A 4840 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

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
40 Yea 1
97% Yea
R Republican22
19 Yea 1 Nay 2
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