Interior Design
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INTERIOR DESIGN LICENSING

ALABAMA EST. 1982

 Alabama State Board of Registration for Interior Designers  

Tel: , E-mail:
Part-time Office M-W-F 1/2 day only

Interior design is defined as the activities performed in connection with the design, utilization, furnishing, or fabrication of elements in interior spaces in buildings, homes, and related structures. Individuals wishing to perform interior design in the state must be registered with the board. Prior to registration, an applicant must make application to the board and show evidence that the applicant has satisfactorily completed the required number of hours of education and work experience related to the field of interior design, and must satisfactorily pass a written examination or provide evidence of registration in another state whose requirements for registration are equivalent to Alabama's requirements. Examinations are administered and graded by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Results are sent to the board. Once an applicant is approved by the board, a letter is sent to the Secretary of State's office. The Secretary of State's office signs the certificate of registration, which is sent back to the board for forwarding to the registrant, and enters the registrant's name into a register.

ARKANSAS EST. 1993

Arkansas State Board of Registered Interior Designers

Tel:

Duties: "To register and regulate persons known as registered interior designers and to prohibit the use of the title "Registered Interior Designer" by persons who are not registered. To review applications for registration to insure the persons meet qualifications for being a registered interior designer. Register qualified applicants. Investigate allocations of misconduct. Maintain official roster. Require registered interior designers to display registration number on all advertising and contracts.

CALIFORNIA EST. 1990

California Council for Interior Design Certification

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COLORADO EST. 2001

Colorado Board of Examiners of Architects

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Note: In Colorado, the legislation concerning interior designers is an exemption to the architectural statute. 

CONNECTICUT EST. 1983

Connecticut Dept.  of Consumer Protection, Professional Lic. Div. - ID

Tel: Fax:

FLORIDA  EST. 1988

Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design

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Note: Interior design and architecture businesses are required to apply for a "Certificate of Authorization," which is separate from individual professional license status."(1) A registered interior designer is authorized to perform "interior design" as defined in s. 481.203. Interior design documents prepared by a registered interior designer shall contain a statement that the document is not an architectural or engineering study, drawing, specification, or design and is not to be used for construction of any load-bearing columns, load-bearing framing or walls of structures, or issuance of any building permit, except as otherwise provided by law. Interior design documents that are prepared and sealed by a registered interior designer may, if required by a permitting body, be submitted for the issuance of a building permit for interior construction excluding design of any structural, mechanical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, ventilating, electrical, or vertical transportation systems or that materially affect lifesafety systems pertaining to firesafety protection such as fire-rated separations between interior spaces, fire-rated vertical shafts in multistory structures, fire-rated protection of structural elements, smoke evacuation and compartmentalization, emergency ingress or egress systems, and emergency alarm systems. (2) An interior designer shall, before entering into a contract, verbal or written, clearly determine the scope and nature of the project and the method or methods of compensation. The interior designer may offer professional services to the client as a consultant, specifier, or supplier on the basis of a fee, percentage, or markup. The interior designer shall have the responsibility of fully disclosing to the client the manner in which all compensation is to be paid. Unless the client knows and agrees, the interior designer shall not accept any form of compensation from a supplier of goods and services in cash or in kind."

Interior design; practice requirements; disclosure of compensation for professional services.--

(1) A registered interior designer is authorized to perform "interior design" as defined in s. 481.203. Interior design documents prepared by a registered interior designer shall contain a statement that the document is not an architectural or engineering study, drawing, specification, or design and is not to be used for construction of any load-bearing columns, load-bearing framing or walls of structures, or issuance of any building permit, except as otherwise provided by law. Interior design documents that are prepared and sealed by a registered interior designer may, if required by a permitting body, be submitted for the issuance of a building permit for interior construction excluding design of any structural, mechanical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, ventilating, electrical, or vertical transportation systems or that materially affect lifesafety systems pertaining to firesafety protection such as fire-rated separations between interior spaces, fire-rated vertical shafts in multistory structures, fire-rated protection of structural elements, smoke evacuation and compartmentalization, emergency ingress or egress systems, and emergency alarm systems.

