California Code, Civil Code - CIV § 3372

(1) A person represents that such person is an “expert” within the meaning of this section if such person represents that he or she is a “financial planner,” “financial adviser,” “financial counselor,” “financial consultant” or an “investment adviser,” “investment counselor” or “investment consultant” or that such person renders “financial planning services,” “financial advisory services,” “financial counseling services,” “financial consulting services” or “investment advisory services,” “investment counseling services” or “investment consulting services” or makes substantially equivalent representations with respect to such person's business or qualifications.

(2) “Person” includes an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, an association, joint stock company, a trust or unincorporated association.

(1) Any person, when engaged in the purchase or sale of tangible personal property for his or her own account, and the agents and employees of such persons.

(2) Any person, and the agents and employees of such person, licensed under, exempted from licensing under, or not subject to licensing under by reason of an express exclusion from a definition contained in, the Commodity Exchange Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the California Commodity Law, the Corporate Securities Law of 1968, the Insurance Code, the Real Estate Law, or any state or federal law for the licensing and regulation of banks or savings and loan associations.