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A bill to deregulate twenty professions including Interior Designers, is up for consideration by the House and the Senate. Backers of the measure, which repeals licensing and examination requirements, say it will boost the economy by making it easier to open small businesses. This is not true.

The outcome of deregulation for Interior Designers is simple: According to Florida code, if Interior Designers are deregulated, the only professionals allowed to do non-residential work will be Architects and Engineers. Interior Designers will not be able to obtain liability insurance to practice, and few Architects will accept responsibility for a designer's work unless they are a full-time employee.

Contrary to belief, this bill does not allow unlicensed designers to work on commercial projects. If this bill passes, it essentially ends the independent commercial Interior Design industry in the State of Florida.

What does a Registered Interior Designer do? Why should they be regulated?

Registered Interior Designers are considered experts in color as it relates to outcomes in learning and healing, but that skill is only one of the many required in the Registered Interior Designers’ professional practice. They must be proficient in the application of the Florida Building Code and the Accessibility Code (ADA); in behavioral and ergonomic analysis; in space planning with partitions, walls and doorway; in furnishings and finishes; in indoor air quality; in the planning of ceilings and lighting; on the details for and the effects of interior environments for education, healing, workspace, hospitality, and recreation. All this is important for projects used by Floridians, including more than 2.7 million Seniors, 3 million disabled over age 5, and by the 86 million visitors to Florida each year. Supporters of this bill say these safety issues will be addressed by local municipalities and code enforcement; agencies which have continually had their budgets cut by the State, increasing the likelihood of errors.

While anyone may call themselves an ”interior designer” and provide interior design for residences Registered Interior Designers do residential and other public-use projects. They are held more accountable --- to their clients, to adherence to all codes and to the State of Florida in their project work. There are 2875 Registered Interior Designers and 883 authorized businesses, paying fees of over $480,000 to the State. Deregulating Interior Design will not cut the State budget in any way.

A few more facts:

--Registered Florida Interior Designers and their businesses are responsible annually for the specification or purchase of more than $348 Million worth of goods and services for hotels, restaurants, offices, healthcare facilities, senior care facilities, education and other facilities.

--Registered Florida Interior Designers, often business owners and employers, account for more than 11,000 jobs, and more than 45,000 other jobs supporting the industry in related trades and workrooms --- all important for Florida’s economy and jobs.

--2568 students in Florida's twenty Interior Design education programs, and 2500 additional recent graduates who are working towards their license will not be allowed to take the national exam required for membership in professional organizations. Each of these students spends between $80,000 - $100,000 on tuition, and will have no reason to continue their education in Florida.

In Summary:

Interior Design legislation helps establish and maintain professional standards that protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public. Legal recognition achieved through licensing, registration, and certification brings uniformity to the profession, defines responsibility, and encourages excellence in the Interior Design industry.

While only 3 States, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico license designers, 26 other states believe the health, safety and welfare of their residents requires that Interior Designers be regulated through various means. Please help us send a message to Tallahassee that Florida deserves the same consideration.

***Please note any comments you post on this petition do not reach our legislators. Please visit http://noidinhb5005.wordpress.com for current information and email links, or http://noidinhb5005.info to make sure your personal message gets to our legislators. Please share with others that may be concerned. ***