(2) An interior designer shall, before entering into a contract, verbal or written, clearly determine the scope and nature of the project and the method or methods of compensation. The interior designer may offer professional services to the client as a consultant, specifier, or supplier on the basis of a fee, percentage, or markup. The interior designer shall have the responsibility of fully disclosing to the client the manner in which all compensation is to be paid. Unless the client knows and agrees, the interior designer shall not accept any form of compensation from a supplier of goods and services in cash or in kind.

GEORGIA EST. 1992

Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers FAQ

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ILLINOIS EST. 1990

Illinois Board of Interior Design Professionals

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"No individual shall, without a valid registration as an interior designer issued by the Department, in any manner hold himself out to the public as an interior designer or attach the title 'interior designer' or any other name or designation which would in any way imply that he is able to use the title 'interior designer' as defined in this Act. No individual shall, without a valid registration as a residential interior designer issued by the Department, in any manner hold himself out to the public as a residential interior designer, or use the title 'residential interior designer' or any name or designation that would in any way imply that he is able to use the title 'residential interior designer' as defined in this Act. "

IOWA EST. 2005

Iowa Professional Licensing Division - Interior Design Board
, Executive Officer:
, Licensing & Regulation:

KENTUCKY  EST. 2002

Kentucky State Board of Examiners & Registration of Architects

Tel: Fax:
E-mail: Amy Vice

LOUISIANA EST. 1984

Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Interior Designers

Tel: , Fax: , Email: 

MAINE EST. 1993

Maine Board of Architects, Landscape Architects & Interior Designers

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MARYLAND EST. 1991

Maryland Board of Certified Interior Designers

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Qualifications for Certification - To qualify for a certificate, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section. (a) The applicant shall be of good character and reputation. (b) The applicant shall be at least 18 years old. (c) The applicant shall: (1) file an application and pay an application fee (2) have satisfied education and experience requirements necessary to qualify for the National Council of Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ), or its equivalent, as determined by the Board; and (3) have passed the National Council of Interior Design Qualification Examination, or its equivalent.

MICHIGAN

Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services
Interior Designers Certification Program

Tel:

MINNESOTA EST. 1992

Minnesota Board of AELSLAGID

Tel: Fax: TTY: 1.

MISSOURI EST. 1998

Missouri State Interior Design Council

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E-mail:

NEVADA EST. 1995

Nevada Board of Architecture, Interior Design & Residential Design

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The Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design (NSBAIDRD) is established under the provisions of NRS Chapter 623. The board is comprised of nine members, appointed by the governor for three-year terms. There are five registered architects, two registered interior designers, one registered residential designer and one public member. The board is responsible for the administration, regulation and enforcement of the professions of architecture, registered interior design and residential design in Nevada. The board reviews applications, administers examinations, registers qualified applicants and regulates the professional practice of registrants throughout the state. In addition, it investigates complaints relating to the practice of the professions. The board encourages consumers to contact the office before hiring a design professional to determine if they are registered and are in good standing. Registered Interior Designers evaluate interior space utilization needs and prepare conceptual drawings and construction documents for interior spaces. Registered interior designers may not provide drawings that include load-bearing partitions. They also specify finishes, furniture, fixtures and equipment that are subject to uniform building codes. Residential Designers are similar to architects. Residential designers can provide services for: * Single-family dwellings of any size. * Multi-family dwellings not over two stories and with no more than four units in each structure. "Under Nevada law, you are not required to hire an architect, registered interior designer or residential design for every building project. Some professional engineers are also qualified to design structures, and licensed contractors can provide drawings for their own construction activities. The following situations are also exempt from hiring an architect, registered interior designer or residential designer: 1. Personally preparing plans and drawings for your own private residential use 2. Plans and drawings for farm and ranch buildings 3. Selection and layout of decorative accessories, wall coverings, floor coverings, window coverings, lighting fixtures and furniture, if not regulated by building codes or other laws governing the alteration or construction of a structure.

