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"You should be an interior designer.” How many times
have you heard that when someone walks into your home and sees the beautifully
decorated rooms? Or how many times have you watched the professionals on home
and garden programs, or flipped through a magazine, and thought, “I could do
that!”
With the proliferation of TV shows, magazine, books and online
sources these days, it seems like almost anyone can call themselves an interior
designer or decorator. However, what many people may not realize is that in
order to be considered an interior designer in most states, you need to hold a
license, or at least be registered with the appropriate regulatory agencies.
Reasons
for Regulation
If you’re not familiar with the interior design profession,
you might be thinking, “Why do designers need to be licensed? Aren’t they just
choosing furniture and decorating rooms?” And while yes, those tasks are
certainly part of the equation, they are just the tip of the iceberg.
Professional interior designers do more than just paint and hang
curtains, especially when they are hired for a major remodeling job. Designers
need to have a fundamental understanding of the principles of architecture, as
well as building codes, plumbing, electrical work and other regulations, in
order to manage projects. Without that knowledge, the outcome could be
dangerous -- even disastrous. Requiring those who carry the designation
“interior designer” to meet certain requirements helps to protect consumers,
and ensure that buildings meet the minimum safety standards set by the
government.
State
Laws
Each state has its own laws and regulations regarding the
practice of interior design – and about half don’t have any laws at all.
However, of those that do have laws, most place strict restrictions on who can
use the term interior designer and some actually limit the practice of interior
design to those who meet the state licensing requirements.
To determine your state’s requirements, contact the
licensing authority, or the American Society of Interior Designers, a professional
organization that maintains a comprehensive listing of state requirements.
Getting
Certified
Qualifying for licensure in interior design is much like
earning a license in other fields. You can only qualify for the designation
after meeting strict education, experience and testing prerequisites.
Of the states that do regulate the profession, most require
at least two years of education in interior design; some states, including
Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada and Virginia,
actually require four years. Some states specify a minimum number of years of
combined education and experience, but all states require at least six years of
experience.
In addition to completing an education at one of the
accredited interior design colleges, most states require
licensed interior designers to pass an examination covering the fundamentals of
the profession. The most commonly required exam is the National Council for
Interior Design Qualification exam, a multi-day exam that’s limited to those
who hold a degree and have a minimum number of years of experience.
While the NCIDQ is generally required by state licensing
boards, there are other certifications that designers can seek within their
areas of specialization. For example, those who work in the kitchen and bath
design field, and meet the education, experience and training requirements, can
seek the National Kitchen and Bath Association certification, while those who
work exclusively in residential interior design can seek certification through
the Council for Qualification of Residential Interior Designers.
A growing field of design is “green,” or environmentally
friendly design, and experienced designers can seek certification in that area
as well. The National Association of Green Designers sponsors a certification
for those who specialize in eco-friendly design, the Certified Green Designer
designation, which indicates the designers’ commitment to environmentally
friendly design and use of sustainable materials.
Of course, completing all of the licensing requirements for
your state doesn’t always mean you are licensed for as long as you practice.
Most states require continuing education or professional development courses to
keep the license current.
In the end, states enact certification and licensing
requirements to protect both consumers and designers. Earning the right to call
yourself an interior designer is a major achievement, and one that all
designers and students should take seriously.
Image
from Flickr’s Creative Commons
Yvette
Conolly is an award-winning licensed interior designer. The owner of a
successful residential design firm, she serves as an advisor to aspiring
designers. Her work has been featured in several magazines.
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