Six years ago, I opposed Governor Brown's reorganization plan that, among other things, resulted in the creation of the Bureau of Real Estate within the Department of Consumer Affairs:

"Although the DRE issues professional licenses, it is fundamentally a business regulatory department that regulates an industry with an enormous impact on California's economy.  The activities of its licensees, such as real estate lending and escrow services, have much more in common with the Department of Corporations than The Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings, and Thermal Insulation."

Slowly the pendulum seems to be swinging back.  As of July 1, 2018, the Bureau of Real Estate became the Department of Real Estate.  As a result of legislation enacted last year, SB 173 (Dodd), the Department is no longer an ingredient in the salmagundi overseen by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

According to the Department, "telephone, email and website contacts will remain the same".  In addition, licensees are not be required to change their business cards or marketing materials to reflect the Department's new name, as long as their license numbers remain on those materials.