Learn More About AIDC

Discover the history of legislation in Alabama and our current legislative efforts.

President’s Message

The Alabama Interior Design Legislation allows Interior Design professionals to distinguish themselves by having the “Registered Interior Design” credential. This term lets the public know that this individual has been educated in interior design, passed a national licensing exam and completes mandated Continuing Education hours every year. It protects the health, safety and welfare of the public to have licensed designers working on projects in Alabama.

The Alabama Interior Design Coalition (AIDC) wants you to be informed and involved in your profession. AIDC exists to inform consumers about Interior Design registration and to protect the legislative safeguards of the profession. AIDC is supported by IIDA and ASID both at the state and national levels. This collaboration has been the bedrock of AIDC since its beginning in 1995.

This website provides updates on legislative activity that affects the practice of Interior Design and informs about the ways that you can be involved.

AIDC president — Jim Griffo, AIDC President

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to advocate for the Interior Design profession?

To advocate for interior design means to support, champion, and commend the profession to people, organizations, and legislators. It also means knowing how to communicate what interior designers do to various stakeholders. Public perception influences our practice in many ways, including our legal standing as a professional at both the state and national levels. It also determines access to resources and salaries, and it influences the way we are treated by both clients and colleagues.

As commercial interior designers, we have the opportunity to advocate for legal recognition so that we may expect more from our careers in terms of control, growth, compensation, and project ownership. By participating in direct action and learning how to successfully talk to our legislators about interior design, we can engage with current best practices to promote the industry for both our benefit and that of the public.

What is registration and why does it matter?

After a state legislature passes a law that creates a title of “registered interior designer” (RID), only those who have submitted the necessary education, experience, and examination to the state can call themselves a “RID.” Sometimes these laws also allow RIDs to stamp and seal drawings for permits and/or bid on state projects. In some states, registration is used interchangeably with certification.

Registration ensures public protection because it shows consumers and clients that we have met the minimum standards to call ourselves a RID. Clients can be assured we have the education, examination, and experience necessary to be a professional interior designer. Additionally, registration laws give consumers a venue for the redress of grievances and complaints against RIDs.

Numbers don’t lie. If we want to enhance our state’s interior design legislation, high numbers of RIDs show legislators that registration matters to the profession. Registration shows that interior designers are professionals on par with architects, landscape architects, and engineers for their specific area of expertise.

What are the various types of interior design registration?

There is no standard type of legislation, and terminology can vary widely between states. However, there are three main categories of interior design registration:

Title Act: Protects a certain title such as “Registered Interior Designer” or “Certified Interior Designer” but does not define interior design practice and does not allow for stamp and seal privileges of interior construction documents.

Practice Act: Legally defines the scope and practice of RIDs or CIDs, protects a certain title such as RID or CID, outlines registration requirements for interior designers, and establishes penalties for violations.

Stamp & Seal Privileges: In conjunction with a Practice Act, this allows RIDs the additional ability to sign and seal commercial, code-impacted work in order to be submitted for a construction permit. This type of legislation allows RIDs to perform commercial work independently of an architect, if they so choose, and obtain permits for their own work.

What type of registration do Registered Interior Designers (RIDs) operate under in Alabama and what are the benefits of becoming a RID?

In 1982, Alabama was the first state to pass a Title Act for the registration of interior designers!

The legislation was later revised, and in April 2010, Governor Riley signed HB440, the Practice Act that RIDs in Alabama operate under today. It established the Alabama Board for Registered Interior Designers and continued to protect the title “Registered Interior Designer”. It also defined the scope of practice for RIDs while adding the ability to stamp construction drawings for permitting under certain conditions. Few states have legislation that includes commercial permitting privileges.

Registered Interior Designers in Alabama are able to seal and submit construction documents for commercial interior projects of less than 5,000 contiguous square feet within a building of any size which has a total area of 2,500 square feet or more – as long as it is not a school, church, auditorium, or other building intended for the assembly occupancy of people.

The law also allows RIDs to submit for permitting in single family residential projects of unlimited square footage, and they may use the terms “Registered Interior Designer” or “RID” and/or their State of Alabama registration number on any sign, card, listing, advertising, business name, stationery, or in any other manner.

