122370.
The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this chapter:(a) “Council” means the California Pet Grooming Council.
(b) “Pet” means any dog or cat placed in the care of a pet groomer for grooming or styling.
(c) “Pet bather or brusher” means an individual who solely bathes and brushes a pet for compensation.
(d) “Pet groomer” means an individual who bathes, brushes, clips, or styles a pet,
trims a pet’s nails, or provides anal gland expression, for compensation.
(e) “Pet grooming” means the act of bathing, brushing, clipping, or styling a pet, trimming a pet’s nails, or providing anal gland expression.
(f) “Pet grooming facility” means a commercial establishment where a pet may be bathed, brushed, clipped, or styled.
122371.
(a) The California Pet Grooming Council shall be created and shall be a nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code and Section 23701 or Section 23701d of the Revenue and Taxation Code. The council may commence activities after submitting a request to the Internal Revenue Service and an application or determination letter or ruling to the Franchise Tax Board seeking this exemption. The council shall have the responsibilities and duties set forth in this chapter. The council may take any reasonable actions to carry out the responsibilities and duties set forth in this chapter, including, but not limited to, hiring staff and entering into contracts.(b) (1) The council shall be composed of the following members:
(A) Two members One member from Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) associations, one from northern California, and one from southern California, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(B) One member selected by each state or nationwide pet specialty retailer that provides pet grooming services, with gross annual sales exceeding one hundred
fifty million dollars ($150,000,000), unless the entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(C) One member selected by the State Humane Association of California, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(D)One member selected by the Director of Consumer Affairs, unless he or she chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(E)One member selected by the Veterinary Medical Board, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(F)
(D) One member selected by the California Animal Control Directors Association, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(G)Two members
(E) One member selected by the National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc., unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(H)One member
(F) Two members selected by the State Bar of California who has
have animal law experience and who has have been nominated by a fellow animal law attorney, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(I)
(G) Two members selected by the World Pet Association, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(J)
(H) One member who is a licensed veterinarian selected by the California Veterinary Medical Association.
(K)
(I) One member selected by the International Professional Groomers, Inc., unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(L)One member selected by the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(M)
(J) One member selected by the Northern California Professional Groomers Association, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(N)
(K) One member selected by the Southern California Professional Groomers Association, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection.
(2) The council’s bylaws shall establish a process for appointing other
professional members as determined by the council, including two members who represent pet groomers who own or operate independent facilities and are not affiliated with a pet specialty retailer described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) or another retailer of comparable size.
(3) The initial members of the council shall establish the council, initiate the request for tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service and the Franchise Tax Board, and solicit input from the pet grooming community concerning the operations of the council. The initial members of the council, in their discretion, may immediately undertake to issue the certificates authorized by this chapter after adopting the necessary bylaws or other rules, or may establish by adoption of bylaws the permanent governing structure prior to issuing certificates.
(c) The council shall establish fees reasonably related to the cost of providing services and carrying out its ongoing responsibilities and duties. Initial and renewal fees shall be established by the council annually
not exceed forty dollars ($40) for a two-year period.
(d) The meetings of the council shall be subject to the rules of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
122372.
(a) The council shall issue a certificate under this chapter to an applicant who satisfies the requirements of this chapter.(b) In order to obtain certification as a pet groomer, an applicant shall submit a written application and shall provide the council with satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all of the following requirements:
(1) The applicant is 18 years of age or older.
(2) The applicant has successfully completed a curriculum, approved by the council, in pet grooming and related subjects, totaling a minimum of 300 hours, that
incorporates appropriate school assessment of student knowledge and skills and that provides a minimum of 1,000 hours of hands-on experience in pet grooming; or has a minimum of 1,000 hours of hands-on experience in pet grooming and successfully passes a pet grooming certification test established by the council and has had hands-on experience in pet grooming, the aggregate of which shall equal at least 900 hours. The hands-on portion of that requirement shall equal at least 60 percent of the 900 hours.
(3) All fees required by the council have been paid.
(c) The council shall issue a certificate to an applicant who meets the qualifications of this chapter and who holds a
current and valid registration, certification, or license from any other state whose requirements meet or exceed those defined within this chapter. The council shall have discretion to give credit for comparable academic work completed by an applicant in a program outside of California.
(d) An applicant applying for a pet bather and brusher certificate shall file with the council a written application provided by the council, showing to the satisfaction of the council that he or she meets both of the following requirements:
(1) The applicant is 18 years of age or older.
(2)Any of the following:
(A)The applicant has successfully completed a curriculum, approved by the council, in pet grooming and related subjects, totaling a minimum of 300 hours, that incorporates appropriate school assessment of student knowledge and skills.
(B)The applicant has a minimum of 300 hours of training under the
supervision of a certified pet groomer.
