State

The Department of Business Oversight (DBO)

The DBO protects consumers and oversees financial service providers and products. The DBO supervises the operations of state-licensed financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and money transmitters. Additionally, the DBO licenses and regulates a variety of financial service providers, including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers, payday lenders, and other consumer finance lenders. Click here for a complete list of the types of financial services providers and industries that are regulated by the DBO.

The Department of Business Oversight has a page designed for small business information, as small businesses make great a partner! Follow the link for more.

California Department of Consumer Affairs

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) protects and serves California consumers while ensuring a competent and fair marketplace. The DCA helps consumers learn how to protect themselves from unscrupulous and unqualified individuals. The department also protects professionals from unfair competition by unlicensed practitioners. The department issues licenses in more than 250 business and professional categories.  Click here for more information about license and permits.

California Electronic Job Listing Service

CalJobs connects job seekers with employers, allowing employers to post job listings and job seekers to search for job openings. CalJobs even has employment programs for unemployment insurance claimants, veterans, older workers, people with disabilities, and youth.

California Employment Development Department

The Employment Development Department (EDD) is one of the largest state departments with employees at hundreds of service locations throughout the state. For more than 70 years, they have connected millions of job seekers and employers in an effort to build the economy of the Golden State.

California Employment Training Panel

The Employment Training Panel (ETP) provides funding to employers to assist in upgrading the skills of their workers through training that leads to good paying, long-term jobs. The ETP is a funding agency, not a training agency. Businesses determine their own training needs and how to provide training.

California Public Utilities Commission

The California Public Utilities Commission has a Small Business Program, which promotes small business economic vitality by offering programs and iniativies that support small businesses with utility-related issues, policies, and practices. The CPUC program:

• Promotes economic development of the small business community by providing resources and information about state and utility contracting opportunities.
• Ensures the competitive nature of small business requests for state contracting and CPUC service needs.
• Provides the education and outreach necessary to raise internal and external awareness of various regulatory and legislative policy issues impacting the small business community.

California Department of Education

The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world. California Department of Education’s (CDE) Small Business/Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise (DVBE) Advocates assist California’s small businesses and DVBEs on how to do business with CDE, help resolve contract issues, ensure prompt payment, and disseminate information on pending solicitations.

California Department of Insurance

Oversees insurance regulations, enforces statutes, mandates consumer protections, educates consumers, and fosters the stability of insurance markets in California. The CDI has authority over how the insurance industry conducts business within California as well as licenses and regulates the rates and practices of insurance companies, agents, and brokers in the state.

Whether you are contemplating starting a new business, are a new business owner, or have owned a business for many years, commercial insurance can be one of the most important on-going financial investments you make in the life for your company. Operating a business is less challenging having to not worry about suffering significant financial loss due to unforeseen circumstances.

California Department of Motor Vehicles

It regulates new car dealers (through the New Motor Vehicle Board), commercial cargo carriers, private driving schools, and private traffic schools. Also, find information about vehicle registration, vehicle title, commercial vehicles, and more. In addition, the Department of Motor Vehicles fully supports the Small Business and DVBE participation programs and is committed to assisting the local suppliers who are certified small businesses or DVBEs in the expansion, growth and development of the small business and DVBE business community. View the link to find out more about the products and services needed

California Department of Real Estate

California Department of Real Estate’s mission is to safeguard and promote the public interests in real estate matters through licensure, regulation, education, and enforcement. In addition, the Bureau of Real Estate actively seeks Certified Small Businesses and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) for procurement of goods and services.

California Department of Transportation

Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated, and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability. Caltrans issues special transportation permits, encroachment permits, outdoor advertising permits, legal truck access and routes, government contract bids, and more. DOT’s policy is to promote and enhance contracting opportunities with disadvantaged, small, and disabled veteran’s business enterprises (DVBE). It is also the Department’s policy to ensure nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. These policies were established to promote equality for all California businesses, in accordance with Federal and State Statutes and Regulations. They are committed to achieving these goals by continuing to be advocates for small businesses and keeping the community informed about the contracting opportunities within the State of California.

California Franchise Tax Board

The California Franchise Tax Board’s mission is to provide the services and information to help taxpayers file accurate and timely tax returns and pay the proper amount owed. They are responsible for administering two of California’s major tax programs: Personal Income Tax and Corporation Tax.

California Secretary of State

The Secretary of State’s office is dedicated to making government more transparent and accessible in the areas of elections, business, political campaigning, legislative advocacy, and historical treasures. The Business Programs Division supports California businesses by registering and authenticating business entities and trademarks and enabling secured creditors to protect their financial interests.

Checkout the California Secretary’s Business Portal for additional resources through the link above or click here for more information on starting a small business.

The State Bar of California

The State Bar is a public corporation within the judicial branch of government, serving as an arm of the California Supreme Court. Membership in The State Bar of California affords attorneys the right and privilege of practicing law in this state. The bar’s integrated network of functions and services protects the public and assists attorneys in meeting their professional obligations.

The Solo and Small Firm Section offers a membership which provides you the resources to grow your law firm and to accomplish your goals by providing what you want most: networking, education, and practice and skills development.

California State Board of Equalization

The State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a public agency charged with tax administration and fee collection in the state of California. Provided is information on starting or closing your business, seller permits, tax services, internet sales, and more.  The BOE also has a Small Business Center with an array of resources for your business.