Cal. Health & Saf. Code § 1569.151
Upon receipt of an application to operate a residential care facility for the elderly from an applicant who is also applying or intends to apply for a permit to sell deposit subscriptions on life care contracts pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1770), the department shall review the application for licensure to determine the applicant's ability and intent to meet all statutory and regulatory requirements for a residential care facility for the elderly.
Upon determination that the applicant has provided satisfactory evidence of ability and intent, the department shall issue a preliminary approval for licensure, for purposes of the applicant obtaining a permit to sell deposit subscriptions for life care contracts. Preliminary approval does not guarantee that a license will be issued by the department.
Ca. Health and Saf. Code § 1569.151