AIA California is pleased to share that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2106 (Patel) into law, strengthening California’s Certificate of Merit requirements for claims against design professionals. The new law will take effect January 1, 2027.
AIA California supported AB 2106, sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of California (ACEC California), because it strengthens an important safeguard designed to ensure that professional negligence claims against design professionals are reviewed by appropriately qualified experts before proceeding.
Under existing law, an attorney filing a professional negligence claim against certain design professionals must certify that they have consulted with a licensed professional who believes there is a reasonable and meritorious basis for the claim. AB 2106 strengthens this requirement by requiring the consulting professional to be licensed in California and practice in the same discipline as the design professional named in the action. The new law also extends Certificate of Merit protections to landscape architects.
These changes will help ensure that allegations involving highly technical professional services receive meaningful review from individuals with the appropriate expertise and understanding of California’s professional standards. By strengthening the Certificate of Merit process, AB 2106 can help discourage unsupported claims while preserving access to the courts for legitimate disputes.
AIA California thanks Assemblymember Darshana Patel and her staff for their leadership and hard work in successfully advancing AB 2106 through the legislative process and securing the Governor’s signature. We also extend our appreciation to ACEC California for sponsoring the measure and for its leadership and persistence throughout the year.
AIA California was proud to support our engineering colleagues in advancing this commonsense reform, which will provide stronger and more consistent protections for California’s design professional community when it takes effect on January 1, 2027.
