If CalVCB denies your application or an expense, you have the right to appeal that decision. Filing an appeal means you are asking the Board to reevaluate the denial.

On this page:

• Filing an appeal
• Type and date of hearing
• Preparing for the hearing
• During the hearing
• After the hearing

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Filing an appeal

If CalVCB denies your application or expense, we will send you a letter. If you want to appeal the decision, you must file an appeal in writing within 45 days of this notice.

You may use the CalVCB appeal form or write a letter. Explain why CalVCB should approve the application or expense. Include any supporting documentation. Then sign, date, and mail the form or letter to:

CalVCB
Attn: Appeals Unit
P.O. Box 350
Sacramento, CA 95812-0350

Type and date of hearing

The Appeals Unit will review the information, then decide if your hearing will be written or oral. CalVCB will inform you which hearing you will get in writing.

• If it is a written hearing:
  • You will have 30 days to send materials that show why we should approve the application or expense. 
  • A hearing officer will review the materials you send.
• If it is an oral hearing:
  • CalVCB will tell you, in writing, the date and time of the hearing. 
  • CalVCB conducts most hearings over the phone. But you may request an in-person hearing or a videoconference.

If you want a different hearing date, you must contact CalVCB in writing and give a reason for the change. You must show good cause to change a hearing date.

Preparing for the hearing

To prepare for the hearing, you should:

• Read the letter sent to you by the Appeals Unit.
• Gather any more information that will help your appeal.
• Be ready to discuss why you think the original recommendation should be changed.
• Have documents, witnesses, or supporting information available during the hearing.
• Allow at least 60 minutes of uninterrupted time for your hearing.

Make sure you are available at the time of your hearing. If you are not, we will take action without hearing from you.

During the hearing

A hearing officer will conduct the hearing on behalf of the Board. The hearing is informal, but we will ask you and your witnesses to swear the statements given are true. CalVCB records the hearings and saves the testimony as part of the record.

• The hearing officer may ask questions.
• You will get to explain why you believe CalVCB should approve the application or expense.
• You may present witnesses who can give information to support the appeal.
• A representative may also attend the hearing with you or on your behalf.

After the hearing

The hearing officer will write a proposed decision, then present it to the Board.

The Board may:

• Accept the proposed decision,
• Change it,
• Reject it, or
• Send it back to the hearing officer for further review.

Once the Board makes a decision, CalVCB will send you a copy of it.