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2. WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNERS?
(B&P Code Section 5801)
A Certified Interior Designer must have graduated from:
a. A four
or five year accredited interior design program and have a minimum of two years experience, or
b.
A three year accredited interior design program and have a minimum of three years experience, or
c.
A two year accredited interior design program and have a minimum of four years of experience, or;
d.
Have a combination of interior design education and experience for a minimum total of eight years.
Starting in 2009 they must pass the IDEX® California examination specifically developed for certification based upon the California Building Code, Title 24, California laws and regulations. Prior to 2009 they were required to pass the California Codes and Regulations Exam (CCRE) and one of the three national interior design examinations.
3. WHO MAY REFER TO HIMSELF OR HERSELF AS A CERTIFIED DESIGNER?
(B&P Code Section 5812 & 5804)
Only persons who have met the education, experience and examination
requirements and have been certified by the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) may refer to themselves as a Certified Interior Designer.
The title "Certified
Interior Designer" is protected by law (B&P Section 17200) and it is considered an "unfair business practice" for any person to represent himself or herself as such unless they have
complied with Section 5800.
4. HOW WILL THE CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNER BE IDENTIFIED?
(B&P Code Section 5802)
Each Certified Interior Designer will affix a stamp and a wet signature to all
drawings, specifications or documents prepared for submissions, as specified in Section 5801. All documents shall be identified as interior design documents, which are not architectural nor engineering
documents.
5. ARE LICENSED ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS THE ONLY DESIGN
PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN SUBMIT CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR PLAN REVIEW?
(B&P Code Section 5805)
No. The building official is authorized to recognize the Certified Interior
Designer's drawings and documents. For plan check and acceptance, the building official shall reference the California Building Code.
6. MAY A CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNER ACT AS A GENERAL
CONTRACTOR AND HIRE SUBCONTRACTORS FOR PROJECTS?
(B&P Code Section 5803)
No. The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) is a
private nonprofit corporation and is responsible for certifying interior designers. The certification process in California is a public private "partnership", as directed by the Business and
Professions Code Section 5800.
7. ARE CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNERS STATE CERTIFIED?
(B&P Code Section 5804 and Section 5538)
No. The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) is a
private nonprofit corporation and is responsible for certifying interior designers. The certification process in California is a public private "partnership", as directed by the Business and
Professions Code Section 5800.
8. DOES THE INTERIOR DESIGN CERTIFICATION LAW PRECLUDE
ANYONE FROM CALLING THEMSELVES AN "INTERIOR DESIGNER"?
Anyone may use the term "interior designer". However, their
qualifications for professional practice are unknown. If they are not a Certified Interior Designer they may not have the ability to protect health, safety and welfare of the public.
9. WHAT MAY A CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNER DESIGN?
(B&P Code Section 5800 and Section 5538)
A Certified Interior Designer may design any type of nonstructural or
nonseismic interior spaces consistent with Section 5800 and Section 5538. They may engage in the programming, planning, designing and documenting the construction and installation of nonstructural or
nonseismic elements, within the interior spaces of a building.
10. WHAT ARE THE MEANING OF THE TERMS
"NONSTRUCTURAL” AND "NONSEISMIC”?
"Nonstructural” means interior elements that are non-load bearing. It
excludes the structural grid system supporting a building. "Nonseismic" means interior elements that do not assist in the seismic bracing of a building's structural system.
Common
nonstructural items include ceiling and partition systems. These components employ normal and typical bracing conventions and do not assist in the structural integrity of a building.
11. CAN A CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNER DESIGN, PLAN OR
PREPARE INSTRUMENTS OF SERVICE FOR STOREFRONTS OR INTERIOR ALTERATIONS?
(B&P Code Sections 6745 and 5538)
Yes. Section 6745 allows anyone to perform these services "...provided
such alterations do not affect the structural safety of the building". Section 5538 was amended in 1990 to reflect similar intent.
12. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CHANGE IN LANGUAGE
REGARDING SECTION 5538, AND HOW DOES IT RELATE TO SECTION 5805 OR CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNERS?
The language "...including but not limited to structural or seismic
components" as elements of building safety in Section 5538 was removed. Certified Interior Designers are only restricted by seismic and structural considerations when planning interior alterations.
Section 5805 affirms the legislative intent of opening the plan check process to qualified individuals and refers to compliance with the California Building Standards Code as the approved criteria.
13. MAY CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNERS DESIGN HANDICAP
ACCESS SYSTEMS?
Yes. Certified Interior Designers are required to pass a building and barrier
free codes exam to demonstrate proficiency in handicap access requirements. They are recognized by Section 5800(a) to have "...demonstrated by means of education, experience and examination the
competency to protect and enhance the health, safety and welfare of the public".
14. MAY CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNER PLANS
INCLUDE HORIZONTAL EXITING SYSTEMS?
Yes. Certified Interior Designers are the only professionals in the
construction industry who have been specifically tested on building and barrier free codes. They also have education and experience to work with occupancy, exiting and life safety requirements for
interior spaces.
15. MAY CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNER PLANS
INCLUDE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS SUCH AS AN INTERCONNECTING STAIR?
Yes, if the structural elements have been prepared and stamped by a licensed
structural engineer or architect.
16. MAY CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNER PLANS INCLUDE
MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL DRAWINGS?
Yes, if the mechanical and electrical elements have been prepared and stamped
by a licensed mechanical or electrical engineer or architect.
17. HOW CAN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT CHECK VALID CERTIFICATES?
Plan checkers or building officials can go online to www.ccidc.org and click on "Verify a CID's Status" in the left hand column on the CCIDC home page. They can also call CCIDC at (760) 761-4734 for verification over the phone.
18. HOW WILL THE CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNER PROVIDE THEIR
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO BUILDING DEPARTMENTS?
Their number will be written on the Plan Application in the space that requests
a designer "license" number. Their certification number is also included within the stamp.
19. WHAT DOES THE STAMP LOOK LIKE?
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