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Bill

AB 1796

Licensed Professional Interior Designer Practice Act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Corey Jackson and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a state licensure framework and regulatory board for interior designers in California to ensure education, examination, and ethical standards.

In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
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Bill Summary · AB 1796

Summary of AB 1796 (2025-2026) – Licensed Professional Interior Designer Practice Act

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a regulatory framework for the practice of interior design by licensed professionals in California.
  • Aims to professionalize interior design practice, protect consumers, and create standards for education, experience, and examination similar to other licensed professions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of a formal licensing regime for interior designers who meet specified qualifications (education, experience, and examination requirements).
  • Establishment or designation of a state licensing board or a governing body responsible for administering the licensure program, including issuing licenses, renewing licenses, and enforcing licensure standards.
  • Specification of professional requirements:
    • Education: minimum educational credentials (e.g., certain degree or coursework in interior design or related disciplines).
    • Experience: minimum hours or years of professional practice under approved supervision.
    • Examination: successful completion of a recognized professional exam, or alternative qualifying pathways as defined in the bill.
  • Scope of practice:
    • Definition of activities that require licensed status (e.g., signs, plans, or specifications that influence safety, accessibility, or compliance with building codes and regulations).
    • Clarification of tasks that may be performed by unlicensed personnel, with delineation of what constitutes the practice of interior design versus ancillary services.
  • Consumer protections:
    • Clear standards for professional conduct, including duties to the public, ethical guidelines, and fiduciary responsibilities.
    • Mechanisms for disciplinary actions against licensees who violate statutes or regulations (e.g., fines, license suspension or revocation, probation).
  • Regulatory structure and governance:
    • Establishment of licensure renewal cycles, continuing education requirements, and sunset or review provisions to assess program effectiveness.
    • Administrative processes for application, license issuance, renewals, reinstatement, and fee schedules.
  • Enforcement and compliance:
    • Penalties for practicing interior design without a license or with suspended/revoked credentials.
    • Authority for the licensing board to investigate complaints, hold hearings, and impose sanctions.

Affected parties and entities

  • Interior designers and professional practitioners seeking licensure in California.
  • Companies and firms employing or contracting interior designers who will need licensed personnel to perform regulated services.
  • Consumers and clients who engage interior design services and would be protected by standardized licensing requirements.
  • Government regulators, including a new or existing state board or committee charged with licensure oversight, discipline, and enforcement.
  • Educational institutions offering interior design programs, which may align curricula with licensure requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Bill progressed through multiple committee hearings, including referrals to the Business and Professions (B. & P.) Committee and the Appropriations (APPR.) suspense file, reflecting its status as a measure with fiscal and regulatory implications.
  • Key milestones:
    • March–April 2026: Referred to and considered by B. & P. Committee, with amendments by the author, and multiple rounds of re-referral.
    • April 14–21, 2026: Passed committee stages with amendments and re-referrals; continued to APPR, reflecting budgetary or fiscal considerations.
    • May 6, 14, and 18, 2026: Sequential committee and floor actions indicating progression toward a full chamber vote.
    • May 26, 2026: Passed third reading in the Assembly and ordered to the Senate, indicating it has cleared the Assembly and awaits Senate consideration.
  • Sponsors include Corey Jackson (co-sponsor) and Ali Macedo (co-sponsor), signaling coalition support and guiding legislators.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Public protection: By licensing interior designers, the bill seeks to ensure that professionals meet uniform standards, potentially reducing risk to clients in areas touching safety, accessibility, and code compliance.
  • Market effects: Licensing could affect the cost and availability of interior design services, create entry barriers for aspiring practitioners, and influence industry competition.
  • Implementation questions: Details such as license fees, continuing education requirements, and the precise scope of practice will determine the practical impact on practitioners and firms.
  • Interplay with building codes and regulatory compliance: The bill likely interacts with architectural, engineering, and construction regulations, necessitating coordination among related professions.

If you’d like, I can extract specific statutory language cues (e.g., defined scope of practice, licensure eligibility, or disciplinary provisions) once the bill text is available, and provide a more granular section-by-section breakdown.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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