LEGISLATION

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.

LEGISLATIVE BILL REPORTS

All bills currently being tracked. Reports include calendars, and language, on measures moving through the Capitol.

ADVOCACY

CCIDC’s Commitment to Legislative Advocacy

The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) is committed to advocating for policies and legislation that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public through the responsible practice of interior design.

CCIDC’s advocacy efforts aim to promote, protect, and strengthen the interior design profession holistically, ensuring that all qualified interior designers are recognized, supported, and empowered to contribute to California’s built environment.

We actively engage with interior designers, educators, industry partners, and the public to advance fair and inclusive policies that uphold professional standards, encourage accountability, and foster a safe, sustainable, and innovative design industry across the state.

The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) closely monitors legislation as part of its commitment to consumer protection. CCIDC closely monitors legislation as part of its commitment to consumer protection. CCIDC closely monitors legislation as part of its commitment to consumer protection. CCIDC closely monitors legislation as part of its commitment to consumer protection. Legislative efforts in California are most effective when they reflect collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to the public good. CCIDC is dedicated to leading with these principles, ensuring that any proposed legislation strengthens, rather than divides, the interior design profession.

Protection of the public health, safety, and welfare is CCIDC’s highest priority and statutory mandate.  Ensuring that consumers have access to interior designers who have demonstrated their competence and maintaining an efficient credentialing system are  crucial components of that commitment.   As such, CCIDC does strongly oppose any legislation that bifurcates or otherwise weakens the interior design profession in California, including measures that:

  • Fails to represent the best interests of consumers and the entire interior design profession.
  • Restricts an interior designer’s ability to perform duties currently authorized under California law or bifurcates the profession.
  • Creates unnecessary or discriminatory barriers to entry into the profession.
  • Compromises public health, safety, and welfare by limiting qualified professionals’ ability to practice.
  • Requires interior designers to be subordinate to other professions, such as architecture, in order to practice as they are currently permitted.

CCIDC’s approach is centered on inclusivity and representation for all interior designers in California, particularly the independent practitioners, small business owners, and Certified Interior Designers who form the foundation of the profession. 

Through open dialogue, responsible leadership, and a deep respect for the diversity of California’s interior design profession, CCIDC continues to champion a unified and forward-looking vision for the future of interior design.

CCIDC remains committed to constructive advocacy that promotes a unified, inclusive, and independent interior design profession; safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of the public; and ensures that all qualified designers can continue to practice to the full extent of their expertise under California law.

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.

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)
All meetings are open to the public.

LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT

interior design certification

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