California extends interior designer certification rules through 2030

California’s interior designer certification and regulation rules continue until January 1, 2031. The extension applies to the state rules for certifying and regulating interior designers and to the council that carries them out. The rules remain in effect through December 31, 2030, and are repealed on January 1, 2031.

Certified interior designers must report qualifying cases to the council, and insurers and self-insuring government agencies must report related payments. The rules cover certified interior designers, their professional liability insurers, and state or local agencies that self-insure a designer. The case must allege fraud, deceit, negligence, incompetence, or recklessness in interior design work and result in a judgment, settlement, or arbitration award worth at least $5,000. The duties apply only when a designer was in responsible control of the project part at issue and a party was or is an organization in which the designer was or is an owner, partner, member, officer, or employee. A designer who fails to report may face discipline or a civil penalty of $100 to $5,000 instead of losing certification. A designer must report within 30 days of learning of a qualifying event. An insurer or self-insuring agency must report within 30 days after paying all or part of a qualifying judgment, settlement, or arbitration award.

The council must put public protection first, cap pay for its employees and contractors, and follow rules for meetings and public input. These rules govern the California Council for Interior Design Certification and its work. For policies that substantially affect people or groups subject to council certification or approval, the council must publish proposed changes and a summary at least 45 days before acting, accept written comments during that period, and allow further comment at a meeting. This includes fee increases. Except where the certification chapter provides otherwise, council meetings must use Rosenberg’s Rules or Robert’s Rules. Meetings that issue stamps remain subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. The total annual pay for any council employee or contractor cannot exceed the annual salary set under Section 11550 of the Government Code. For covered policy changes, the council must give the public at least 45 calendar days to review them before adopting, amending, or repealing them.

The council must make its records available for public inspection when practicable. This requirement applies to records held by the California Council for Interior Design Certification. The council may charge the direct cost of responding to a records request. Public-records exemptions still apply. The council must not disclose investigatory records or records containing sensitive information. The requirement begins July 1, 2028.

Certified interior designers are included in the legal definition of “design professional” for rules about liens on construction projects. This applies to people certified as interior designers under the state certification rules.