Tennessee Interior Design Act (SB 2078/HB 2016)

Legislative Update: ( 3/3/2009 )

Tennessee Interior Design Act of 2009 (SB 2078/HB 2016) was filed in the 106th Tennessee General Assembly on February 25, 2009! It will run concurrently in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.

This practice act, we believe, will provide the sort of legal recognition that will safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the general public, bring uniformity to the profession, define responsibility and a duty to the public, and encourage excellence in the interior design industry.

• Do you know that in Tennessee our profession is regulated by architectural law, even though we don’t practice architecture? This bill will give us the ability to fully practice our unique profession. Tennessee architectural law and regulatory board policy currently imposes such severe limits and/or restrictions on Interior Design practice that designers cannot fully use their expertise to enhance the places people work, live and play.
  • Because Tennessee law doesn’t recognize interior designers as licensed professionals, they are prevented from practicing in many non-residential spaces over 5,000 sf and are not allowed to do any work in assembly, institutional or educational occupancies of any size. It also limits work in tenant spaces to the maintenance of finishes or rearrangement of furnishings unless the space is under 5,000 sf AND is separated from other tenants by a minimum 2-hr. rating. This 2-hr restriction, much more stringent than the state building code, effectively eliminating the ability of interior designers to perform the work for which they are trained and qualified. What client wants to unnecessarily pay for extra fire-rated construction costs just to be able to work with an interior designer? Or to pay for the added cost of an additional licensed professional in addition to an Interior Designer? The provisions of this legislation will provide the opportunity for interior designers to compete in the open marketplace, improve consumer choice, and fulfill their professional potential.
• Do you know that Interior Designers are the only major design participants in the construction industry that are not licensed? Not accorded the respect or responsibility of other professionals? As a result, not able to practice to the full extent of their training and capabilities?
  • The 2006 International Building Code which governs construction in Tennessee states that “(t)he construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed” (106.1). Since Interior Designers cannot meet this requirement on large commercial and high-risk projects until they are licensed, they can only produce such work under the guidance and oversight of a licensed architect or engineer.

Join IIDA in making sure that Interior Designers are licensed to protect the health, safety and welfare of Tennesseans in large, commercial projects and high risk occupancies. Go to www.tidc.org now. Learn more, sign the petition and send an email to your Legislators asking for their support. Only TOGETHER can we make a difference.

The Tennessee Chapter of IIDA is active in legislative matters in Tennessee and around the country. Through its support of and participation in the Tennessee Interior Design Coalition, formed jointly in 1990 by IIDA, ASID, and IDS, we track legislative and regulatory issues affecting interior designers in Tennessee and work toward effective legislative solutions.