ASID Announces Legislative Policies for 2009
The address, acknowledging the effect the downturn economy has had on the industry, pledges ASID's continuous support to its members.
Laurel Petriello -- Interior Design, 3/9/2009 12:00:00 AM
In an effort put concerns to rest that their practices and policies may be harmful to interior designers, Michael Alin, Hon. FASID, executive director of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), recently addressed the society's allied and professional members to clarify their legislative policies for 2009.
The address, acknowledging the effect the downturn economy has had on the industry, pledges the continuous support of ASID to assist members' firms and expand the legal recognition of the interior design profession. Alin also vows the society's efforts to preserve the right to offer design services, as well as ensure interior design services that are considered legal today will remain legal in the future.
ASID’s 2009 legislative policies reflect their commitment to only support interior design legislation that:
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does not restrict anyone from using the title “interior design” or “interior designer”
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does not restrict the practice of interior design not regulated by building code or other statute
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does not prevent individuals from offering services such as selection of colors, materials and finishes or selection and specification of furniture, fixtures, and equipment, so long as those services do not affect building code or other statute
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allows state-qualified interior designers to use the title “registered,” “certified,” or “licensed” interior designer
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creates opportunities for designers to practice to the fullest extent of their abilities
In closing, Alin stressed that ASID is “committted to ensuring the long term growth of the interior design profession and the success” of its members’ businesses. He further states the society is “looking to the future and working to create more opportunities for tomorrow’s designer.”
See a video of Alin's address on the ASID Web site. Members with questions regarding the policies are urged to consult ASID at feedback@asid.org.
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The fact that the legislation they have been promoting requires passage of the NCIDQ is the biggest problem which *will* put most designers out of work. To take the NCIDQ exam, you must go to an "approved" 4 year school, then work for someone who has already passed the exam for 2 years - *before* you can even take the test.
What happens to all the people who didn't go to an accepted school (which there aren't that many of in some states)? What about all the designers who've been working for 20 years, who have won awards, who may have their CMKBD or other professional certification who will suddenly be unable to work (or will have to pay someone else who has passed the NCIDQ to review their work) just because they didn't go to the right school or don't want to now put their business on hold to go work for someone else for 2 years????
Why is it okay that my partner can be a general contractor in the state of Oregon by taking some classes, paying a fee of $100, taking a test and buying insurance - allowing him to actually DO the work of designers - yet the designer would have to pass the NCIDQ with it's stringent requirements to prove they can design the work?
Why is this necessary when the designs that I might do that do affect building code must be permitted and inspected, and executed by licensed professionals? Why not simply have a state based codes exam that shows that I know enough information about my local codes and that I know what the legal processes are in my state, and then require me to buy liability insurance?
If you want to prove that the designer has skills (which is not what ASID is saying this is about) then why can't we keep NKBA, ASID and other designations as marketing tools for designers who have passed them instead of mandating by state law that only ONE of these options is acceptable (which isn't true) and forcing everyone else out of a job?
ASID's message is not reality.
Tracy Chapman - 2009-03-11 20:14:00 EDT -
"does not restrict the practice of interior design not regulated by building code or other statute"
In recent legislative efforts there has been the attempt to grant government the right to amend their building codes to require interior design documents be stamped by a licensed or registered interior designer. The stamp accepted would be the one the meets ASID guidelines as provides in the enabling legislation at the state level. This circumvents the constiutionality question that lead to previous laws being struck down, as in Alabama. The state would no longer be responsible for enforcing registration but leave it to counties, cites, school boards, ect. as part of their building codes. This is just a subterfuge for a stealth practice act that would put most of the design community at a disadvantage to a small group of elitist who some how think they have the right to control the interior design profession.
William E. Smith CKD - 2009-03-10 17:48:00 EDT
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