BILL REQ. #:  S-0597.3 



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SENATE BILL 5754
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State of Washington59th Legislature2005 Regular Session

By Senators Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Brown, Deccio and Rasmussen

Read first time 02/04/2005.   Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development.



     AN ACT Relating to protecting the title of registered interior designer; adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   In order to safeguard human health, safety, and property, and to promote public welfare, any person in either a public or private capacity using the title of registered interior designer is required to submit evidence that he or she is qualified under the provisions of section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Department" means the department of licensing.
     (2) "Registered interior designer" means a person registered under this chapter who is a registered design professional qualified by education, experience, and examination.
     (3) "Registration" means the certificate of registration issued by the department to an interior designer under this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) An applicant may qualify for registration as a registered interior designer if the applicant pays any applicable fee established by the department and shows to the satisfaction of the department that the applicant:
     (a)(i) Has a current certificate number issued by the national council for interior design qualification; and
     (ii) Has six years' combined work experience and formal education in interior design from an accredited degree program. At a minimum, there must be two years of formal education in interior design. The curriculum for formal education in interior design should encompass: Manual and computer-aided design, two and three-dimensional design, design and composition fundamentals, color theory, building systems, material, finishes and specifications, codes and ordinances, presentation skills, and business practices and management. Hours of experience must be distributed among six competency areas: Programming, schematic design, design development, contract documents, contract administration, and professional practice; or
     (b) Has provided the department, by July 1, 2007, with proof of fifteen years of work experience as an interior designer and two years of formal education in interior design.
     (2) The department may also grant registration by reciprocity. An applicant applying to the department for registration by reciprocity must furnish satisfactory evidence that the applicant holds both a:
     (a) Valid registration or license issued by another registration authority recognized by the department, where the qualifications for registration or licensure are substantially equivalent to those required by this chapter on the date of original registration or licensure with the other registration authority; and
     (b) Current certificate number issued by the national council for interior design qualification.
     (3) The department shall develop by rule the necessary forms to use in verifying education and work experience for registration.
     (4) The fees charged by the department must cover the costs of establishing and maintaining the registration program in accordance with RCW 43.24.086.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The department shall grant a certificate of registration to an applicant who meets the requirements of section 3 of this act beginning July 1, 2006. After July 1, 2007, a person may not use the title "registered interior designer" in this state or any other title, designation, sign, card, or device indicating that the person is a registered interior designer unless he or she is registered under this chapter. Every holder of a certificate of registration under this chapter must display it in a conspicuous place in the holder's principal office, place of business, or employment. No corporation, firm, partnership, or association may be granted a certificate of registration under this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The renewal date for certificates of registration shall be set by the department by rule. A registered interior designer who fails to pay the renewal fee within thirty days of the due date shall pay all delinquent renewal fees, plus a penalty equal to one-third of the renewal fee. A registered interior designer who fails to pay a renewal fee for a period of five years may be reinstated under such circumstances as the department determines by rule. The department must adopt the renewal fees, penalty fees, and the frequency of renewal by rule.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   An interior designer registered under this chapter must complete ten hours of continuing education instruction every two years. The department shall develop by rule a form to verify continuing education.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   The department may issue a new certificate of registration to replace a lost, destroyed, or mutilated certificate. The director must charge a fee as determined by RCW 43.24.086 for the issuance of the new certificate.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   (1) A person who violates a provision of this chapter or a rule adopted under it is guilty of a misdemeanor and may also be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars for each offense.
     (2) The department must issue a cease and desist order to any individual who is not registered under this chapter and holds himself or herself out as a "registered interior designer."

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   (1) This chapter does not affect or prevent the practice of architecture under chapter 18.08 RCW or engineering under chapter 18.43 RCW.
     (2) This chapter does not prevent any individual from offering or providing interior design services provided they do not use the title "registered interior designer."
     (3) This chapter does not prevent any individual from using the term "interior designer."

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10   This act may be known and cited as the registered interior designer professionals act of 2005.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11   Sections 1 through 10 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 18 RCW.

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