Section 1171 Of Article 1. Issuance Of License From California Harbors And Navigation Code >> Division 5. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 1.

. (a) The board shall have the sole authority to determine the qualifications for obtaining a license as a pilot pursuant to this division, determine who shall have the license, and issue the license.
  (b) A person possessing a valid state pilot's license on January 1, 1985, is hereby licensed as if the license was granted by the board.