California’s small businesses drive innovation, create jobs, and strengthen local communities. The State offers a broad network of agencies and programs designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain their businesses. Whether you’re registering your company, navigating taxes, hiring staff, or accessing capital, these resources can help you every step of the way.
State Resources
Small Business and Workforce Resources
Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)
The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) supports economic growth by providing resources and support to the state’s 4.1 million small businesses, including non-profits and startups.
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) administers California's sales and use, fuel, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis taxes, as well as a variety of other taxes and fees that fund specific state programs.
- 📞(800) 400-7115
- 🔗cdtfa.ca.gov
Secretary of State Business Program Division
The Business Programs Division, the largest division of the Secretary of State's office, supports California Businesses by registering business entities and trademarks and enabling secured creditors to protect their financial interests.
- 📞(916) 653-6814
- 🔗https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, or GO-Biz, offers no-cost consultation to business owners for attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more.
Employment Training Panel (ETP)
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.
- 📞General information: (916) 737-4181
- 📞Central Office Main Line (Sacramento): (916) 737-4200
- 📞North Hollywood Regional Office: (747) 256-3430
- Contact for questions on your application or contract
- 🔗https://etp.ca.gov/
Additional State Agencies Supporting Business and Workforce Success
- Franchise Tax Board (FTB): Helps taxpayers file timely and accurate tax returns, and pay the correct amount to fund services important to Californians.
- 📞Customer service: (800) 852-5711
- 📞Tax practitioner hotline: (916) 845-7057
- Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA): Provides support services, oversight, and innovative solutions to boards and bureaus that regulate California professionals and vocations so that through this partnership all Californians are informed, empowered, and protected.
- Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (DFPI): The DFPI works to support a healthy and trusted financial marketplace in California and that innovation can exist alongside fair and honest business practices.
- Department of Industrial Relations (DIR): The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners and helps their employers comply with state labor laws.
- 🔗Resources for workers: https://dir.ca.gov/for_workers.html
- 🔗Resources for employers: https://dir.ca.gov/for_employers.html
- Contractors State License Board (CSLB): The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) protects California consumers by licensing and regulating the state's construction industry. CSLB was established in 1929 and today licenses about 285,000 contractors in 45 different classifications.
- 🔗List of resources: https://cslb.ca.gov/Resources.aspx
- California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA): The CDFA works to safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality, and sustainability.
- California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (CABC): The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control provides the highest level of equitable service and public safety to the people of the state through licensing, education, and enforcement.
- California Department of Insurance (CDI): The CDI is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry.
- 📞(800) 927-4357
- Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA): Ensures safe and fair workplaces, delivers critical worker benefits, and promotes good jobs for all through oversight of labor standards and worker protections, apprenticeship and job training programs, and labor law education for employers.
- 📞Mail line: (916) 653-9900
- 📞Cal/OSHA: (844) 522-6734
- 📞Labor law information: (833) 526-4636
- 📞Workers’ compensation info: (844) 522-6734
- 📞Taxpayer Assistance Center: (888) 745-3886
- California Department of Real Estate (DRE): Safeguards and promotes the public interests in real estate matters through licensure, regulation, education and enforcement.
- 📞(877) 373-4542
Local Resources
Small Business and Workforce Resources
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - Los Angeles
PCR SBDC provides solutions for small business owners through one-on-one advising, innovative workshops, and in-depth programs, at no cost.
- 📞(213) 674-2696
- 🔗https://pcrsbdc.org/
Additional State Agencies Supporting Business and Workforce Success
- The LA County Treasurer and Tax Collector (TTC): Administers the Business License Program (BLP), which allows businesses to conduct their activities. Over 7,000 businesses across 110 business activities are licensed by the TTC.
- 🔗General information: https://ttc.lacounty.gov/business-license-general-information/
- 🔗Know what license you need? Apply here: https://epicla.lacounty.gov/energov_prod/SelfService/#/applicationAssistant?sectionName=All&moduleId=10&categoryName=County%20of%20Los%20Angeles%20Business%20License&showTemplates=false
Chambers of Commerce
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of a broad spectrum of organizations across the private, non-profit, academic and public sector, including the business community, job creators, and innovators in the Los Angeles region.
- 📞(213) 580-7500
East Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
The East Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to strengthening and promoting the East L.A. business community.
Glendale Chamber of Commerce
The Glendale Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to serving the needs of business and improving the quality of life in the community.
- 📞(818) 240-7870
Other Local Chambers of Commerce in Los Angeles
Local Chambers of Commerce offer small business support and promotion, community events and resources for specific communities and neighborhoods.
- Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce: The Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce supports the community through neighborhood events and various advocacy efforts.
- Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce: The Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce develops, encourages, promotes and protects the commercial, professional, financial and general business interests in Eagle Rock.
- Echo Park Chamber of Commerce: The Echo Park Chamber of Commerce promotes economic growth & facilitates communication among Echo Park's businesses & the City of Los Angeles.
- El Sereno Chamber of Commerce: The El Sereno Chamber of Commerce is an organization that aims to foster a healthy and prosperous business environment in El Sereno. They strive to support local businesses and empower community members to achieve their full potential.
- Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce: The Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce provides services for businesses which are located in Lincoln Heights.
- Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce: The Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce is the unified voice for businesses in one of Los Angeles’ most creative and diverse communities. As a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business association, they bring together local entrepreneurs, artists, service providers, and innovators through impactful networking, community events, and member-to-member support.
