California Code, Penal Code - PEN § 26205

(a) Unless otherwise specified in subdivision (b), the licensing authority shall give written notice to the applicant indicating if the license under this chapter is approved or denied. The licensing authority shall give this notice within 120 days of receiving the completed application for a new license, or 30 days after receipt of the information and report from the Department of Justice described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 26185, whichever is later.The licensing authority shall give this notice within 120 days of receiving the completed application for a license renewal.

(b) In determining whether to approve or deny an application for a new license or a license renewal the licensing authority shall apply the statutory requirements in effect as of the date the licensing authority received the completed application for a new license or a license renewal, except for the requirements in former paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Sections 26150, 26155, and 26170. For applications for a new license submitted prior to the effective date of the act that added this subdivision, the licensing authority shall give written notice to the applicant indicating if the license under this chapter is approved or denied within 120 days of receiving the completed application, or 30 days after receipt of the information and report from the Department of Justice described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 26185, whichever is later.

(c) If the license is denied, the notice shall state which requirement was not satisfied.