What is being proposed is a practice act which will absolutely prevent you from working in the State of South Carolina (unless, of course, you meet the requirements of the new law).

A person seeking to become a registered interior designer must:
(1) hold a current NCIDQ certification; or
(2) if you are performing interior design services on July 1, 2008, you may apply by June 30, 2012 (or two years following the establishment of the board) if you: (a) possess at least 10 years of combined interior design education and interior design experience, 2 years of which must be interior design education from a program accredited by the Council of Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) or another program that the department deems substantially equivalent; and (b) pass Section One the NCIDQ examination (assuming you are permitted to even sit for the exam as NCIDQ has strict requirements as to who can and cannot take the test, including education and internship requirements).

DON'T BE FOOLED BY GRANDFATHERING. The interior designers supporting legislation have historically told our members and other designers - Don't worry, you will be grandfathered. Don't believe it! Aside from the wide discretion given to the Board to waive the education requirements, you will have to submit documented proof of diversified experience in the practice of Interior Design for ten years, that you were working as an interior designer prior to January 1, 1999 and that you passed Section One of the NCIDQ exam (see above).

Our experience from other states demonstrates that our members will not have "diversified experience in the practice of Interior Design" as defined by the members of the Board. Experienced designers in other states, some with 20+years of commercial and residential work, have been denied on the grounds that whatever work they did was not "diversified experience in the practice of Interior Design". Who defines what that is? Your competitors (who, surprisingly, all seem to have sufficient diversified experience in the practice of Interior Design as they define it).

What about exemptions? They don't help. If this bill passes, you will be "allowed" to provide decorating services or assistance in selecting surface materials, window treatments, wall coverings, paint, floor coverings, surface-mounted fixtures, or loose furnishings. If you are an employee of a retail establishment, you may provide consultation regarding interior decoration or furnishings during a retail sale or prospective retail sale. We can assure you that the services you provide on a daily basis will not be considered "decorating services" or "consultation".

In a blatant attempt to mollify the large retailers, the coalition has now added another exemption for a national retailer of home improvement products and services which employs no fewer than 150,000 people in 40 or more states. So, a kitchen designer with 24 years experience, nationally recognized for his or her expertise, with a large portfolio of satisfied customers, will be licensed out of existence, but a 17 year old with no experience or skill can design kitchens, baths, interiors, hospitals, offices etc. without the need for regulation!

Your involvement is crucial to prevent your being legislated out of existence; the South Carolina Legislature must hear from you that you oppose this needless, unwarranted infringement on your right to earn a living and that your right to continue to practice your chosen profession must be protected.