Interior Designer Licensing

Although no formal national interior designer licensing exists, certification through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification has become a common requirement for interior designers.

Many consumers are unsure of the difference between an interior decorator and interior designer. An interior decorator works only with finishes, such as fabric, paint, and wallpaper, as well as furniture. The education of an interior decorator varies widely; a professional decorator may possess a degree in interior design, a related discipline, or no degree at all.

An interior designer has usually obtained some formal education in interior design. He is required not only to have the aesthetic sense of a decorator, but should also be formally trained to create construction documents and interpret building codes. The interior designer should be confident making significant changes to the space, such as the addition or subtraction of non-load bearing walls.

Interior designers have no national licensing requirements, although some states have specific educational requirements in order to practice. However, most interior design firms require that their interior designers obtain a certificate from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. In order to obtain a certificate from this organization, interior designers must complete both academic courses and serve in an apprenticeship program to obtain work experience. Then the interior designer will take a test that covers all areas of the profession. If the interior designer passes these requirements, he will receive a certificate.

Before taking the certification examination, a potential interior designer must have completed at least two years of formal education at an accredited interior design school. Most interior design professionals complete at least a four year interior design degree before obtaining certification. Some interior designers may also complete graduate work before taking the examination.

After their educational experience is completed, interior designers complete several years of apprenticing under the supervision of a certified interior designer. The required length of the apprenticeship is affected by the amount of interior design education the designer has completed prior to his internship.

• Interior designers with four or five years of interior design education are required to complete two years of an internship program.
• Interior designers with three years completed in a licensed interior design program are required to complete three years in an apprenticeship program.
• Interior designers with a two year degree are required to complete four years of full time employment with an interior design program.

An interior design internship is much more intensive than other types of internships required by other professions and is carefully regulated. Formally known as the Interior Design Experience Program (IDEP), a checklist of specific skills must be met during the apprenticeships years. An interior designer will be required to complete all of the work that a certified interior designer might while being closely supervised by a superior who will verify that each item on the checklist has been completed adequately.

While certified interior designers are not required by many states, certified interior designers are preferred by many consumers. Certification ensures that the interior designer has at least six years of varied experience within the design field. The designer will have worked on numerous projects during this time that vary in scope and difficulty. For designers without certification, it may be difficult to assess the quality of their experience within the field, regardless of the number of years they have worked as a designer.

For designers without certification, references and a stellar portfolio become even more essential. Many older interior designers may not be certified because certification was not available when they began their careers. However, a younger interior designer without formal certification may be a red flag that they are not particularly trained or committed to their profession.

Interior designer licensing is a useful tool for choosing a professional, but a certificate will not necessarily ensure quality. If you would like to hire an interior designer, consider contacting the local chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. This organization will be able to provide a list of certified interior designers in good standing within the profession, qualified for home interior design.

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