A license is necessary for medical professionals and includes activities such as diagnosing, treating, operating, or prescribing for a medical condition (whether physical or mental), practicing or advertising as a practitioner for healing an illness –all while not holding a medical license to do. Other activities included in the code involve even attempting to practice medicine as well as aiding someone else to do the aforementioned activities while knowing they do not hold a license.
Penalties will apply even if the medical advice, practice, treatment, etc. was done in good faith. There is not a burden for the prosecution to prove that a victim was harmed or that the individual without a license intended to do harm. If someone not holding a California license is found to be doing the aforementioned activities, even to help others, they would be charged. If the accused is found guilty, they face a wobbler offense. Based on the discretion of the prosecutor (and on the case), a misdemeanor or felony offense will apply. The punishment for a felony is up to three years in a California jail and a fine, while a misdemeanor can require up to one year in jail and a fine.