(C)The applicant has successfully completed a pet grooming certification test established by the council.
(e)Prior to the issuance of a certificate by the council, every applicant shall provide proof that he or she is insured against negligent acts associated with his or her activity as a pet groomer.
(2) The applicant has successfully completed a curriculum, approved by the council, that incorporates appropriate assessment of student knowledge and skills, and has had training
under the supervision of a certified pet bather and brusher or certified dog groomer, the aggregate of which shall equal at least 300 hours.
(f)
(e) Any certification issued under this chapter shall be subject to renewal every two years in a manner prescribed by the council, and shall expire unless renewed in that manner. The council may provide for the late renewal of a license expire in two years unless renewed.
122373.(a)The council may discipline a certificate holder by any, or a combination, of the following methods:
(1)Placing the certificate holder on probation.
(2)Suspending the certificate and the rights conferred by this article on a certificate holder for a period not to exceed one year.
(3)Revoking the certificate.
(4)Suspending or staying the disciplinary order, or portions of it, with or without conditions.
(5)Taking other
action as the council, as authorized by this article or its bylaws, deems proper.
(b)The council may issue an initial certificate on probation, with specific terms and conditions, to any applicant.
(c)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, if the council receives notice that a certificate holder has been arrested and charges have been filed by the appropriate prosecuting agency against the certificate holder alleging a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 597 of the Penal Code, the council shall take all of the following actions:
(A)Immediately suspend, on an interim basis, the certificate of that certificate holder.
(B)Notify
the certificate holder within 10 days at the address last filed with the council that the certificate has been suspended, and the reason for the suspension.
(C)Notify within 10 days any business that the council has in its records as employing the certificate holder that the certificate has been suspended.
(2)Upon notice to the council that the charges described in paragraph (1) have resulted in a conviction, the suspended certificate shall become subject to permanent revocation. The council shall provide notice to the certificate holder within 10 days that it has evidence of a valid record of conviction and that the certificate will be revoked unless the certificate holder provides evidence within 15 days that the conviction is either invalid or that the information is otherwise
erroneous.
(3)Upon notice that the charges have resulted in an acquittal, or have otherwise been dismissed prior to conviction, the certificate shall be immediately reinstated and the certificate holder and any business that received notice pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall be notified of the reinstatement within 10 days.
122373.
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the council may suspend or revoke a certification if it receives credible documentation that the certificate holder has been convicted of a violation of Section 597 of the Penal Code.(b) The council
shall have the ability to suspend or revoke a certificate upon evidence of gross negligence by a certificate holder.
122374.
(a) Upon the request of any law enforcement agency, the council shall provide information concerning a certificate holder, including, but not limited to, the current status of the certificate, any history of disciplinary actions taken against the certificate holder, the home and holder’s work addresses of the certificate holder, and any other information in the council’s possession that is necessary to verify facts relevant to an investigation being conducted by a law enforcement agency.(b) The council shall accept information provided by any law enforcement agency or any other representative of a local government agency. The council shall have the responsibility to review any information received and to take any actions authorized by this chapter that are warranted by that information.
122375.
It is a violation of this chapter for a certificate holder to commit, and the council may deny an application for a certificate or discipline a certificate holder or revoke or suspend a certificate for committing, any of the following:(a) Unprofessional conduct, including, but not limited to, denial of licensure, revocation, suspension, restriction, or any other disciplinary action against a certificate holder by another state or territory of the United States, by any other government agency, or by another
professional licensing board established under this division. A certified copy of the decision, order, or judgment shall be conclusive evidence of these actions.
(b) Procuring a certificate by fraud, misrepresentation, or
mistake.
(c)Violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abetting the violation of, or conspiring to violate, any provision or term of this chapter or any rule or bylaw adopted by the council.
(d)
(c) Conviction of any felony involving animal cruelty or abuse to
animals, or conviction of a misdemeanor that is substantially related to Section 597 of the Penal Code, in which event the record of the conviction shall be conclusive evidence of the crime.
(e)Impersonating an applicant or acting as a proxy for an applicant in any examination referred to under this chapter for the issuance of a certificate.
(d) Committing an act of gross negligence while pets are in the certificate holder’s care.
(f)
(e) Committing any fraudulent, dishonest, or corrupt act that is substantially related to the qualifications or duties of a certificate
holder.
122376.
(a) No certificate holder or certificate applicant may be disciplined or denied a certificate, or have his or her certificate suspended or revoked, pursuant to Section 122375 except according to procedures satisfying the requirements of this section. A denial or discipline not in accord with this section or subdivision (c) of Section 122373 shall be void and without effect.(b) Any denial of a certificate to an applicant or any discipline imposed on a certificate holder shall be done in good faith and in a
fair and reasonable manner. Any procedure that conforms to the requirements of subdivision (c) is fair and reasonable, but a court may also find other procedures to be fair and reasonable when the full circumstances of the certificate denial or certificate holder discipline are considered.
