22 states plus the District of Columbia
have state-imposed regulation of interior design
ALABAMA
Type of Act: Reverted back to Title Act after the Practice act was declared unconstitutional by the Alabama Supreme Court, 2007
Title: “Interior Designer”/”Registered Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 60 quarters or 48 tri-semester credit hours/4 years for the registered level
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ and an additional exam to be offered by the Board for the registered level Grandfather
Year Passed: Title Act: 1982 Practice Act: 2001
ARKANSAS
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Registered Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 4 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Grandfather Clause: Expired 12/31/95 (Reopened, expired 12/31/98)
Year Passed: 1993, amended 1997
CONNECTICUT
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Interior Designer” (Legal challenge pending)
Post-HS Education Required: Follows NCIDQ requirements
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1983, amended 1987
FLORIDA
Type of Act: Title/Practice Act
Title: “Interior Designer”
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: Title Act: 1988, amended 1989; Practice Act: 1994
GEORGIA
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Registered Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 4 years or first professional degree
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 4 years (no experience specified)
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1992, amended 1994
ILLINOIS
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Registered Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1990, amended 1994 and 2008
IOWA
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Registered Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 2005
KENTUCKY
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Certified Interior Designer”
Total Education Plus Experience Required: To become certified in Kentucky prior to January 1, 2009 interior designer must have a total of seven years of interior design education and experience. After this time, interior designers will need a minimum of a four year degree from a FIDER accredited school and two years of interior design experience.
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 2002
LOUISIANA
Type of Act: Title/Practice Act
Title: “Registered Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: Title Act: 1984, amended 1990, 1995, 1997; Practice Act: 1999
MAINE
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Certified Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 4 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1993
MARYLAND
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Certified Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 4 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1991, amended 1997
MINNESOTA
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Certified Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: Board determined
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1992, amended 1995
MISSOURI
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Registered Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1998
NEVADA
Type of Act: Title/Practice Act
Title: “Registered Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 4 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1995
NEW JERSEY
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Certified Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 2002
NEW MEXICO
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Licensed Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1989
NEW YORK
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Certified Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 7 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1990
OKLAHOMA
Type of Act: Title
Title: “Interior Designer” (legal challenge pending)
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 2006
TENNESSEE
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Registered Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1991, amended 1995, amended 1997
TEXAS
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Interior Designer” (legal challenge pending)
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1991
VIRGINIA
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Certified Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 4 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1990, amended 1994
WASHINGTON, DC
Type of Act: Title/Practice Act
Title: “Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years (as required by NCIDQ to take exam)
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ
Year Passed: 1986
WISCONSIN
Type of Act: Title Act
Title: “Wisconsin Registered Interior Designer”
Post-HS Education Required: 2 years
Total Education Plus Experience Required: 6 years
Examination Required: NCIDQ