My name is Cathryn Wilkinson and I live in Roanoke Virginia . I write this comment in STRONG support of the continued regulation of the interior design profession in Virginia. 

Working and Living in Roanoke Virginia , I own a business that specializes in Senior Living . Basically we design retirement communities . We constantly compete with other firms from other states who have certified interior designers. If the state removes that certification from us it will be difficult to compete for work . I have been a designer in this state now for 25 years taking and passing the exams to become a certified designer was very important to me and to all those that have gone down that road. 

I certainly hope you take into consideration the damage it could do to our profession if you strip Designers of their certification you are then not providing the public with any means to separate the designers that have the knowledge and the decorators that decided one day that they had good taste and thought it would be fun to pick colors. 

Please consider all those that have worked so hard to become certified designers .

Thank you 

Cathryn Wilkinson CID, ASID, LEED Green Associate

Vice President 

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