Committee hears bill to license commercial interior designers, proponents and trade groups back redraft

The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure took testimony on legislation to create a licensure path for commercial interior designers, supporters said, while preserving scope limits that protect public safety.

Proponents said House Bill 324 and Senate Bill 254 would recognize commercial interior design as a distinct profession, establish a board of registration, require demonstrated education and experience and the nationally accredited NCIDQ examination, and allow registered commercial interior designers to perform nonstructural work and, in some cases, meet firm-ownership requirements for public contracting.

"I'm here today to ask for you to favorably report on an act relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design," said Amanda…