The State Board of Architects Interior Design Examination and Evaluation Committee of the New Jersey State finalized board rules to begin certifying interior designers. Interior designers with a combination of six years of education and experience (min. 2 years of education) who pass NCIDQ's examination are qualified to become certified. Interior designers with 10 years of interior design experience prior to 2002 may become certified under the "grandfathering" provision before May 2007. "Closely allied professional" means and is limited to licensed architects, professional engineers, land surveyors, and professional planners, certified landscape architects, and persons that provide space planning services, interior design services, or the substantial equivalent thereof  "Interior design services" means rendering or offering to render services, for a fee or other valuable consideration, in the preparation and administration of interior design documents, including, but not limited to, drawings, schedules and specifications which pertain to the design intent and planning of interior spaces, including furnishings, layouts, non-load bearing partitions, fixtures, cabinetry, lighting location and type, outlet location and type, switch location and type, finishes, materials and interior construction not materially related to or materially affecting the building systems, in accordance with applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards,"

NEW MEXICO EST. 1989

New Mexico Board of Interior Design

Tel : Fax:

New Mexico law requires that anyone using the title of "interior designer" must:  be licensed, disclose to the customer the scope and nature of the project, and how payment will be made.  Interior designers are not allowed to accept any form of compensation from the supplier unless the customer is informed.   Design documents prepared by an interior designer must contain a statement that it is not an architectural drawing and cannot be used for construction of any load-bearing framing, wall or structure construction. Interior Designer: Means any person who engages in the practice of Interior Design or holds himself/herself out to the public by any title or description of services representing himself/herself as an Interior Designer, which incorporate the words "Interior Designer", or "Designer", or when a person describes himself/herself as above and, under such title or description, offers to render or renders services involving the applications of principles, method and procedures of the profession of Interior Design to persons for compensation or other personal gain. Unless licensed to practice interior design under the Professional Interior Design Act, no person shall engage in the practice of interior design or use the title or represent himself/herself as an Interior Designer or use any other title, abbreviation, letter, signs or devices that indicate the person is an Interior Designer. 11/7/06 - "Nothing in the Interior Design Act prevents any person from rendering or offering to render any of the services which constitute the practice of interior design, provided that such person shall not be permitted to use or be identified by the title “interior designer” or “interior design” unless licensed in accordance with the provisions of the act or as otherwise provided by law. Due to pending litigation, the Board is not taking enforcement action with respect to unlicensed persons using the title interior designer or interior design at this time."

NEW YORK EST: 1990

New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Interior Design Unit

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OKLAHOMA EST. 2006

 Oklahoma Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers  - EST. 2006

The Oklahoma board is now accepting applications for "interior designer" registration. Requirements: Degree from an FIDER accredited /Council for Interior Design Accreditation program or equivalent, or two-years full-time experience and NCIDQ certification. Additionally, the board will consider individuals without an accredited degree who meet their educational requirements, or individuals with six years experience with NCIDQ certification, or those in practice for 15 years. Grandfathering ends July 1, 2009. Senate Bill 1991 creates a joint Board of Governors of the Licensed Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers, a title act allowing qualified interior designers to use the title "Interior Designer" on May 8, 2006.

PUERTO RICO

Puerto Rico State Dept., Examining Board of Interior Designers

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TENNESSEE EST. 1991

Tennessee Dept. of Commerce & Insurance, Board of Architectural & Engineering Examiners

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TEXAS EST. 1991

Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

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E-mail:

Certified Interior Designer (CID) - Mandatory - "A person other than an interior designer may not: (1) represent that the person is an "interior designer" by using that title; or (2) represent, by using the term "interior design, " a service the person offers or performs."

The following amended rules were adopted on June 11, 2007, submitted for publication on June 27, 2007, and become effective July 18, 2007. 5.154 Dishonest Practice (a) An Interior Designer may not directly or indirectly perform an act, omit an act or allow an omission, make an assertion, or otherwise engage in a practice with the intent to: (1) defraud, (2) deceive, or (3) create a misleading impression. (b) An Interior Designer may not advertise in a manner which is false, misleading, or deceptive. Each advertisement that offers the services of an Interior Designer in Texas and is found in a telephone directory, e-mail directory, web site, or newspaper must clearly display that Interior Designer's Texas interior design registration number. If an advertisement is for a business that employs more than one Interior Designer, only the Texas interior design registration number for one Interior Designer employed by the firm or associated with the firm pursuant to section 5.132 is required to be displayed. (c) An Interior Designer may not directly or indirectly solicit, offer, give, or receive anything or any service of significant value as an inducement or reward to secure any specific publicly funded interior design work. An Interior Designer may not give Interior Design plans, design services, pre-bond referendum services, or any other goods or services to a governmental entity in response to a request for qualifications, a request for proposals, or otherwise during the process to select an Interior Designer to render publicly funded interior design work. 7.10 General Fees (a) FAILURE TO TIMELY PAY A REGISTRATION RENEWAL WILL RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION BY OPERATION OF LAW.

