This is a
printer friendly version of an article from Lansing State Journal.
Published
January 31, 2008
Andy
Meisner and Bill Huizenga: Interior designer licensing
is good
for state economy
House-passed
bill needs attention in state Senate
State
Rep. Andy Meisner
is
a Ferndale Democrat.
State
Rep. Bill Huizenga
is
a Zeeland Republican.
Everyone in Michigan understands the need to strengthen our struggling economy,
and to fight the
brain drain
that is sending our best and brightest college graduates out of state. You might
not
realize it,
but the interior design profession can play a key role in advancing both of
these
objectives.
As it turns out, interior design is about a lot more than just wall colors and
throw pillows. Interior
designers
are part of a growing profession that takes into account critical aspects of
public safety,
health and
consumer protection, and that requires a focused technical knowledge of
building, fire
and
accessibility codes.
Trained interior designers know what materials can be used to safely maximize
mobility and
efficiency
in all types of buildings. Fire-retardant floor or wall coverings could be the
difference
between life
and death in the home or workplace.
That's why 26 other states have enacted legislation to regulate interior design
professionals.
Consumers
want the added protection of licensing when it comes to professional service.
A national
survey by International Communications Research of Media in 2007 found an
overwhelming
89 percent polled thought it important or very important to hire a licensed
professional. At present in Michigan anyone can claim to be an interior designer
without education
or training,
putting the public at great risk.
Compounding this situation, the International Building Code adapted by Michigan
recognizes a
"Registered
Design Professional" as someone licensed or registered in this state. Interior
designers
aren't
licensed or registered in Michigan. Consequently, some building code officials
are rejecting
documents
prepared by interior designers. The rejection of these design documents clearly
represents a
serious restraint of trade and challenges free and fair competitive access to
the
marketplace
in Michigan.
Michigan's failure to license our interior design professionals has led
outsiders to view our state as
lagging when
it comes to high-quality, trend-setting service. As a result, the biggest
potential clients
are turning
to New York and Chicago for services in which we excel, and our college
graduates are
following
the work to these attractive destinations.
Interior designers are entrepreneurs providing jobs and economic stimulus for
our economy. Every
year, 15
Michigan colleges and universities graduate well-trained interior design
students wishing to
practice in
Michigan, with degrees from associate to doctorate. Our current laws in Michigan
send
these
graduates the message that Michigan neither wants nor needs what they have to
offer.
At the urging of many important groups, including the Michigan Association of
Home Builders, the
Michigan
House of Representatives passed legislation in 2007 that will allow Michigan to
join 26
states (and
eight Canadian provinces) in protecting consumers by regulating the interior
design
profession.
Licensing provides an accountability standard to interior designers and is in
the best
interest of
consumers and the interior design profession.
We urge the Michigan Senate to follow our lead.
Forum: Design bills good for consumers
By Linda Thomas
A three-bill package that will require interior designers to become licensed
professionals is working its way through the Legislature in Michigan. This
proposed legislation is a win for consumers and the public as a whole.
House Bills 4770, 4771 and 4772, sponsored by State Reps. Andy Meisner,
D-Ferndale, and Bill Huizenga R-Holland, have garnered bipartisan support from
legislators. In mid-October, these bills were passed by the state House and are
now being considered by the Senate.
With the passage of these bills, Michigan will join the 26 states and
jurisdictions and eight Canadian provinces that have laws to protect consumer
and public safety by regulating the profession of interior design.
Professional interior designers are qualified by education, experience and
examination to enhance the function, safety and quality of interior spaces.
There is a common misconception perpetuated by groups such as the Institute for
Justice that interior design is merely decorating.
Interior designers do produce beautiful spaces. However, interior designers
must be knowledgeable about and in compliance with building, life safety, fire
and accessibility codes. The space plans they draw and interior finishes they
select must be safe and functional for everyday use and during emergencies.
Presently in Michigan any individual can claim to be an interior designer
with no interior design education or training. This puts the public at great
risk. Compounding this situation, the International Building Code as adopted by
Michigan recognizes a "Registered Design Professional" as one who is licensed or
registered in the state.
Interior designers are neither licensed nor registered in Michigan.
Consequently, building code officials in a number of municipalities are
rejecting design documents prepared by interior designers. Interior designers
with education and training are qualified to prepare these documents and have
always been permitted to perform these services.
There are 15 Michigan colleges and universities with interior design programs
that offer degrees in interior design through associate, bachelor, master and
Ph.D. programs. The viability of these programs, the majority of which are
state-funded, is tied to the passage of HB4770, HB4771 and HB4772.
These programs use a separate and unique body of knowledge to provide
education and technical training for tomorrow's interior designers to ensure
they are academically prepared to practice professional interior design. Through
the two-day National Council for Interior Design Qualification examination they
further prove their expertise. The council is a national independent testing
body that serves to identify to the public those interior designers who have met
the minimum standards for professional practice.
Interior design includes, but goes beyond, decorating to impact the physical,
psychological and emotional well-being of the people using the space. Consumers
need to be guaranteed that interior designers have the necessary knowledge and
technical skills to create functional and safe interior environments.
The decisions an interior designer makes impacts the health, safety and
welfare of the public. By providing an accountability standard, the licensing of
interior designers is the in the public's best interest.
About the authors
Linda Thomas of Royal Oak is president of the Coalition for Interior Design
Registration; Erli Gronberg is professor and chair of the Interior Design
program at the Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids; and Lisa
Hildorf is a faculty member in the Interior Design program at Michigan State
University's school of Planning, Design and Construction in East Lansing.
About the forum
The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in
their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be
made by e-mailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical
information and a photo.
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Coalition for Interior Design
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