California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 19828

(a) Without limiting any privilege that is otherwise available under law, any communication or publication from, or concerning, an applicant, licensee, or registrant, in oral, written, or any other form, is absolutely privileged and so shall not form a basis for imposing liability for defamation or constitute a ground for recovery in any civil action, under any of the following circumstances:

(b) If any document or communication provided to the department or the commission contains any information that is privileged pursuant to Division 8 (commencing with Section 900) of the Evidence Code, or any other provision of law, that privilege is not waived or lost because the document or communication is disclosed to the department or the commission or to any of their agents or employees.

(c) The department, the commission, and their agents and employees shall not release or disclose any information, documents, or communications provided by an applicant, licensee, or other person, that are privileged pursuant to Division 8 (commencing with Section 900) of the Evidence Code, or any other provision of law, without the prior written consent of the holder of the privilege, or pursuant to lawful court order after timely notice of the proceedings has been given to the holder of the privilege. An application to a court for an order requiring the department or the commission to release any information declared by law to be confidential shall be made only upon motion made in writing on not less than 10-business days' notice to the department or the commission, and to all persons who may be affected by the entry of the order.