VIRGINIA EST. 1990

Virginia APELSCIDLA Board

Tel: ,  Fax:

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation

Executive Director: Mark N. Courtney
Phone: or
Email: Board for APELSCIDLA

 13.1-549. Qualifications of shareholders; special provisions for corporations rendering services of architects, professional engineers and land surveyors, and using the title of certified landscape architects and certified interior designers.

A. A corporation rendering the services of architects, professional engineers or land surveyors, or using the title of certified landscape architects or certified interior designers, or any combination thereof, shall issue not less than two-thirds of its shares to individuals duly licensed to render the services of architect, professional engineer or land surveyor, or to individuals legally authorized to use the title of certified landscape architect or certified interior designer, and the remainder of said shares may be issued only to and held by individuals who are employees of the corporation whether or not such employees are licensed to render professional services or authorized to use a title. For a corporation using the title of certified interior designers and providing the services of architects, professional engineers or land surveyors, or any combination thereof, not less than two-thirds of its shares shall be held by individuals who are duly licensed. No other professional corporation, except for a corporation engaged in the practice of accounting as described in § 13.1-549.1, may issue any of its shares to anyone other than an individual who is duly licensed or otherwise legally authorized to render the same specific professional services as those for which the corporation was incorporated, including trustees of an eligible employee stock ownership plan. Notwithstanding the above limitations, a professional corporation may (i) issue its shares to a partnership each of the partners of which is duly licensed or otherwise legally authorized to render the same professional services as those for which the corporation was incorporated or (ii) issue any of its shares to, and have as shareholders, directly or indirectly, whether through shares, fractional shares, or rights or options to purchase shares, the trustees of an eligible employee stock ownership plan.

B. As an additional prerequisite for a corporation engaging in the practice of the professions of architecture, professional engineering or land surveying, or using the title of certified landscape architect or certified interior designer, or any combination thereof, such corporation shall secure a certificate of authority, which may be renewable and may be either general or limited, from the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects. Such certificate of authority shall be issued or renewed by the Board when in its discretion such corporation is in compliance with rules and regulations which shall be promulgated by the said Board consistent with its jurisdiction to provide adequate safeguards for the public's health, welfare and safety. The fees for a certificate of authority as described above shall be the same fees as provided for in Chapter 4 (§ 54.1-400 et seq.) of Title 54.1.

WASHINGTON D. C. EST. 1986

Washington DC Dept. of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs c/o DC Board of Architecture and Interior Design

Tel: (Harriette Andrews) Fax:

http://www.asisvcs.com/indhome.asp?CPCAT=AR09STATEREG License Verification

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing

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Graduation from a 5-year interior design or architecture program and have at least one year of practical experience in interior design, or graduation from a 4-year interior design or architecture program and have at least 2 years of practical experience in interior design, or have completed 3 years of an interior design program and have at least 3 years of practical experience in interior design, or graduation from a 2-year interior design program and have at least 4 years of practical experience in interior design.2). Successful completion of the NCIDQ examination or the Council for the Qualification of Residential Interior Designers (CQRID) examination and the Building and Barrier Free Codes section of the NCIDQ examination . A "Wisconsin registered interior designer" is a person registered by the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing under chapter 440, subchapter IX, Wis. Stats. "Interior design" means the design of interior spaces in conformity with public health, safety and welfare requirements, including the preparation of documents relating to space planning, finish materials, furnishings, fixtures and equipment and the preparation of documents relating to interior construction that does not substantially affect the mechanical or structural systems of a building. "Interior design" does not include services that constitute the practice of architecture or the practice of professional engineering. No person may use the title "Wisconsin registered interior designer", use any title or description that implies that he or she is a Wisconsin registered interior designer or represent himself or herself to be a Wisconsin registered interior designer unless the person is registered as a Wisconsin registered interior designer under chapter 440, subchapter IX, Wis. Stats.

See INTERIOR DESIGN COALITIONS

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