Reform Legislation in Florida Empowers Interior Designers
HB 1193 Deregulation of Professions & Occupations, Signed Into Law on June 30 by Governor DeSantis, Supports Registered Interior Designers, Proving Value of the Profession and its Practitioners
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and IIDA have successfully advocated on behalf of interior designers in the state of Florida as the Deregulation of Professions & Occupations Bill was signed into law on June 30, 2020 by Governor Ron DeSantis. Together with the support of the state’s design community and colleague organizations, such as the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), ASID and IIDA ensured the inclusion of compromise language that maintains the integrity of the interior design profession and the safety of the public through a newly formed state interior design voluntary registry. Further, the reform encourages entry and continuation in the profession, in keeping with Governor DeSantis’ wish to streamline occupational regulations in the state.
“We are thrilled to have worked with our counterparts at IIDA and others in the Florida design community to promote commercial interior design business rights,” says Gary Wheeler, FASID, Interim CEO of ASID. “The Act’s acknowledgment of interior designers not only affords them the rights and privileges worthy of their studies, experience, and businesses but also guarantees the safety of public building clients and occupants for whom they design. We’re grateful to the Governor, Senator Ben Albritton, Representative Blaise Ingoglia, and the entire Florida Legislature for recognizing the power design—and designers—have to impact lives.”
“The advocacy efforts of IIDA and our partners at ASID have always been about promoting reasonable regulations for interior designers without hindering opportunity for anyone working within the design profession,” says IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “We are excited that this reform in Florida allows interior design practice rights while eliminating unnecessary burdens, thus creating better public policy.”
Thanks to these successful aforementioned lobbying efforts, the law maintains:
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The title “Registered Interior Designer” for qualified designers
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The interior design positions on the Board of Architecture & Interior Design
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The interior design construction document stamp for plan review
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“Registered Interior designers” within the statutory definition of “registered design professional”
Under the new law, the reasonable and more narrowly tailored regulation of commercial interior designers will continue. The reform’s primary change is the establishment of a registration, which will replace a mandatory license, for commercial interior designers who wish to practice independently with use of their own construction document stamp. It further clarifies that state regulation is not required to perform all forms of interior design and interior decorator services. These changes will go into effect on July 1, 2020.
 About ASID
The American Society of Interior Designers believes that design transforms lives. ASID serves the full range of the interior design profession and practice through the Society’s programs, networks, and advocacy. We thrive on the strength of cross-functional and interdisciplinary relationships among designers of all specialties, including workplace, healthcare, retail and hospitality, education, institutional, and residential. We lead interior designers in shared conversations around topics that matter: from evidence-based and human-centric design to social responsibility, well-being, and sustainability. We showcase the impact of design on the human experience and the value interior designers provide.
ASID was founded over 40 years ago when two organizations became one, but its legacy dates back to the early 1930s. As we celebrate nearly 85 years of industry leadership, we are leading the future of interior design, continuing to integrate the advantages of local connections with national reach, of small firms with big, and of the places we live with the places we work, play, and heal. Learn more at asid.org.
About IIDA
IIDA is the commercial interior design association with a global reach. We support design professionals, industry affiliates, educators, students, firms, and their clients through our network of 15,000+ members across 58 countries. We advocate for advancements in education, design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation, and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of interior design as a profession that enhances business value and positively impacts the health and well-being of people’s lives every day. www.iida.org