The terms “Interior Design” and “Interior Designer” continue to be unregulated in Alabama, and the law does not impact an unregistered individual’s ability to provide unregulated interior design services, such as space planning, lighting layouts, the selection of furniture and finishes, etc. These are not restricted to a RID and can be prepared for spaces of unlimited square footage.

Who monitors registration in the state of Alabama and what is required to maintain registration?

Registration by The Alabama Board for Registered Interior Designers (ABRID) is the highest standard of professionalism for interior designers in the State of Alabama.

The ABRID administers the Alabama Interior Design Registration Act of 2010 under Title 54, Section 15C of the Code of Alabama 1975, which establishes a registration process for those interior designers who choose to obtain the credential as a Registered Interior Designer (RID) in the state of Alabama.

The registration term runs from October 1 to September 30 of every year. In order to maintain registration, renewal applications must include payment of a renewal fee established by the board and a signed affidavit showing completion of all continuing education requirements (CEUs). Acceptable continuing education hours include health, safety, and welfare topics and codes and standards courses. See the ABRID website for exact continuing education requirements.

You may be randomly selected for an audit to guarantee CEU compliance. Maintaining accurate records within your IDCEC account helps make this process easy.

What are the steps to become a Registered Interior Designer (RID) in Alabama?

The necessary forms and registration information can be found on the ABRID website in detail.

Applicants must be of good ethical criteria, be at least 21 years of age, and either have passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) or is a registered architect who satisfies eligibility requirements to take the NCIDQ examination.

If you meet the above requirements, you can submit the registration form, a non-refundable fee, and various documents to prove citizenship, education history, degree, and work history to ABRID. The Board will review your application and make a decision on your registration status.

Why should I become a member of Alabama Interior Design Coalition (AIDC)?

AIDC serves as an advocate for RIDs in Alabama. Politics and legislative efforts are on-going, and a year-round presence is necessary for proposing new legislation or preventing potential legislation that may negatively impact our industry. It is imperative that AIDC maintain a visible and vocal presence in Montgomery to safeguard the Practice Act for RIDs and to continue to move our profession forward.

Membership in AIDC, along with state registration, shows legislators that we are serious about our industry. Membership and any fundraisers and events financially support a lobbyist who monitors legislation on our behalf and assists us with any reviews or updates.

AIDC members include practicing professionals from design organizations, unaffiliated independent designers, allied industries, educational members such as faculty teaching interior design programs, and interior design students.

Legislation Timeline

1975

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) founded.

1980’s

Institute of Business Designers is the early predecessor of IIDA. Together with ASID, these two groups were instrumental in developing the registration of interior design.

1982

Alabama was the first state to pass a Title Act for the registration of interior designers.

1994

International Interior Design Association (IIDA) founded.

1995

Alabama Interior Designers began their first campaign for a Practice Act. AIDC founded.

1996

First Practice Act introduced but not passed.

2001

Practice Act passes! The Alabama Interior Design Consumer Protection Act established the Alabama Board of Registration for Interior Design.

2004

In a Florida lawsuit, the courts ruled that the term Interior Designer could not be protected because it was too widely used as a public term.

2005

Jefferson County Circuit Court ruled that the AIDCPA of 2001 was unconstitutional. The courts found the language overly vague but had no issue with intent to regulate for public safety. The ruling was appealed by the Board to the Supreme Court of Alabama.

2006

The law is revised based on the Sunset Committee recommendations to allow a broader range of service for non-registered interior designers.

2007

The Alabama Legislature passed Act 2007-189 which continued the Board until 2008. AIDC was asked to develop new legislation. Supreme Court affirms Circuit Court ruling of 2005.

2009

Proposed new Practice Act legislation. Did not make it to vote in the Senate.

2010

Practice Act Passes! Allows the use of the term “Registered Interior Designer” for individuals who have passed the NCDQ and registered with the State Board. Allows RIDs to seal drawings for permit of up to 5,000sf in non-assembly occupancy. Section 34-15C-1 through -18.

Additional Information

Alabama Board for Registered Interior Designers

Find additional information about registration and CEU requirements at the ABRID website.

ABRID WEBSITE

Find Your Local Legislator

Reach out to your local legislator to voice your support for Registered Interior Designers in Alabama!

LEGISLATOR LOOKUP