Relates to the requirements for certification for certified interior designers
This bill establishes new requirements for individuals seeking the title "certified interior designer" in New York. To qualify, applicants must complete seven years of professional training (including 2-5 years of approved post-secondary education), pass a national certification exam, and pass a state-specific fire and safety codes exam, with a $135 initial license fee. It allows exemptions for those holding valid out-of-state licenses or who have documented seven years of practice without formal education. The bill amends Education Law Section 8305 to implement these standards.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Assembly Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 6, 2025
Last action May 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
A4840
→
A4840A
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to streamline certification requirements for interior designers by removing a separate fire safety exam and reducing initial licensing fees. The effective date of the law was also delayed to allow time for necessary rule updates.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding examination requirements and fee structures was narrowed and adjusted to reduce barriers for applicants.
REQUIREMENT
Removed the requirement for applicants to pass a separate examination regarding state fire and building codes, simplifying the certification process.
FISCAL
Reduced the initial licensing fee from $300 to $135 for applicants who do not need to take a department-conducted examination.
TIMELINE
Changed the law's effective date from the following January to 180 days after the bill becomes law, providing a longer implementation window.
TECHNICAL
Corrected grammatical errors in the exemption section, changing the phrase 'held himself or herself out' to 'held themself out'.
Floor votes · Senate May 13, 2026 · Assembly May 4, 2026
How they voted
59–1
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 63
May 13, 2026
D
Democratic41
97% Yea
R
Republican22
86% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Amendments
2
May 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 4, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
May 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 4840A
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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