Pennsylvania Makes History: Interior Designers Achieve Legal Recognition with Senate Bill 1319
In 2008, I penned an editorial letter to the readers of i+s in which I stated: “As an industry magazine that is dedicated to the advancement of the interior design profession, we stand in support of legislation that recognizes the impact that interior designers have on the safety, health and welfare of the public.” To date, nothing I’ve published in the 26 years since has garnered as many comments in support of or criticizing my stance as I received following its publication.
Today, I continue to stand behind that statement and celebrate along with the Consortium for Interior Design, a collaboration of The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the passage of Senate Bill 1319. The new bill amends the Architects Licensure Law to provide for certification of qualified interior designers and was signed into law on October 31 by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as Act 144 of 2024.
This legislative effort, led by the Interior Design Legislative Coalition of Pennsylvania (IDLCPA), provides certified interior designers with a protected title within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. By codifying this legislation, Pennsylvania acknowledges the critical role interior designers have in helping protect occupant health, safety, and well-being, confirming the key role interior design plays in the built environment.
‘Certified Interior Designer’ Title Formed
IDLCPA worked together with The American Institute of Architects of Pennsylvania to develop and champion this legislation. SB 1319 will formally recognize interior designers in the Commonwealth who meet specific education, experience, and examination requirements, allowing these qualified practitioners to obtain the title of “Certified Interior Designer.” Certified Interior Designers will be governed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Board of Architecture, which will include a Certified Interior Designer representative on the board. Additionally, SB 1319 will amend provisions in regulations and laws that currently prohibit interior designers from receiving compensation for space planning, thereby enabling Certified Interior Designers to receive payment for their work.
“IDLCPA is thrilled to see this agreement finally signed into law,” said coalition president Jennifer Gibian. “For decades, IDLCPA has worked to advance and elevate the interior design profession in Pennsylvania. Those designers who meet rigorous education, experience, and examination standards will have the opportunity for legal recognition as well as a path for continued collaboration with our colleagues in Architecture, without whom we would not be here today.”
Capitalizing on recent momentum recognizing the importance of the interior design profession, this legislation follows the passage of similar bills in 2024 (Nebraska, Oklahoma), 2023 (Iowa), 2022 (Illinois, Wisconsin), and 2021 (North Carolina) that aim to recognize the distinct education, experience, and examination-based knowledge of the modern-day interior design profession.
What Does It Mean for the Industry?
What does this mean for the profession of design? To me, it underscores the significant difference between interior designers and interior decorators, which is at the heart of this issue. With Pennsylvania now recognizing the role that interior designers play in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public through this historic legislation, it joins the majority of states that legitimize the profession of interior design by requiring education, experience, and examination in order to practice.
