Advocacy

IIDA NY is dedicated to advancing the rights of interior designers to practice to their fullest abilities in the State of New York. The Vice Presidents of Advocacy and the Advocacy Committee work to monitor legislation that could affect the practice of interior design, pass new legislation that benefits the interior design profession and the public and educate lawmakers, interior designers and consumers about the issues confronting the interior design profession. The Committee has formed a solid alliance with ASID, with the knowledge and support of CIDQ, coming together to move forward future advocacy initiatives. Interior design law and regulation helps establish and maintain professional standards that protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public. IIDA NY firmly believes that legal recognition, achieved through licensing, registration and certification, brings uniformity to the profession, defines responsibility and encourages excellence in the interior design industry.

Become a New York State Certified Interior Designer

Begin with NCIDQ Certification, the industry’s recognized standard of proficiency in interior design principles and the designer’s commitment to the profession. IIDA NY supports interior designers in pursuing NCIDQ certification. Click here to learn more about our Professional Development.

For more information visit the CIDQ website.

Once you pass the NCIDQ it’s time to register with the State of New York.
For more information on becoming certified please click here: NYS Interior Design

Thinking of a career in interior design?
State certification requires more education and experience than NCIDQ. Prospective students should become familiar with these requirements before selecting a program in interior design.

The Role of Interior Designers

In short, Interior design encompasses the analysis, planning, design, documentation, and management of interior non-structural/non-seismic construction and alteration projects in compliance with applicable building design and construction, fire, life-safety, and energy codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines for the purpose of obtaining a building permit, as allowed by law. Qualified by means of education, experience, and examination, interior designers have a moral and ethical responsibility to protect consumers and occupants through the design of code-compliant, accessible, and inclusive interior environments that address well-being, while considering the complex physical, mental, and emotional needs of people. (courtesy CIDQ)

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Consortium for Interior Design

The Consortium for Interior Design is a collaboration of The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) in pursuit of reasonable regulation of the interior design profession.

They all share the belief that the current state of interior design regulation should reflect the true impact of certified interior designers in protecting public health, safety, and well-being. However, many states currently do not recognize this. Learn more about what efforts are being done to change this.

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The current law is a Title Act. This is a voluntary certification that gives interior designers who meet state requirements the right to call themselves a “Certified Interior Designer”. It does not allow for permitting privileges. Being certified with the state distinguishes your skill set from others as a professional who is educated on designing code compliant spaces. The term “Interior Designer” in New York is not regulated, meaning anyone can call themselves an interior designer, but not a “Certified Interior Designer.”  

    8301 Use of the title “Certified Interior Designer”.

    Only a person certified pursuant to this article may use the title “certified interior designer”. Authorization contained within this article to use the title “certified interior designer” shall not be construed to permit the practice of engineering, as described in article one hundred forty-five of this title, or the practice of architecture, as described in article one hundred forty-seven of this title, by persons not otherwise authorized to engage in such practices.

    For additional information: NYS Interior Design

  • Under Tax Bulletin ST-400 (TB-ST-400), sales and use taxes apply to interior design and interior decorating services. In summary, design services requiring free-standing furniture, artwork or staging are taxable. Space planning services without a building permit required are taxable. For clients who are tax exempt (not for profit, etc.), sales tax does not apply.

    Tax Law Quick Guide: 

    (This is based on IIDANY’s interpretation of the law and is meant as a broad overview only. All services should be reviewed with a legal professional.)

    • Services that may not be taxable:

      • Programming, “furnish ability” plans to verify program fits within the space, or floor plans/designs on a project requiring a building permit is not taxable if done by an architect or an interior designer working with an architect.

      • Design aesthetic selections and direction under Masterspec Divisions that are governed by the New York State Uniform Fire Protection and Building Code on a project requiring a building permit is not taxable if done by an architect or an interior designer working with an architect.

    • Services that may be taxable no matter what your profession:

      • Services that do not require a building permit.

      • Using the term “space planning” and the project doesn’t require a building permit.

