SB 1039 Summary

• Increases dental hygienist biennial renewal fee cap from $160 to $500, and establishes minimum and maximum fees for optometry-related registrations and certificates, with authority for State Board of Optometry to periodically revise fees by regulation.

• Raises nursing fees across multiple license types (renewal, application, certifications) and requires Board of Registered Nursing to audit continuing education providers at least once every 5 years to ensure compliance; modifies pharmacy fees effective July 1, 2017.

• Replaces veterinary medicine exemptions with new provisions allowing out-of-state licensed veterinarians to assist California licensees on specific cases, and allows law enforcement or animal control agencies to call in out-of-state veterinarians for animal cruelty investigations.

• Discontinues Telephone Medical Advice Services Bureau registration requirement and assigns enforcement responsibility to individual healing arts licensing boards instead; updates corresponding health plan and disability insurer requirements.

• Increases contractor license fees effective July 1, 2017, authorizes Contractors' State License Board to set fees by regulation, and requires establishment of expedited processing criteria; modifies structural pest control inspection and reporting requirements for wood-destroying pests.