Interior Design Certification Information for Building Departments

Guidance for Building Departments and Plan Review Officials
The California Certified Interior Designer Title Act, Business and Professions Code Sections 5800 through 5812, establishes the legal definition, qualifications, and scope of Certified Interior Designers (CIDs).

Under Business and Professions Code Section 5800, a Certified Interior Designer is defined as:

“A person who prepares and submits nonstructural or nonseismic plans 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, and has demonstrated by means of education, experience and examination, the competency to protect and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the public.”

This statute confirms that Certified Interior Designers are recognized design professionals within a defined legal scope.

URGENT CALL TO ACTION

Support CCIDC in the Upcoming Sunset Review

CCIDC is currently undergoing an important Sunset Review process, and your support is critical to ensuring we can continue protecting the Health, Safety and Welfare of Californians. We respectfully ask building departments and industry partners to submit letters of support to your legislators endorsing CCIDC and its mission. Your voice makes a difference. Legislative support from building departments across the state demonstrates the value, impact, and importance of CCIDC’s work.

Thank you in advance for your time, leadership, and continued partnership. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Sample support letters are available to make the process quick and easy.

👉 Please click each image below to open and download the sample letters.

Click Image for Sample Senate Support Letter

Click Image for Sample Senate Support Letter

Click Image for Sample Assembly Support Letter

Click Image for Sample Assembly Support Letter

Information About Certified Interior Designers

CIDs are authorized to prepare and submit qualifying interior construction documents directly to local building departments.

  • Nonstructural interior partition layouts
  • Accessibility compliance details within interior scope
  • Life safety and means of egress layouts (nonstructural)
  • Reflected ceiling plans and finish plans
  • Interior alterations not affecting structural or seismic systems
  • Code-compliant documentation requiring licensed contractor implementation

The California Certified Interior Designer stamp indicates that the plans or drawings were prepared by a professional certified under California’s Interior Design Title Act. Certified Interior Designers are authorized by state law to prepare and submit nonstructural and nonseismic interior construction documents for permitting, including interior space planning, reflected ceiling plans, finish plans, nonstructural partitions, accessibility compliance within the interior scope, and related specifications.

The CCIDC stamp confirms that the designer holds a valid California certification and is legally permitted to prepare drawings within the scope defined by the Title Act. The stamp does not authorize structural or exterior building design, which remain under the authority of licensed architects or engineers as required by law.

For verification of certification status, certification numbers may be confirmed through CCIDC.

Certification is administered by CCIDC

Certified Interior Designer (CID) Non-Certified Individual
Protected title under California law No title protection
Verified education and diversified experience No statutory qualification standards
Passed a comprehensive code-based examination No examination required
Demonstrated competency to protect public health, safety, and welfare No verified competency

The Title Act clearly distinguishes interior scope from architectural and engineering licensure.

  • No structural or load-bearing system design
  • No seismic system modifications
  • No architectural or engineering practice unless separately licensed
  • No contractor services unless separately licensed

California Interior Design Legislation Overview

Certified Interior Designer’s Title Act – California Business and Professions Code – Section 5800 – 5812

Title Act Vs. Practice Act

  • A “practice” act regulates a group of actions or “practices” that can only be carried out by persons licensed to carry out those particular practices. For example: Only a licensed engineer can design a bridge. So a practice act regulates a group of practices, and then defines (through proof of education, experience, and testing) and subsequently “licenses” or “Registers” the group of individuals that are qualified to carry out those practices. So, if an interior designer tried to design a bridge, they are breaking the law because they are not a licensed engineer.
  • A “title” act regulates a group of people that use a certain “title,” without affecting the ability of others in the industry to conduct business in their particular practice. But in order to be allowed to use that title, the state requires that those people prove that they have a certain level of experience and education relevant to the particular title being regulated. For example, in California, Interior Designers must meet the minimum qualifications set by the state to become a Certified Interior Designer.
  • A title act regulates only a title and provides a list to the public of the “certified” (not licensed) individuals that meet the required qualifications to use that title. In California, anyone can refer to themselves as an “Interior Designer”, without any education or experience. Interior designers would be in violation of the Title Act ONLY if they use the title “Certified Interior Designer,” “Registered Interior Designer,” or “Licensed Interior Designer (or in current law, the title “interior architect” or any other currently regulated title) when conducting business as an interior designer.

Sunset Review: CCIDC Governmental Oversight

Each Aspect of CCIDC’s Operation is Reviewed and Monitored 
CCIDC is given a comprehensive questionnaire which initiates the sunset review process. Highlights of specific evaluative questions regarding applications processing, complaint handling, and operational systems include:

  • Has the CCIDC specified its vision, mission and goals and objectives for its agency?
  • Has the CCIDC been involved in strategic planning, any type of basic self-assessment quality management practices, or reorganization to improve the board’s overall effectiveness and efficiency?
  • Are there any undue delays in approving an application, providing an exam, or in issuing a license or certification?
  • Does the consumer have access to application and licensing or certification information?
  • Are complaints handled in both an expeditious and appropriate manner, either through informal or formal processes? Is there any reduction in complaint handling time-frames, or have time-frames increased?
  • Is complaint information disclosed to the public?
  • How many investigations have been commenced and completed for each year over the past four years, and how many are currently open/pending? What has been the time-frame for these investigations? Has there been a backlog or reductions of outstanding investigation cases?
  • Are investigations, inspections and/or audits handled in both an expeditious and appropriate manner by the CCIDC, through use of their own investigative staff? How accurate are the initial and subsequent decisions on investigations?
  • Have there been any extreme delays in handling of disciplinary cases over the past four years?
  • What disciplinary information is disclosed to the public?

Joint Sunset Review Oversight Hearings

Each year, the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee hold joint sunset review oversight hearings to review the boards and bureaus under the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).  The DCA boards and bureaus are responsible for protecting consumers and the public and regulating the professionals they license. The sunset review process provides an opportunity for the DCA, the Legislature, the boards, and interested parties and stakeholders to discuss the performance of the boards, and make recommendations for improvements.

Like all boards and bureaus (including architects and engineers) who are under the purview of the California Dept. of Consumer Affairs (DCA), CCIDC undergoes regular evaluation and review, which is called the sunset review process.

The sunset review process provides a formal opportunity and mechanism for the DCA, the Legislature, the boards and bureaus, interested parties and stakeholders to make recommendations for board and bureau improvements. This is performed on a standard four-year cycle and was mandated by SB 2036 (McCorquodale, Chapter 908, Statutes of 1994).

In Sunset Review, the Law Mandates that the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Perform the Following:

  • Provide assistance to the boards and bureaus in preparing their sunset reports
  • Provide testimony at the annual sunset hearings
  • Review the Joint Committee’s findings and recommendations
  • Report its findings and recommendations to the Joint Committee Consistent with the Consumer Affairs Act and the sunset review law
  • Provides the appropriate forum for the Legislature, the boards and bureaus, interested parties and stakeholders, and the Department to facilitate needed changes

The Goal of Sunset Review Focuses on Application Processing and Complaint Handling

Sunset review’s goal is to improve the quality of services provided to consumers. It examines a board’s operations, including application processing and complaint handling to:

  • Ensure that the public’s complaints are handled in a courteous and expeditious manner
  • Ensure the public is informed about any complaints, disciplinary actions, judgments and criminal actions against a licensed (certified) professional
  • Establish appropriate performance measures for each board reviewed