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.

Eligibility for Board of Directors
Section 3.02.  Any person, as defined in Section 5065 of CCIDC, Inc.’s Code, is eligible to be a Director of CCIDC, Inc., except that, in the case of a natural person, such person shall not be eligible for Director unless over the age of eighteen (18) years.

Qualification of the Board of Directors
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.

Available Board Positions:
Hospitality Director
Public Director

Applicants to be approved at the June 7, 2025 Annual Board Meeting

Quick Links

California Certified Interior Designer's Title Act

Debunking False Information

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 governmental oversight from the Joint Sunset Review Committee. CCIDC, like other State and Certification Boards, is required to go through the Sunset Review Process.

Q: Do CIDs have permitting privileges?
A: By law, Certified Interior Designers can stamp and submit non-structural/non-seismic plans for review.

Q: Why do I keep seeing that California has “Self” or “Private” Certification and no permitting privileges?
A: CCIDC makes every attempt to educate CIDs/Affiliates/The public and curb the spread of this disinformation.

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
California Certified Interior Designer's Title Act

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, CIDhave 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.

IDEX® California Exam

CCIDC accepts application 365 days per year
Apply today for the Spring 2025 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
  • Code Related Questions Created With the International Codes Council (ICC)
  • Free Study Guide Available!

State of California Resources