SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6194

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Trade, February 5, 2004

Title: An act relating to protecting the title of interior design.

Brief Description: Regulating interior designers.

Sponsors: Senators Mulliken and Keiser.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 1/30/04, 2/5/04 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6194 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Honeyford, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Franklin, Keiser and Mulliken.

Staff: John Dziedzic (786-7784)

Background: Interior design involves consultation with clients and the preparation and administration of design documents (drawings, specifications, etc.) relating to the nonstructural and nonseismic interior elements of a building.

Summary of Substitute Bill: A system of registering applicants as interior designers is established within the Department of Licensing (DOL). Applicants qualify for registration by paying a fee and providing evidence of (a) recognition by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), and (b) six years of combined work experience and formal education, two years of which must be formal education. Applicants recognized by NCIDQ as of the effective date of the bill, and those registered in another state with substantially equivalent requirements may also be registered. Applicants may qualify without NCIDQ recognition by providing evidence of 15 years of combined experience and formal education by July 1, 2007, including two years of formal education.

To remain registered, interior designers must renew their registrations periodically, as determined by DOL, and must complete ten hours of continuing education course work every two years.

After July 1, 2007, only a registered interior designer may use the title of interior designer. Completed plans prepared by a registered interior designer must be signed, sealed, and dated by the registered interior designer.

Interior design does not affect the practice of architecture or engineering.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The definition of the scope of work of an interior designer is modified. The date after which the title of interior designer is covered by the bill, and the date by which persons may qualify without NCIDQ recognition is July 1, 2007. The requirement that state and local building officials must accept for filing design documents prepared by an interior designer is deleted.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The public should know whether the person preparing interior design documents is qualified. Interior designers do not limit the scope of their advice to matters of esthetics, but also consult with regard to accessibility issues, fire and safety code matters, etc. People who are currently recognized by the national association should not be required to go back and obtain additional formal training.

Testimony Against: This not just a "title protection" act, it also includes practice provisions. The scope of what is within the purview of an interior causes concerns to architects and engineers.

Testified: PRO: Susan Stanfield, Thomas Nielsen, Jackie Hanson, Christina Stewart, IDCW; Chris Johnson (with concern); CON: Mary Mauerman, AIA; Cliff Webster, AELC.