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WA-PPDF opposes House Bill-2895 because—

Thousands of competent interior design professionals inWashington State will be put out of business, YET THE PUBLIC IS NOT IN DANGER!

No Real Danger to the Public

 The opposition says HB2895 will “safeguard public health and life safety.” In fact, its real effect is to limit the public’s access to Interior design services. It denies the public’s right to ascribe free market value to interior design services. Monopolistic control means higher costs!

 In 2005, the Washington State Department of Licensing conducted a Sunrise Review to determine if interior design licensing was needed. Their conclusion was that “the public can reasonably expect that an interior designer is a competent practitioner through certification, testing, and experience as required by professional associations.” It also states “There is no clear evidence that unregulated practice can harm or endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the citizens of the state.” Read that as: THERE IS NO DANGER!

REAL Danger to Professional Designers

 HB-2895 Sec. 2.7(a) states “’Interior Design’ means designs, consultations, studies, drawings, specifications…” including “space planning, finishes, furnishings” and more. It describes “a scope of services performed by a professional design practitioner” as one whose services include “any or all of the following tasks:
(i) Research and analysis of the client’s goals and requirements, and development of documents, drawings, and diagrams that outline those needs.
(ii) Formulation of preliminary space plans, and two- and three-dimensional design concept studies and sketches….
(iii) Confirmation that preliminary space plans and design concepts are safe, functional, aesthetically appropriate, and meet all public health, safety, and welfare requirements, including code, accessibility, environmental, and sustainability requirements.”

 Sec . 3. (1) “Only registered design professionals under this chapter may render interior design services,” as described above.

 If you are not registered, you may not provide the services described! AND, as you will see, only one pathway will qualify you to register. This deliberately disregards the many “professional associations” cited by the State of Washington’s Sunrise Review.

 Any designer found guilty by the ASID/IIDA-established board of “A violation of any provision of this chapter…shall be fined up to one thousand dollars for each offense, and each and every day of violation ……shall constitute a separate offense.” Sec. 13. WA-PPDF Washington Professionals Protecting Design Freedom

Requirements for Registration

 Pass the NCIDQ exam. Sec. 4.3. Only a few hundred interior designers in the state meet this qualification currently.

 Hold an accredited certificate, diploma, or degree in interior design. Sec. 4. The only accredited programs currently in Washington State areWSU or BCC. The bill does not address education obtained from non-accredited institutions. By 2012, only a 4-year bachelor degree from a CIDA-accredited program will qualify you for registration. Sec. 4.1. The bill sidesteps how the State will pay to bring current community college programs into compliance.)

 “Each applicant shall provide proof of a minimum of two years full-time diversified interior design experience under direct supervision of a registered interior designer or licensed architect…” Sec. 4.2. How many qualified designers will be forced into undesirable arrangements, serving under these RIDs?

What about a Grandfather clause?

“Any person who applies for registration …..within a two-year period after the effective date of this act shall be registered provided that the applicant meets subsections (1), (2) and (3) of this section:”
1) Passage of the NCIDQ exam.
2) In lieu of the requirement for an accredited degree, a program that the board* deems equivalent may be accepted.
3) In lieu of the education requirement, the board* may register applicants with proof of 15 years of diversified interior design experience.

* The interior design board will be seven persons, each serving 5-year terms, appointed by the Governor from a list of names submitted by ASID Washington State Chapter and IIDA Northern Pacific Chapter

Exemptions

1) Licensed architects, if they do not refer to themselves as being registered interior designers.

2) Employees of a retail establishment providing consultation regarding interior decoration or furnishings on the premises of the retail establishment or in furtherance of a retail sale…a person who provides decorative services or assistance in selection of surface materials, window treatments, wall coverings, paint, floor coverings, surface mounted fixtures and loose furnishings not subject to jurisdictional codes…” Sec.10.2. [Emphasis added.]

Since “jurisdictional codes” has many meanings, who knows how the new interior design board would use its power to further restrict employees! Remember: Do not draw, sketch, or provide other interior design services as described above because these activities will require you be registered.

The WA-PPDF is committed to protecting the public’s access to interior design, the careers of thousands of design professionals, and the multitudes of families of contractors and their sub-contractors affected by any interior design legislation!

Please support us in opposing this effort!
Contact Leslie Jensen: leslie@signaturewoodworks.org
or visit www.wa-ppdf.com