      • Renderings for projects that are in the feasibility stage and do not require a building permit.

      • When lighting selections are made and the project doesn’t require a building permit.

      • Repair, maintenance, or servicing of real property, such as the repainting or wallcovering of existing interior spaces – selections for a project not requiring a building permit.

      • When free-standing furniture, artwork, or staging is provided whether a building permit is required or not.

    Refer to the Tax Law

    www.tax.ny.gov/pubs_and_bulls/tg_bulletins/st/inte_deco_and_design_serv.htm

  • No, the State does not currently require continuing education. Professional and Associate members of IIDA have continuing education requirements. Refer to the Academy FAQ: CEUs and Continuing Education section for more information NCIDQ Certificate holders and ASID members have their own requirements.

  • Keeping your NCIDQ certificate active (renewed) provides you with the opportunity to use the appellation “NCIDQ”. Use the NCIDQ appellation to display your professionalism, expertise, and commitment. Be included in a searchable public directory of NCIDQ Certified interior designers, available to prospective clients. A current certificate holder can obtain proof of exam passage by contacting CIDQ and requesting the documentation to submit with their registration application. Have your verified information provided to any regulatory board you wish. If your certificate is not current you will need to pay a reinstatement fee to obtain documentation.

    For more information please visit: https://www.cidq.org/certificate-renewal

  • Current Legislative Objectives

    • Align New York State interior design education requirements with those of CIDQ

    Grassroots Efforts

    • Increase the number of Certified Interior Designers in our State

    • Continuously inform and educate the public, clients, colleagues, and legislators about the issues surrounding the interior design profession.

    • Continue to collaborate with our fellow AIA and PE Colleagues

    Long Term Objectives

    • Commercial Interior Designer practice act, Define scope of practice and include stamp and seal  

    • Address state contracting issues

    • Elimination and/or clarification of the Interior Decorating and Design Services Sales Tax

    • Inclusion of Certified Interior Designers as “Design Professionals”, permitting Certified Interior Designers to own a majority of a design professional service corporation

    • Rename title and provide appellation within the law. “Registered Interior Designer,” “RID” or “Registered Commercial Interior Designer,” “RCID”

    • Work on your elevator speech – what does an interior designer do? 

    • Take the NCIDQ exam and become a Certified Interior Designer in New York

    • Become a member of IIDA 

      • Become a committee member for advocacy in NYS

      • Attend and plan advocacy events

    • Become familiar with the state interior design laws and know the issues interior designers face

    • Know who your state and local legislators are (remember they care about their constituents!)

      • Follow them on social media

      • Build a relationship with your legislator

    For more information or to get involved in the IIDANY Advocacy Committee contact us

  • If you have passed the NCIDQ and have not applied with the state please do so! There are advantages to becoming a Certified Interior Designer:

    • Use of the title “Certified Interior Designer” in addition to your NCIDQ appellation.

    • Clients recognize that a qualified interior designer will have the proper education and training and understand the relevant health, safety and welfare codes set by the State of NY in order to design an effective space.

    • You are more likely to have a higher salary and be promoted. Most if not all Senior Level Staff, Associates, Principles and Partners in firms are registered and/or licensed design professionals.

    • Want to start your own business? Certification makes you marketable and identifies you as an expert. This attracts clients and increases their confidence in you.

    • Reinforces to the public that Certified Interior Designers are on the same playing field as other licensed design professionals in their area of expertise.

    • Educates consumers on our profession and the standards the State holds for Certified Interior Designers.

    • Being certified contributes to the advancement of our field.

    Most Importantly

    • We can only convince legislators to fight for our rights when we have strength in numbers. This means we need more Certified Interior Designers in order to pass new legislation.

    Once we have strength in numbers we have more voices to speak to the issues of our profession. 

Stay Informed

Join the IIDANY Advocacy Committee or contact us to be the first to hear of any urgent New York interior design advocacy news or updates, and to show your support for the interior design profession.

For more information or to get involved in the IIDANY Advocacy Committee.

Contact us