California Council For Interior Design Certification

CCIDC, Inc.

Protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public by administering the Certified Interior Designer Title Act.

California Certified Interior Designer’s Title Act

The California Certified Interior Designer’s Title Act is written into law: California Business and Professions Code, Section 5800 – 5812.

Quick Links

Q: Does California Have “Self” or “Private” Certification for Interior Design?
A: No! Since 1991 California has had a Title Act, written into the California Business & Professions Code.

Q: Is CCIDC a Private Company?
CCIDC is the Non-Profit Board that administers the Certified Interior Designer Title Act; with government oversight from the California Department of Consumer Affairs. CCIDC, like other State and Certification Boards is required to go through the Sunset Review Process.

You Earned the Title CID…
Now Use It!

Earning the Title Certified Interior Designer (CID) is a huge accomplishment!

Always use your title, it’s up to CIDs to use their title, not only as a marketing tool, CIDs promote the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public.

What You Need to Know About Using Your Title:

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.

Correct Title Uses:

Your Name, Certified Interior Designer
Your Name, Certified Interior Designer #00000
Your Name, CID
Your Name, CID #00000

Spread the Word! #ImACID

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!

Want 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.

Uniform Plan Submission Committee

This Committee is working to improve the ability for Certified Interior Designers to submit plans for Non-Structural/Non-Seismic plans to building departments in areas such as Los Angeles, San Jose & San Francisco without immediate requests for an Architect’s stamp. This Committee meets the second Tuesday of the month from 4-6PM PST (meetings not scheduled June – September).

If you are interested in joining this Committee, please APPLY HERE
To participate in the meeting, please fill out a committee application and REGISTER HERE in advance, for the meeting.
Uniform Plan Submission Committee Meeting Date: October 10, 2023 4-6PM PST
Uniform Plan Submission Committee Meeting AGENDA

CCIDC Marketing Committee

The purpose of this committee is to work with the Staff to create, communicate, deliver, and exchange offerings that spread the mission and name of CCIDC, Inc. to the Design Professionals, Students and the public. The Marketing Committee meets monthly via ZOOM, the 4th Friday of each month 3-5PM.

To join the Marketing Committee: APPLY HERE
To Register for the Marketing Committee ZOOM Meeting: REGISTER HERE
CCIDC Marketing Committee Meeting Date: October 27, 2023.
Marketing Committee Meeting AGENDA

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

This Committee develops strategic approaches to making CCIDC more accessible, equitable and inclusive.

To join this Committee APPLY HERE
To participate in the meeting, please fill out a committee application and REGISTER HERE in advance, for the meeting.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Meeting Date: October 26, 2023 4-6PM PST
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month, from 4-6PM Pacific Time
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Meeting AGENDA

Interior Design Education Committee

The Interior Design Education Committee creates and reviews Interior Design education strategies and works with educators to see them through to completion. The Interior Design Education Committee will ensure activities effectively develops the education requirements used to promote the interior design profession as well as CCIDC’s mission.

To join this Committee APPLY HERE
To participate in the meeting, please fill out a committee application and REGISTER HERE in advance, for the meeting.
Interior Design Education Committee Meeting Date: October 12, 2023 4-6PM PST
The Interior Design Education Committee Meetings will be held on the second Thursday of the month, from 4-6PM Pacific Time
Interior Design Education Committee Meeting AGENDA

All Meetings Are Open to the Public

IDEX® California Exam

The IDEX® California Exam has been revised and updated!

Revisions to Include:

Updated Questions in All Domains
Most Recent Codes/Regulations Used
Expanded from 3 Domains to 11 Domains
Code Related Questions Written/Revised by International Codes Council (ICC)
Updated Study Guide Now Available!

The Fall 2023 IDEX® Exam Registration Deadline has passed.
CCIDC accepts application 365 days per year, apply today for the Spring 2024 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.

Verify Certification of an Interior Designer

The only guarantee that the person you are hiring is qualified is to hire someone who is a “Certified Interior Designer or CID.” Certification is title act written in to the California Business and Professions Code and protected by law to prevent anyone using that title that has not complied with the law.

“Certified Interior Designer or CID” is qualified to prepare and submit nonstructural or nonseismic plans consistent with Sections 5805 and 5538 to local building departments that are of sufficient complexity so as to require the skills of a licensed contractor to implement them, and who engages in programming, planning, designing, and documenting the construction and installation of nonstructural or nonseismic elements, finishes and furnishings within the interior spaces of a building. CIDs, qualified through education, experience, examination and ethics, prove the competency to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

To verify if your designer is certified or check the status of a Certified Interior Designer, click the check mark icon above.

Learn How to Become a Certified Interior Designer

Why should you become a Certified Interior Designer (CID)?

California’s Certified Interior Designers Law is a Title Act..
It is the only legally recognized title for interior designers in California.
Only Certified Interior Designers have proven their education, experience, and passed an examination relevant to California.
Every Certified Interior Designer is required to sign and abide by the CCIDC Code of Ethics and Conduct when they apply, giving their promise of professionalism to their clients.
Interior design certification demonstrates a commitment to professional practice through education, experience and examination.
Greater knowledge decreases risk of legal liability.
Increased client confidence in your abilities.

For more information click on the light bulb icon above.

Hire a Local Certified Interior Designer - CID

Most people think all interior designers are licensed or certified; but this is not true. In California, anyone can use the title “interior designer”; “Certified Interior Designer” is the only legally recognized and protected title for interior designers in the state of California. A Certified Interior Designer is a competent design professional who may prepare and submit non-structural; non-seismic construction documents and specifications to local building departments for the purposes of plan check.

Certified Interior Designers have demonstrated through education, experience and examination their knowledge of the California Building Code as it relates to space planning, life safety, flammability and disabled access code issues, under the provisions of Chapter 3.9 of the Business & Professions Code, Section 5800 – 5812. CCIDC – California Council for Interior Design Certification is the organization responsible for administering the requirements of the Certified Interior Designers Title Act.

To find a CID in your area, click on the magnifying glass icon above.

State of California Resources