(a) The council may issue a certification to any applicant who provides satisfactory evidence that they meet all of the requirements of this chapter and who complies with the bylaws, rules, and procedures established by the council.

(1) In order to obtain a certification, an applicant shall submit an application as provided by the council and provide the council with satisfactory evidence that they meet all of the following requirements:

Terms Used In California Business and Professions Code 5811.1

  • Certified Interior Designer: means a person who prepares and submits 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, and has demonstrated by means of education, experience and examination, the competency to protect and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the public. See California Business and Professions Code 5800
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Subdivision: means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs, unless some other section is expressly mentioned. See California Business and Professions Code 15

(A) Passage of an interior design examination approved by the council.

(B) Any of the following education and experience pathways:

(i) The person is a graduate of a four- or five-year accredited interior design degree program, and has two years of diversified interior design experience.

(ii) The person has completed a three-year accredited interior design certificate program, and has completed three years of diversified interior design experience.

(iii) The person has completed a two-year accredited interior design program and has completed four years of diversified interior design experience.

(iv) The person has at least eight years of interior design education, or at least eight years of diversified interior design experience, or a combination of interior design education and diversified interior design experience that together total at least eight years.

(C) All fees required by the council, as described in subdivision (e) of Section 5811, have been paid.

(2) The council may issue a commercial designation to a Certified Interior Designer or qualified applicant who, in addition to the requirements in paragraph (1), passes additional interior design courses and examinations, as determined to be required by the council.

(b) (1) ? Any certificate under this chapter shall be subject to renewal every two years in a manner prescribed by the council, and shall expire unless renewed in that manner. The council may provide for the late renewal of a registration.

(2) The council may require Certified Interior Designers to complete continuing education specific to the practice of interior design each two-year certification cycle.

(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 723, Sec. 31. (SB 816) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 5810.)

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