Interior designers win right to receive certification

Interior designers in Indiana, who have been pushing for the chance to become certified, finally got their wish.

Gov. Mitch Daniels signed a bill into law May
12 that state lawmakers passed during the legislative session—five years after supporters introduced
the proposal.

The law
that will take effect July 1 creates an electronic registry for interior designers and establishes certification requirements,
including the completion of a national exam and continuing education units.

With the voluntary certification, designers can show consumers they’ve taken the extra step to
meet their needs and distinguish themselves from interior decorators, supporters said.

"It shows that [interior design] is evolving
and becoming a profession as opposed to a trade," said Roberta Stone, an interior designer near
Fort Wayne who helped lead the effort.

Indiana joins nearly 30 states that have existing certification standards. Stone said Indiana is losing interior design graduates
to other states that already offer some sort of licensing.

Indiana’s registry will be established within the state’s Professional Licensing Agency and could
be ready to begin certifying designers by the end of the year.