LEGISLATION
WE FIGHT FOR OUR MEMBER’S RIGHT TO PRACTICE INTERIOR DESIGN!!!
CALIFORNIA INTERIOR DESIGN LEGISLATION OVERVIEW
Certified Interior Designer’s Title Act – California
Title Act Vs. Practice Act
- A “practice” act regulates a group of actions or “practices” that can only be carried out by persons licensed to carry out those particular practices. For example: Only a licensed engineer can design a bridge. So a practice act regulates a group of practices, and then defines (through proof of education, experience, and testing) and subsequently “licenses” or “Registers” the group of individuals that are qualified to carry out those practices. So, if an interior designer tried to design a bridge, they are breaking the law because they are not a licensed engineer.
- A “title” act regulates a group of people that use a certain “title,” without affecting the ability of others in the industry to conduct business in their particular practice. But in order to be allowed to use that title, the state requires that those people prove that they have a certain level of experience and education relevant to the particular title being regulated. For example, in California, Interior Designers must meet the minimum qualifications set by the state to become a Certified Interior Designer.
- A title act regulates only a title and provides a list to the public of the “certified” (not licensed) individuals that meet the required qualifications to use that title. In California, anyone can refer to themselves as an “Interior Designer”, without any education or experience. Interior designers would be in violation of the Title Act ONLY if they use the title “Certified Interior Designer,” “Registered Interior Designer,” or “Licensed Interior Designer (or in current law, the title “interior architect” or any other currently regulated title) when conducting business as an interior designer.
CALIFORNIA INTERIOR DESIGN LEGISLATION:
- 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
All bills currently being tracked. Reports include calendars, and language, on measures moving through the Capitol.
ADVOCACY
CLCid ADVOCACY POLICY STATEMENT:
The California Legislative Coalition for Interior Designers (CLCid) advocates for policies that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public through responsible interior design.
CLCid works to support and strengthen the profession, ensuring all qualified interior designers are recognized and empowered to contribute to California’s built environment.
Through collaboration with designers, educators, industry partners, and the public, CLCid promotes fair, inclusive policies that uphold professional standards and foster a safe, sustainable, and innovative design industry.
POLICY ON LEGISLATION:
The California Legislative Coalition for Interior Designers (CLCid) monitors state legislation as part of its commitment to protecting consumers and supporting the interior design profession in California. The organization believes that effective policy making depends on collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to the public good. CLCid works to ensure that legislative efforts enhance and strengthen the profession rather than create division.
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.
SUNSET REVIEW PROCESS FOR INTERIOR DESIGN:
Joint Sunset Review Oversight Hearings
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 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.
