California Council For Interior Design Certification

To protect the health, safety and welfare of the public through 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.

Support Updates to the Certified Interior Designer Title Act

Senate Bill 816 | An act to amend Sections 5800, 5801, 5801.1, 5802, 5803, 5804, 5805, 5807, and 5812 of, and to amend, renumber, and add Section 5811.1 of, the Business and Professions Code, relating to professions and vocations.

SB 816, as introduced, Roth. Interior designers.
Existing law, until January 1, 2027, provides a comprehensive scheme for the certification and regulation of interior designers. Under existing law, a Certified Interior Designer may obtain a stamp from an interior design organization that includes a number that identifies and bears the name of the designer, and that stamp certifies that the Certified Interior Designer has provided the interior design organization with evidence of passage of an interior design examination and completion of certain interior design education or experience requirements.
This bill would, instead, establish the California Council for Interior Design Certification to carry out duties and responsibilities governing the stamp certification and regulation of interior designers. The bill would authorize the council to issue certifications pursuant to these provisions to applicants who provide satisfactory evidence of compliance with specified education, experience, and examination requirements. The bill would identify the individual as either a “Certified Interior Designer” or “Certified Commercial Interior Designer” if the designer has completed certain additional interior design courses and examination requirements for the commercial designation, as determined by the council.
This bill would authorize the council to adopt bylaws, rules, and procedures and establish reasonable application fees, renewal fees, and other fees related to the regulatory cost of providing services and carrying out the council’s duties. The bill would make other related and conforming changes to these provisions.

Support Certification and CCIDC | Send Your Support Letters Today! 

Contact the representatives who will be voting on this very important legislation on April 24, 2023. Please download, complete and send your letter of support before the 4/24/2023 hearing date.
California Certified Interior Designer's Title Act

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.

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 each month from 4-6PM PST.

If you are interested in joining this Committee, please APPLY HERE

Uniform Plan Submission Committee Meeting Date: April 11, 2023 4-6PM PST
UPSC 04.11.2023 MEETING AGENDA

To participate in the meeting, please fill out a committee application and REGISTER HERE in advance, for the meeting.

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: April 28, 2023.

Marketing Committee Meeting AGENDA

Interior Design Education Committee

This Committee works with educators to review current Interior Design program curriculum and create a guideline for developing a well-rounded curriculum that promotes and improves the interior design profession in California.

To join this Committee APPLY HERE

Meeting information will be emailed to registered applicants.

All Meetings Are Open to the Public

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 2022 IDEX® Exam Registration Deadline has passed.
CCIDC accepts application 365 days per year, apply today for the Spring 2023 IDEX® Exam!

Application Packets are Due March 1st  for the Spring 2023 IDEX® Exam!
Retest fees are also due March 1st to retake the IDEX® Exam in the Spring.

Learn more about the Sunset Review Process and
CCIDC’s Governmental Oversight: Here

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.