09-02-20
Commenter: Debbie Voss, CID, LEED AP
SUPPORT Continued Regulation of Interior Design in Virginia
My name is Debbie Voss. I am a Certified Interior Designer in Richmond, Virginia. I write this comment in STRONG support of the continued regulation of the interior design profession in Virginia. I am a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a BS in interior design. Having passed the national standards of testing with NCIDQ and with LEED, I am proud that Virginia maintains a standard for my profession with Certification.
Eliminating regulation of interior design would harm Virginia Certified Interior Designers, interior design small business’s (many of which are owned by women and minorities) and other professional and design firms that employ interior designers.
Certification of interior designers in Virginia is not a practice law. No one is prohibited from practicing as an interior designer. Certified Interior Designer (CID) is a title. Those holding the title are held to a higher professional standard. While only certified interior designers may use the title “Certified”, any individual may contract with a client to render services as an interior designer, interior decorator or similar practitioner if the client so chooses. In January 2012, commission members targeted interior designers for decertification, citing it as a reduction of barriers to business. This is simply not true.
Certification, which is voluntary, ensures a level of competence through education, experience and examination. Certified interior designers are required to know handicapped-accessibility requirements, toxicity requirements for interior finishes, ergonomics, building and fire codes and other laws and regulations that are essential to the safe construction of public & other code-regulated buildings. This knowledge minimizes liability risk for clients and protects the public.
Decertification will negatively impact the health, safety and welfare of Virginia citizens. It will add costs to the state and destroy many small businesses and professional advancement opportunities.
Eliminating the voluntary regulation of interior design in Virginia is bad public policy. Continued regulation is vital to the practice, profession, industry, consumers, and to the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
I ask that you KEEP the regulation of the Interior Design profession in Virginia.
Sincerely,
Debbie Voss