Legislation Efforts
Update on our current legislation initiatives.
Where We Are
The current legislation regulating Registered Interior Designers (RIDs) in Alabama allows design professionals to seal construction documents for commercial projects under the following conditions:
Project area limited to 5,000 square feet
No assembly occupancies
No healthcare or education occupancies
You can read the current legislation, The Code of Alabama 1975 Title 34 Section 15C “Alabama Interior Design Registration Act of 2010”, at the button below.
Where We Are Going
Alabama has been a national leader in advancing legislation for interior design practice. Our design professionals are continuing that legacy by advocating for expanded opportunities in Alabama that align with their education, experience, and qualifications.
Since the passage of Alabama’s initial registration law, the NCIDQ Examination, which establishes those professional qualifications, has evolved significantly:
1991: ADA compliance requirements added.
2001: IBC code content introduced.
2010: Exam became fully focused on Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW), with an emphasis on IBC codes.
Today: The exam covers ADA compliance, occupant load calculations, life safety elements, and foundational mechanical, electrical, and structural systems knowledge.
Much of this progress traces back to Alabama’s pioneering Interior Design Law of 2001, which inspired NCIDQ to adopt a stronger, code-based focus.
Building on that foundation, CIDQ has issued model legislation that the Alabama Interior Design Coalition (AIDC) intends to use as a guideline for updating Alabama’s law. These updates will better reflect the current NCIDQ testing standards and their alignment with Architect Registration Examination (ARE) standards.
These changes represent an important step toward aligning Alabama’s Interior Design Law with the current standards of professional practice and public safety. To better understand AIDC’s perspective and the reasoning behind these proposed updates, review our in-depth Position Paper below.
Goals of the Legislative Updates
Building on these national standards, AIDC’s proposed legislative updates focus on several key goals designed to strengthen the profession and clarify its role within Alabama’s building industry.
1. Align the practice of Interior Design in Alabama with national standards.
2. Clearly define the scope of Interior Design practice.
3. Establish appropriate limitations on the practice.
4. Align as closely as possible with CIDQ’s model legislation.
5. Eliminate square footage and occupancy restrictions on sealing privileges for Registered Interior Designers.
Together, these goals form the foundation for legislation that more accurately reflects the training, responsibility, and professional capabilities of Registered Interior Designers in Alabama. To see how these goals are reflected in the proposed updates, review the draft legislation below.
Myths vs Facts
As conversations about professional legislation continue, it’s essential that information about interior design practice remains clear, factual, and accurate. Misinformation can easily cloud the discussion, so we’ve outlined a few common myths and facts to help clarify how Alabama’s Registered Interior Designers truly contribute to safe, code-compliant environments.
MYTH. Registered Interior Designers CAN seal construction documents in Alabama but only under specific limitations set by the current state law. Here’s how it works under the Alabama Interior Design Registration Act (as of now):
✅ RIDs may seal and submit construction documents for non-structural interior projects that meet all of the following criteria:
Project area is 5,000 square feet or less.
The space is not used for assembly, healthcare, or educational purposes.
The work is limited to interior, non-load-bearing elements (e.g., partitions, finishes, furnishings, interior lighting, etc).
❌ RIDs cannot seal or submit construction documents for:
Assembly occupancies (e.g., restaurants, churches, theaters).
Healthcare or educational facilities.
Projects over 5,000 square feet.
Any work involving structural, mechanical, or load-bearing systems beyond their professional scope.
FACT. Many U.S. states do recognize and rely on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Examination as the standard for professional competency in interior design.
In fact: Over 30 U.S. states and jurisdictions (plus several Canadian provinces) use NCIDQ certification as part of their licensing or registration requirements for interior designers. It is widely regarded as the industry benchmark for verifying knowledge of health, safety, and welfare (HSW) in interior practice.
MYTH. The NCIDQ Examination does address building codes and systems. In fact, that’s one of its core focuses.
Here’s why: Since 2001, the NCIDQ Exam has included International Building Code (IBC) content. In 2010, it became 100% focused on Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW), which includes:
Building and fire codes
ADA compliance
Occupant load and egress calculations
Life safety systems
Mechanical, electrical, and structural coordination (at a non-engineering level)
So, the idea that the NCIDQ exam does not cover building codes or systems is a myth; it’s actually built around them.
FACT. Many states do allow Registered Interior Designers (RIDs) to have permitting privileges. This means they can seal and submit construction documents for interior projects within their defined scope of practice.
Here’s some context: States such as Florida, Texas, Georgia, Nevada, and Louisiana, among others, grant RIDs the ability to sign and seal drawings for non-structural interior projects. The exact limits (e.g., project type, square footage, or occupancy) vary by state, but the recognition of permitting authority for qualified RIDs is well established.
MYTH. There is no evidence that the public has suffered or been placed at risk due to Registered Interior Designers (RIDs) exercising their permitting privileges in Alabama.
In fact: RIDs are trained and tested specifically in health, safety, and welfare (HSW) topics through the NCIDQ Examination, which includes building codes, ADA compliance, life safety, and systems coordination.
The Alabama Board of Registered Interior Designers (ABRID) has no record of disciplinary actions or public safety incidents resulting from RID-permitted projects.
How You Can Help
Updating Alabama’s Interior Design Law isn’t just about expanding professional privilege; it’s about ensuring that qualified experts can contribute fully to safe, efficient, and code-compliant environments. If you’re interested in supporting this effort, here are a few ways to get involved:
Join AIDC → Every member helps show our legislators that we care!
Join a committee → Email us to see which committee fits best with your experience and interest.
Start the conversation within your firm and professional network.
Engage with industry partners and consultants.
Contact your legislator when prompted; see resources below.
Show up in Montgomery when called upon; your presence matters!
To hear more about why these legislative updates matter and how they impact Alabama’s design community, listen to our conversation with Andrew Aho, IIDA Alabama Vice President of Advocacy. In this podcast, Andrew discusses the importance of modernizing our Interior Design Law and what these changes mean for Registered Interior Designers and the public alike.
Additional Resources
Find Your Local Legislator
Reach out to your local legislator to voice your support for Registered Interior Designers in Alabama!
Letter Template
Use the template below as a guide for your letter to your legislator!
2026 NCIDQ Exam Blueprints
Following insights from the recent Practice Analysis study, CIDQ has introduced new exam blueprints that will be implemented in 2026.
2026 NCIDQ Building Codes
The 2026 NCDIQ will test applicants on a variety of codes from the IBC, IRC, IPC, and ICC. For a full list of codes, see the link below.