars ($25).

(i) Any charge made for duplication or other services shall be set at the cost of rendering the service, except as specified in subdivision (h).

(j) The fee for failure to report a change in the mailing address is twenty-five dollars ($25).

(k) The initial and annual renewal fees for registration of veterinary premises shall be set by the board in an amount not to exceed four hundred dollars ($400) annually.

(l) If the money transferred from the Veterinary Medical Board Contingent Fund to the General Fund pursuant to the Budget Act of 1991 is redeposited into the Veterinary Medical Board Contingent Fund, the fees assessed by the board shall be reduced correspondingly. However, the reduction shall not be so great as to cause the Veterinary Medical Board Contingent Fund to have a reserve of less than three months of annual authorized board expenditures. The fees set by the board shall not result in a Veterinary Medical Board Contingent Fund reserve of more than 10 months of annual authorized board expenditures.

SEC. 7.  

Section 4970 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4970.  

The amount of fees prescribed for licensed acupuncturists shall be those set forth in this section unless a lower fee is fixed by the board in accordance with Section 4972.

(a) The application fee shall be seventy-five dollars ($75).

(b) The examination and reexamination fees shall be the actual cost to the Acupuncture Board for the development and writing of, grading, and administering of each examination.

(c) The initial license fee shall be three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325), except that if the license will expire less than one year after its issuance, then the initial license fee shall be an amount equal to 50 percent of the initial license fee. Commencing July 1, 2017, the initial license fee shall be three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325) and shall be prorated on a monthly basis.

(d) The renewal fee shall be three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325) and in the event a lower fee is fixed by the board, shall be an amount sufficient to support the functions of the board in the administration of this chapter. The renewal fee shall be assessed on an annual basis until January 1, 1996, and on and after that date the board shall assess the renewal fee biennially.

(e) The delinquency fee shall be set in accordance with Section 163.5.

(f) The application fee for the approval of a school or college under Section 4939 shall be three thousand dollars ($3,000). This subdivision shall become inoperative on January 1, 2017.

(g) The duplicate wall license fee is an amount equal to the cost to the board for the issuance of the duplicate license.

(h) The duplicate renewal receipt fee is ten dollars ($10).

(i) The endorsement fee is ten dollars ($10).

(j) The fee for a duplicate license for an additional office location as required under Section 4961 shall be fifteen dollars ($15).

SEC. 8.  

Section 5604 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

5604.  

The fees prescribed by this chapter for architect applicants or architect licenseholders shall be fixed by the board as follows:

(a) The application fee for reviewing a candidate’s eligibility to take any section of the examination shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

(b) The fee for any section of the examination administered by the board shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

(c) The fee for an original license at an amount equal to the renewal fee in effect at the time the license is issued, except that, if the license is issued less than one year before the date on which it will expire, then the fee shall be fixed at an amount equal to 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect at the time the license is issued. Commencing July 1, 2017, the fee for an original license at an amount equal to the renewal fee in effect at the time the license is issued and the fee for an original license shall be prorated on a monthly basis. The board, by appropriate regulation, may provide for the waiver or refund of the fee for an original license if the license is issued less than 45 days before the date on which it will expire.

(d) The fee for an application for reciprocity shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

(e) The fee for a duplicate license shall not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25).

(f) The renewal fee shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).

(g) The delinquency fee shall not exceed 50 percent of the renewal fee.

(h) The fee for a retired license shall not exceed the fee prescribed in subdivision (c).

SEC. 9.  

Section 1.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 1724 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 179. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 1724 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 179, in which case Section 1 of this bill shall not become operative.

SEC. 10.  

Section 2.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 1944 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 800. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 1944 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 800, in which case Section 2 of this bill shall not become operative.

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