Interior design is a misunderstood profession. Women wearing floppy hats and toting overflowing shopping bags stuffed with high-end fabrics purchased for elite clients is a common perception of members of our profession. However, most female and male professional interior designers will reveal that their fedoras of choice on the job are hard hats. Because there is such a disconnect between the reality of our profession and the perception of our profession, we face a tremendous challenge when we attempt to educate legislators about the ways that interior design affects the public’s health, well-being, and safety. As of 2007, 26 U.S. jurisdictions and 8 Canadian provinces legally recognize interior design as a profession that requires minimum standards to protect consumers and occupants of public spaces. The organization that creates the national qualifying examination, NCIDQ, has model legislative language (essentially a guideline for new laws) requiring a minimum four-year degree in interior design from a CIDA-accredited school, plus two years experience working for a certified interior designer. Candidates must pass the national qualifying examination and earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses. Click on the links at left to learn more about the professional associations, the educational programs, and the qualifying examination.

Read about Lisa’s advocacy work in the Interiors & Sources article, “A Force To Reckon With.”