5.9.1 California Bill AB1796
Good morning,
I'm writing to inform you about a new bill introduced in California that may be of interest to you: AB 1796, the Licensed Commercial Interior Designer Practice Act.
Background
Currently, California law allows the California Council for Interior Design Certification (a nonprofit organization) to certify interior designers until January 1, 2027. It is considered an unfair business practice for anyone to present themselves as a "certified interior designer" without valid certification from the council. The council is also authorized to issue a commercial designation to qualified individuals, with certifications expiring every two years unless renewed.
Currently, California law allows the California Council for Interior Design Certification (a nonprofit organization) to certify interior designers until January 1, 2027. It is considered an unfair business practice for anyone to present themselves as a "certified interior designer" without valid certification from the council. The council is also authorized to issue a commercial designation to qualified individuals, with certifications expiring every two years unless renewed.
What Would Change Under AB 1796?
Bill AB 1796 proposes to shift from the current certification model to a formal system of licensure and regulation for the practice of commercial interior design. Under this bill, the council would only issue commercial designations until a specified date in 2027.
Bill AB 1796 proposes to shift from the current certification model to a formal system of licensure and regulation for the practice of commercial interior design. Under this bill, the council would only issue commercial designations until a specified date in 2027.
Upcoming Hearings
The Assembly Committee on Business and Professions is currently discussing both the future of the council and the proposed AB 1796. There are two key hearings:
The Assembly Committee on Business and Professions is currently discussing both the future of the council and the proposed AB 1796. There are two key hearings:
- Tomorrow at 9:00 am PT, there is the Sunset Review Oversight Hearing.
- April 21, 2026, at 9:00 am PT, is the Bill Hearing where AB 1796 is the first item on the agenda.
How to Make Your Voice Heard
The California Legislature offers a “Position Letter Portal” where you can submit your views on pending legislation directly to the committee and the bill's author.
Visit the Position Letter Portal: CAlegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates
After a one-time registration, you can log in and submit a letter outlining your position on the bill.
AIBD Legislative Committee's Position
While the AIBD has not taken a formal position on the licensure of Interior Design, our Legislative Committee has offered the following opinion:
While the AIBD has not taken a formal position on the licensure of Interior Design, our Legislative Committee has offered the following opinion:
“AIBD, through its continued support for exemptions in regulation that allow all our members to provide residential design services, is a well-established Institute policy statement opposing unnecessary regulation of the building design fields of practice.”
— Jack Butler, Chairman
For those who choose to oppose this legislation, Chairman Jack Butler has prepared the following points for consideration:
- The legislation is creating the unnecessary regulation of a field of practice without identifying a public safety reason to justify the additional state oversight.
- There is no current issue that the proposed regulation seeks to solve.
- The State of California does not need to “save” the public from bad color choices, nor is there any documented public welfare need to be met.
- The legislation seems to be an attempt to restrict competition in an area that needs no state oversight to ensure public safety, which should be the only reason the state seeks to regulate a commercial field of practice—and to impose the cost of that regulation on the public.
- The bill contends it will “ensure a reliable standard of practice” without providing any evidence that the current interior designer certification program has failed to do so.
Please let me know if you have any questions by replying to this email or contacting me at 202.750.4900 extension #3.
Sincerely,
Steve Mickley, FAIBD
Executive Director