LEGISLATION

ADVOCACY

WE OPPOSE THE BIFURCATION OF INTERIOR DESIGN INTO COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PRACTICE AREAS

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 8,500 interior designers in California, across all practice areas.

Misguided Legislation is being proposed by a very small percentage of California's interior designers, backed by an international industry association whose membership consists of national multi-disciplinary corporate firms and manufacturers to bifurcate interior designers into "commercial" and "residential" practice areas. This legislation is being pushed by large corporate firms and manufacturers to gain a market advantage over the rest of the interior design community and would create an unfair advantage, favoring large national firms over California's interior designers.

An international association that represents large corporations is proposing to nullify the certification of over 1,600 CCIDC Certified Interior Designers in California. This would devastate the careers of many sole proprietors, small interior design firm owners and their employees. This is out of touch and would confuse the public.

We firmly believe that Interior Design is a separate profession from architecture.

we support the title act that is currently in place in california

Business and Professions Code – Section 5800 – 5812

The California Council For Interior Design Certification is authorized and mandated by the Business and Professions Code (5800-5812) to certify interior designers in California.

THERE IS NO PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

Every building, whether residential or commercial, is code-regulated. In fact, California has its own building code, which is more stringent than any other state.

CCIDC'S IDEX CALIFORNIA EXAM is the GOLDEN STANDARD, as it is the only interior design examination that tests on the California Building Code (Title 24). This examination is written in conjunction with the International Code Council (ICC) and nationally recognized psychometricians.

This international industry association has claimed that California's interior designers are not currently able to stamp their own drawings for commercial projects and practice independently of architects. This is false. CCIDC Certified Interior Designers (CID's) regularly pull permits for non-structural, non-seismic work with their CCIDC stamp. The CCIDC already has a commercial specialty examination for those who wish to prove their knowledge of the California Building Code (Title 24) for commercial projects.

We robustly support interior designers taking specialty examinations from national industry associations as they gain expertise in their careers, but these specialty exams are not sufficient for practice in California.

tIMELINE OF INTERIOR DESIGN LEGISLATION IN CALIFORNIA

SB-816 Interior Designers (2023)

SB-1437 Interior designers (2021-2022)

SB-1474 Business and professions.(2019-2020)

SB-547 Professions and Vocations: Weights and Measures.(2017-2018)

Senate Final History SB 153-Craven (1989-1990)

Report on Legislation and Oversight Hearings for the 1989-90 Legislative Session

LEGISLATIVE BILL REPORT

Check back regularly for updates.

our commitment to all interior designers in california

Protecting public health, safety, and welfare remains CLCid’s highest priority. This includes ensuring that consumers have access to qualified interior designers and that the credentialing process is fair, efficient, and consistent. CLCid opposes any legislation that would divide or weaken the profession, including measures that:

Fail to serve the best interests of consumers or the profession as a whole

Restrict the duties currently authorized for interior designers under California law

Create unnecessary or discriminatory barriers to entry

Limit qualified professionals’ ability to practice safely and effectively

Require interior designers to be subordinate to other professions, such as architecture, in performing their work

CLCid supports an inclusive and representative approach that reflects all California interior designers, including independent practitioners, small business owners, and Certified Interior Designers.

Through open communication, collaboration, and responsible leadership, CLCid promotes a unified and forward-looking vision for the profession. The organization remains committed to constructive advocacy that protects the public, supports a strong and independent profession, and ensures that qualified designers can continue to practice to the full extent allowed under California law.

What is the SUNSET REVIEW PROCESS FOR THE california council for interior design certificaton?

Every year, the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee hold joint sunset review hearings to look at how the boards and bureaus within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) are performing. These boards and bureaus are responsible for protecting consumers and the public by overseeing the professionals they license.

The sunset review process gives the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), the Legislature, and interested stakeholders a regular chance to review each board’s performance, discuss what’s working well, and suggest ways to improve. This review happens on a four-year cycle and was established by SB 2036 (McCorquodale, Chapter 908, Statutes of 1994) to ensure ongoing accountability and consumer protection.