INTERIOR DESIGN

Interior Design is a profession concerned with anything that is found inside a space - walls, windows, doors, finishes, textures, light, furnishings and furniture. All of these elements are used by interior designers to develop a functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing space for a building's user.

The work of an interior designer draws upon many disciplines including environmental psychology, architecture, product design, and traditional decoration (aesthetics and cosmetics). They plan the spaces of almost every type of building including: hotels, corporate spaces, schools, hospitals, private residences, shopping malls, restaurants, theaters, and airport terminals. Today, interior designers must be attuned to architectural detailing including floor plans, home renovations, and construction codes. Some interior designers are architects too!
Training

In order to achieve status as a professional interior designer (in the United States) the National Council of Interior Design Qualification in conjunction with the Interior Design Educators Council and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)has developed a process by which individuals may attain education, monitored training and confirmation of a baseline knowledge of the requirements of the profession. Within the United States there are 22 states, plus the District of Columbia, which have some form of interior design regulation. In regulated states, the National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) administers a licensing exam.

To be eligible to take the exam, a candidate must have a minimum of six years of combined education and experience in the field, where at least two years include postsecondary education. Once the examination has been successfully taken, the designer may indicate that they are an NCIDQ certificate holder. Interior design laws vary greatly across the United States, and in some states, NCIDQ certification is required in order for the designer to call themselves a Certified, Registered, or Licensed Interior Designer. The License, Certification and Registration of an Interior Designer are superfluous to the postsecondary education received.

These accreditations are administered and awarded within the Interior Design field and not necessary for preparing construction drawings, applying for building permits or supervising construction. In almost all states, however, there are no minimum qualifications for anyone to call themselves an interior designer or practice interior design. Continuing education is required by some states as part of maintaining a license. Maintaining an Interior Design license differs from a License to practice given to design prfessionals such as Engineers and Architects. A License to practice can be revoked by State and boards so that a professional would not be allowed to continue to practice in his or her profession under penalty of law. An interior design license is not recognized by any government body as a requirement to practice interior design.