Why should interior designers be registered or licensed?

The interior design of structures and environments significantly affects the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Licensure establishes standards of minimum competency, including education, experience and examination, which are enforceable.

• Licensure ensures that qualified individuals design interior spaces.

• By providing a legal definition of the scope of practice, legislation helps consumers differentiate the responsibilities and services of each of the design professions. It allows consumers to choose the appropriate professional and brings the benefit of open competition to the design process.

• Legal recognition enables a state or jurisdiction to discipline an interior designer. Without the ability to regulate and discipline a profession, a jurisdiction cannot protect the public.

• Professional recognition of interior designers benefits and protects the public in other ways.

• It provides standards of practice embodied in an enforceable code of ethics, which incorporates professional fiduciary responsibilities. It allows consumers a mean of addressing grievances with interior designers and prevents unethical designers from continuing practice.

• Currently 18 states and jurisdictions have licensing or registration requirements for interior design practitioners that require them to meet or exceed and accepted level of accredited education.

For more information regarding licensure in Texas, contact www.tbae.state.tx.us.