ASID Blog
AB 2482 Fact Sheet
AB 2482 FACT SHEET
SUMMARY
This bill expands the opportunities available to
qualified interior designers in the State of California
by providing additional rights and responsibilities to
help their businesses thrive and affords consumers
increased choice and protection for projects in the
built environment.
This bill creates a “Registered Interior Design Board”
within the Department of Consumer Affairs charged
with licensing Registered Interior Designers (RID).
AB 2482 does not alter existing law providing for the
private certification of interior designers, nor does it
affect any individual currently practicing interior
design who does not seek voluntary registration
under this new act.
EXISTING LAW
Current law provides for the certification of interior
designers. See Business and Professions Code
section 5800, et seq.
The existing law reserves the title of “Certified
Interior Designer” (CID) and delegates the evaluation
of interior designers and the ability to award the title
to an “interior design organization” which is
organized as a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit.
Under existing law, any person in the state is
allowed to submit an interior design plan for
consideration by building officials, and building
officials have the ability to use their discretion to
accept or reject interior design plans for permit.
The law classifies use of the CID title without
authorization an “unfair business practice.”
BACKGROUND
The evolution of the interior design profession makes
the law, as it pertains to the interior design
profession, ripe for enhancement.
In January of 1992, The California Council for
Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) was
established as the organization responsible for
administering the requirements of the Certified
Interior Designers Law. Today, 28 states provide
some form of regulation for interior design; California
is the only one that authorizes a private organization,
rather than a state regulatory body, to provide a
stamp to be used in the building permitting process.
In addition, California is the only state where that
same private organization is also responsible for
administering the qualifying examination for interior
designers.
At its inception, CCIDC recognized a single national
examination for the CID. It then moved to require a
CID to pass one of three recognized national
examinations (CQRID, NCIDQ, or both parts of the
NKBA) plus a supplemental California Codes and
Regulations Examination (CCRE). In 2008, CCIDC
made another change, establishing the Interior
Design Exam (IDEX) as the only permissible
qualifying examination for CIDs. This new
examination, created by CCIDC, is not recognized
by any other state or by the federal
government. California interior designers who seek
to expand their portfolios to include federal projects
or to acquire the required permits for their work in
other regulated states must pass the NCIDQ
examination; no reciprocity exists for the California
CID credential or the IDEX.
Acceptance of plans with a CID stamp for review by
local building departments is inconsistent across the
state. Due to the lack of state board oversight, CIDs
are not uniformly considered “registered design
professionals” as defined in the International Building
Code (Chapter 2 Definitions, Section 201:
Registered Design Professional) and the 2010
California Building Code (Chapter 2 Definitions,
Section 202: Registered Design Professional). The
existing law only provides local building departments
the chance to recognize the CID stamp at their own
discretion. In many jurisdictions across the state,
CIDs cannot independently obtain the necessary
permits on their own work – work that is squarely
within their scope of practice and qualifications. A
project that is permissible for a CID to perform
independently in one locality must be completed
AB 2482 (Ma):
Registered Interior Designers
under the supervision of, and stamped by, an
architect in another.
Today, interior designers engage in a wide spectrum
of work – from residential living rooms to complex
commercial spaces. Many interior designers will
never choose to work on a code-impacted project.
Others concentrate on hospitals, schools, nursing
homes, government buildings, and other codeimpacted
spaces. These interior designers must
have a working knowledge of complex local, state,
national and international building codes, health and
safety codes, and other applicable laws (e.g., the
Americans with Disabilities Act or CalGreen). These
interior designers provide services that range from
strategic planning through to construction
documentation and administration.
THIS BILL
This bill ensures that interior designers qualified by
education, experience, and examination can practice
to their fullest capabilities by providing them with the
tools needed to succeed in California both
independently and as part of a corporate
partnership. It benefits California consumers by
increasing competition and ensuring access for
interior designers to work independently, as they are
qualified to do, in non-structural, non-seismic codebased
built environments.
This bill:
• Defines a “Registered Interior Designer” using a
combination of education, experience, and
passage of the nationally recognized NCIDQ
exam as qualification requirements.
• Creates the state board oversight required for
recognition as “registered design professionals”
as defined in the International Building Code
(Chapter 2 Definitions, Section 201: Registered
Design Professional) and the 2010 California
Building Code (Chapter 2 Definitions, Section
202: Registered Design Professional), which will
enable RIDs equal access to the permitting
process across the state.
• Makes it easier for RIDs to participate in federal
contracts and allow for improved reciprocity with
other regulated states.
• Provides a path to Registration for graduates of
all interior design degree programs in the state,
including the California Community Colleges. It
also offers a path for current CIDs seeking
expanded practice opportunities.
• Permits RIDs to enter into joint enterprise or
partnership of a design corporation, something
not addressed in the existing law, which will
benefit businesses across California.
• Mandates disciplinary actions for violations,
providing further protection for consumers.
This bill will not change anyone’s ability to legally
practice interior design as they are now and does not
eliminate the existing, private, CID program.
SUPPORT
• Interior Design Coalition of California (“IDCC”)
[Sponsor]
• American Society of Interior Designers (“ASID”)
• ASID California Central/Nevada Chapter
• ASID California Los Angeles Chapter
• ASID California North Chapter
• ASID California Orange County Chapter
• ASID California Palm Springs/Inland Chapter
• ASID California Pasadena Chapter
• ASID California Peninsula Chapter
• ASID California San Diego Chapter
• International Interior Design Association (“IIDA”)
• IIDA Northern California Chapter
• IIDA Southern California Chapter
published 3/13/12
Taking the Mystery Out of Legislation
For those members who are on the fence or against legislation
April 10, 2012
During the recent Legislation Conference inAtlantathere was much talk about what’s going on inCaliforniaand how jazzed we should all be, but what I am sensing is that members of our Chapter are either not aware, don’t understand or are against the bill AB482. For this reason, I thought I utilize a document developed and distributed by the current President-Elect forNorthern California. The body of the document capsulizes all that I could begin to express, to help dispel the mystery of the Bill. With this letter from me, you may also receive the AB 2482 FACT SHEET.
The Passing of Dixie Carter
Dixie Carter (1939 – 2010)
April 3, 2012
The recent passing of Dixie Carter struck me like the loss of an old friend. It is a great loss to many, a wonderful role model for women.
Many interior designers paid homage to her because she inspired them in their career. Funnily enough, she was not an icon for me in interior design. The show really didn’t do that much design…I think I remember three rooms that they spoke about during the entire series. One was about the cat (inspired by Morris) that was selecting wallpaper. Another was a lady, who had no taste and completely destroyed the style of the house.
Lead Paint Removal
California EPA Regulations for Lead Based Paint Removal
by Talianko Design Group, LLC on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 11:29pm
I attended an educational seminar given by Steve Cunningham of Benjamin Moore Paints. The purpose of the seminar was to further the knowledge of interior designers about the chemical formulation of paint as it relates to our health and to the ever changing regulations set forth by the California EPA. (I am including a brief synopsis of Lead Based Paint Rules for Remodelers Effective April, 2010.) It is good for you to be aware of the guidelines your contractor must follow in order to ensure your safety with regard to lead paint contamination.
Do A Little Each Week
I have been working outside in the yard a lot lately, something I don’t normally do.
February 2, 2012