California Council For Interior Design Certification
CCIDC – The California Council for Interior Design Certification, administers the Certified Interior Designer Title Act to protect the health, safety and welfare of consumers by establishing and implementing professional standards and educational requirements, ensuring competence through examination, and compliance with professional standards and our code of ethics.
The California Certified Interior Designer’s Title Act | California Business and Professions Code, Section 5800 – 5812.
Accepting Applications for CCIDC Board Members
The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) is currently preparing for the next cycle of board appointments. Serving on the CCIDC Board of Directors is a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement and oversight of the interior design profession in California.
Upcoming Board Position Availability:
Public Director | 2 Positions Available
Public Directors are appointed to represent the interests of the general public in all matters brought before the CCIDC Board. As independent members of the board, Public Directors must not be professionally associated with or possess expertise in the interior design, architecture, construction, building, or furniture industries. Their impartiality ensures that board decisions reflect a balanced consideration of public welfare, consumer protection, and ethical oversight.
Residential Director
The Residential Director is a Certified Interior Designer whose professional focus is primarily in residential interior design. This individual brings sector-specific insight to the board, representing the interests, challenges, and innovations unique to residential practice. The Residential Director plays a critical role in ensuring that the needs and perspectives of residential interior designers are reflected in the board’s decision-making, policies, and outreach efforts.
Section 3.03. Any person eligible for the Board of Directors under Article III of these By-laws is qualified for the Board of Directors only after such a person has satisfied that, if such person be a corporation, that the corporation is in good standing; and that if such person be a natural person, that such person is of good moral character and in sympathy with the objectives of CCIDC, Inc. All Directors shall be residents of California. Except for the Public Directors, all Directors must further be qualified as Certified Interior Designers (CIDs) as provided in Article II of these By-laws.
Quick Links
Certification Facts
No! Since 1991 California has had a Title Act, written into the California Business & Professions Code.
By law, Certified Interior Designers can stamp and submit non-structural/non-seismic plans for review.
As written in Section 5800 of the California Business and Professions Code: An “interior design organization” means the California Council for Interior Design Certification (council), a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code, and consists of Certified Interior Designers whose governing board includes representatives of the public.
CCIDC, like other State and Certification Boards, has governmental oversight and is required to go through the Sunset Review Process.
Join Us to Make a Difference in The Interior Design Profession!
Here are some ways you can get involved and be a positive change for the Interior Design profession in California.
Advocacy Committee Purpose & Mission
- Purpose & Mission
- Primary Mission:
To monitor legislation and regulatory activity that may affect the interior design profession in California. - Secondary Mission:
To educate Certified Interior Designers (CIDs) about existing laws and proposed legislative changes, and to support efforts that strengthen the Certified Interior Designer’s Title Act through allowable advocacy activities.
Alignment:
Engage California CIDs in constructive dialogue, while ensuring CCIDC maintains compliance with its 501(c)(3) status. - Primary Mission:
The Advocacy Committee meets quarterly via ZOOM, the 1st Thursday of the month 3-5PM Pacific Time.
To join the Advocacy Committee: APPLY HERE
CCIDC Advocacy Committee Meeting Date: Next Meeting: February 5, 2026.
Advocacy Committee Meeting AGENDA (to be posted at a later date)
Education Committee Purpose & Mission
-
- Primary Mission:
To promote high standards in interior design education in California by engaging educators, students, and Certified Interior Designers (CIDs). - Secondary Mission:
To increase awareness of the Certified Interior Designers Title Act, provide resources for students preparing to enter the profession, ensure CIDs have access to meaningful continuing education opportunities, and help maintain the relevance of the IDEX® California Exam. - Alignment:
This committee supports CCIDC’s nonprofit purpose of advancing public awareness, consumer protection, and professional development through education.
- Primary Mission:
The Education Committee meets quarterly via ZOOM, the 1st Wednesday of the month 3-5PM Pacific Time.
To join the Education Committee: APPLY HERE
CCIDC Education Committee Meeting Date: Next Meeting: February 4, 2026.
Advocacy Committee Meeting AGENDA (to be posted at a later date)
Marketing Committee Purpose & Mission
- Primary Mission:
To promote awareness and understanding of the Certified Interior Designers Title Act by creating and delivering clear, consistent, and educational messaging. - Secondary Mission:
To provide outreach and resources that support the work of Certified Interior Designers (CIDs), inform design professionals, educate building departments/jurisdictions, and engage the public.
Alignment:
The committee supports CCIDC’s mission of educating stakeholders and protecting consumers through awareness of Certified Interior Designers’ professional qualifications and legal rights.
The Marketing Committee meets quarterly via ZOOM, the 1st Tuesday of the month 3-5PM Pacific Time.
To join the Marketing Committee: APPLY HERE
CCIDC Marketing Committee Meeting Date: Next Meeting: February 3, 2026.
Marketing Committee Meeting AGENDA (to be posted at a later date)
All meetings open to the public.
Master the Art of Marketing Yourself
Spread the Word!
- Market yourself as a CID, you’ve earned it!
- CIDs have the 4E‘s (per state guidelines)
- Education (Minimum of 40 Core Units)
- Experience (2-8 Years Minimum)
- Examination (IDEX® California, the only interior design exam that tests on California Codes and Regulations)
- Ethics (CIDs are held to a strict Code of Ethics.)
- In other words, CIDs have achieved the highest level of recognition for the Interior Design profession in California!
You Earned the Title CID…
Now Use It!
- You have been conferred with the title Certified Interior Designer or CID, the only title for interior designers recognized by the state of California, as written into law (California Business and Professions Code, Section 5800 – 5812).
- You are NOT a CCIDC nor a member of CCIDC. CCIDC is the organization the administers the Certified Interior Designer Title Act in California, not a membership organization or club.
- You are a Certified Interior Designer in California, you may add “in the State of California” or “California” after your certification number.
- You can add the initials of any professional interior design organization (AIA, ASID, IDS, IFDA, IIDA, NKBA, ETC.) you are a member of after your CID appellation/number.
- Under California law, through the Certified Interior Designer Title Act (CA BPC 5812) it is unfair business practice and a misdemeanor to use the title Certified Interior Designer or “CID” unless you have complied with the requirements of the law and are a CID in good standing.
- Your Name, Certified Interior Designer
- Your Name, Certified Interior Designer #00000
- Your Name, CID
- Your Name, CID #00000
IDEX® California Exam
CCIDC accepts application 365 days per year
Apply today for the IDEX® Exam!
Application Packets are due on or before March 1st for the Spring IDEX® Exam!
Retest fees are also due on or before March 1st to retake the IDEX® Exam in the Spring.
Application Packets are due on or before August 1st for the Fall IDEX® Exam!
Retest fees are also due on or before August 1st to retake the IDEX® Exam in the Fall.
The IDEX® California Exam
A comprehensive Interior Design Exam:
- Only Interior Design Exam That Tests on California Codes
- Current Codes/Regulations
- 11 Domains Covering both Commercial and Residential Design
- California Codes & Regulations
- Occupancy Classification
- Types of Construction
- Fire Protection Requirements
- Means of Egress
- Accessibility
- Building Systems
- Miscellaneous Code Provisions
- Business Practices & Ethics
- Legal Requirements and Responsibilities
- Professional Practice
- Ethics
- Administration
- Design Standards
- Design Standards
- Interior Finishes
- California Codes & Regulations
- Code Related Questions Created With the International Codes Council (ICC)
- Free Study Guide Available!
State of California Resources