(c) A procedure is fair and reasonable when the procedures in subdivision (c) of Section 122373 are followed, or if all of the following apply:
(1) The procedure has been set forth in the articles or bylaws, or copies of the procedure are sent annually to all the members as required by the articles or bylaws.
(2) The procedure provides for the giving of 15 days’ prior notice of the denial or discipline and the reasons therefor.
(3) The procedure provides an opportunity for the certificate applicant or certificate holder to be heard, orally or in writing, not less than five days before the effective date of the denial or discipline by a person or body authorized to decide that the proposed denial or discipline not take place.
(d) Any notice required under this section may be given by any method reasonably calculated to provide actual notice. Any notice given by mail must be given by first-class or certified mail sent to the last address of the certificate applicant or certificate holder shown on the council’s records.
(e) Any action challenging a certificate denial or certificate holder discipline, including any claim alleging defective notice, shall
be commenced within one year after the date of the certificate denial or certificate holder discipline. If the action is successful, the court may order any relief, including reinstatement, that it finds equitable under the circumstances.
(f) This section governs only the procedures for certificate denial or certificate holder discipline, suspension, or revocation and not the substantive grounds therefor. A certificate denial or certificate holder discipline, suspension, or revocation based upon substantive
grounds that violates contractual or other rights of the member or is otherwise unlawful is not made valid by compliance with this section.
(g) The council shall be sued only in the venue of its principal office.
122377.It shall be the responsibility of any certificate holder to notify the council of his or her home address, as well as the address of any business establishment where he or she regularly works as a pet groomer or pet bather and brusher, whether as an employee or as an independent contractor. A certificate holder shall notify the council within 30 days of changing either his or her home address or the address of the business establishment where he or she regularly works as a pet groomer or pet bather and brusher.
122377.
(a) The Council shall establish a board of review to review cases of gross negligence by certificate holders that come to the attention of the council.
(b) The council shall create an online registry of certificate holders to enable a consumer to determine whether his or her pet groomer or pet bather and brusher is certified.
122378.
A certificate holder shall include the name under which he or she is certified and his or her certificate number in any and all advertising and shall display his or her certificate at his or her place of business.122379.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 122372, the council may grant a pet groomer or a pet bather and brusher certificate to any person who applies on or after January 1, 2013, with one documentation demonstrating that the person applying for certification has performed a minimum of 900 hours of pet grooming services to members of the public for compensation in any state. For purposes of this subdivision, evidence of pet grooming services performed shall include either of the following:(1)A current valid pet grooming permit or license from a California city, county, or city and county and documentation evidencing that the person has provided at least 500 hours of pet grooming services to members of the public for compensation.
(2)Documentation evidencing that the person has completed at least a 100-hour pet grooming curriculum and has provided at least 500 hours of pet grooming services to
members of the public for compensation. For purposes of this subdivision, evidence of practice shall include either of the following:
(A)A W-2 form or
(1) An employer’s affidavit containing the dates of the applicant’s employment.
(B)
(2) Tax returns indicating self-employment as a pet
groomer, pet bather and brusher, or any other title that may demonstrate experience in the field of pet grooming.
(b) After reviewing the information submitted under subdivision (a), the council may require additional information necessary to enable it to determine whether to issue a certificate.
(c)(1)A person applying for a pet groomer certificate on or after
January 1, 2013, who meets the educational requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but who has not completed the required number of practice hours prior to submitting an application pursuant to this section, may apply for a conditional certificate.
(2)An applicant for a conditional certificate shall, within five years of being issued the conditional certificate, be required to complete at least 30 hours of additional education per year from schools or courses described in paragraph (5) until he or she has completed a total of at least 300 hours of education, which may include hours previously completed in a pet grooming curriculum described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(3)Upon successful completion of the requirements of this subdivision, the council shall issue a
certificate to the person that is not conditional.
(4)A conditional certificate issued to any person pursuant to this subdivision shall immediately be nullified, without need for further action by the council, if the time period specified in paragraph (2) expires without proof of completion of the requirements having been filed with the council.
(5)Any additional education required by this section may be completed through any of the following:
(A)A curriculum approved by the council.
(B)A provider approved by, or registered with, the Department of Consumer Affairs.
(d)Nothing in this
section shall preclude the council from exercising any power or authority conferred by this article with respect to a conditional certificate holder.
122380.
(a) It is an unfair business practice for any person to advertise or put out any sign or card or other device, or to represent to the public through any print or electronic media, that he or she is certified, registered, or licensed by a governmental agency as a pet groomer or pet bather and brusher.(b) It is an unfair business practice for any person to hold himself or herself out as, or use the title of, “certified pet groomer” or “certified pet brusher and bather” or to use any other term such as “licensed” or “registered” that implies or suggests that the person is certified as a pet
groomer or a pet bather and brusher without meeting the requirements of this chapter.
(c) The superior court in and for the county in which any person acts as a pet groomer in violation of the provisions of this chapter may, upon a petition by any person, issue an injunction or other appropriate order restraining the conduct. The proceedings under this subdivision shall be governed by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
122381.
(a) Every application for admission to examination and certification shall be in writing, on forms prepared and furnished by the council.(b) Each application shall be accompanied by the required fee, and shall contain proof of the qualifications of the applicant for examination and certification. It shall be verified by the oath of the applicant. Every applicant shall, as a condition of admittance to the examination facility, present satisfactory proof of identification. Satisfactory proof of identification shall be in the form of a valid, unexpired driver’s license or identification card, containing the photograph of the person to whom it was issued, issued
by any state, federal, or other governmental entity.
122382.(a)The examination of applicants for certification shall include both a practical demonstration and a written test and shall embrace the subjects typically taught in a curriculum approved by the council.
(b)The examination shall not be confined to any particular system or method. It shall be consistent in both practical and technical requirements, and of sufficient thoroughness to satisfy the board as to the applicant’s skill in, and knowledge of, the practice of the occupation for which a certificate is sought.
(c)The scope of examinations shall be consistent with the definition of the activities
licensed under this chapter, and shall be as the council, by regulation, may require to protect the health and safety of consumers of the services provided by certificate holders.
(d)The council’s examinations shall be limited to job-related questions, activities, and practical services. The examinations may include other demonstrations and tests as the council, in its discretion, may require.
122383.All examinations shall be prepared by or under the direction of the council. The council shall establish standards and procedures governing administration and grading and shall exercise supervision as may be necessary to ensure compliance therewith.
122384.Any person who fails the pet groomer’s certification examination shall be eligible to retake the examination upon compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
122385.The council may contract or otherwise arrange for reasonably required physical accommodations and facilities to conduct examinations.
122386.
The form and content of a certificate issued by the council shall be determined by the council.122387.
The council shall create a record of those certified pursuant to this chapter. The record shall include a certificate holder’s first and last name, license number, and a record of any disciplinary action taken against the licensee, including the suspension or revocation of the certificate holder’s pet grooming certification.122388.
Certificates issued under this chapter, unless specifically excepted, shall be issued for a two-year period and shall expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance by the council.122389.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a certificate that has expired for failure of the certificate holder to renew within the time fixed by this chapter may be renewed at any time within five years following its expiration upon application and payment of all accrued and unpaid renewal fees, delinquency fees, and fines. Renewal under this section shall be effective on the date on which the application is filed, or on the date on which the accrued renewal fees, delinquency fees, or fines are paid, if any, whichever occurs last. If so renewed, the certificate shall continue in effect through the expiration date provided in this chapter which next occurs
following the effective date of the renewal, when it shall expire if it is not again renewed.122390.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a certificate which has not been renewed within five years following its expiration shall be deemed canceled and may not be renewed, restored, reinstated, or reissued thereafter. The holder of the canceled certificate may obtain a new certificate only by submitting an application, and paying all required fees, and qualifying for and passing the examination that would be required as
if the holder were applying for the certificate for the first time.122391.
A suspended certificate is subject to expiration and shall be renewed by the certificate holder as provided in this chapter, but that renewal does not entitle the certificate holder, while the certificate remains suspended and before it is reinstated, to engage in the pet grooming activity, or in any other activity or conduct in violation of the order or judgment by which the certificate was suspended represent himself or herself as being certified pursuant to this chapter.122392.
A revoked certificate is subject to expiration as provided in this chapter, but may not be renewed. If it is reinstated pursuant to an administrative or court proceeding after its expiration, the certificate holder, as a condition precedent to its reinstatement, shall pay a reinstatement fee in an amount, no fee shall be required. In all other instances, a reinstatement fee, not to exceed forty dollars ($40), may be required to receive a new certificate, as established by the council pursuant to Section 122393.122393.
(a) The council shall establish a schedule of fees payable under this chapter, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(1)Application and examination fees.
(2)
(1) Initial certification fees not to exceed forty
dollars ($40).
(3)Renewal fees.
(2) Certification renewal fees not to exceed twenty dollars ($20).
(4)
(3) Reinstatement fees not to exceed forty dollars ($40).
(5)Delinquency fees.
(6)
(4) Duplicate certificate fees not to exceed twenty dollars ($20).
(7)Processing fee, not to exceed twenty dollars ($20) to cover the costs of processing the application and certificate.
(b) No fee established pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be in excess of the costs to the council of administering the activity covered by that fee.
122394.
This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2017, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2017, deletes or extends that date.