Press Room

An Act relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design would open up business opportunities for small interior design firms by creating new licensure for the industry.

Making commercial interior design a licensed profession enables registered interior designers to bid individually on certain projects that are currently off limits, growing small businesses that are often women-led and incentivizing graduates in the field to stay in Massachusetts to build their careers.

State licensure would empower the field of commercial interior designers to participate in certain state and federal projects without having to contract with larger firms that have architectural licenses.

The details of the legislation are below.

Organizes a New Registration Board. Creates statewide licensure of the commercial interior design profession. A new, five-member Board of Registration of Commercial Interior Designers would be empowered to create regulations for the industry’s professional qualifications.

Gives Jump Start to Established Designers. Authorizes provisional licensure for commercial interior designers who have at least 10 years of full-time, relevant professional experience.

Ensures Flexibility and Safeguards. Ensuring that licensure is a potential help to designers rather than a burden, commercial interior designers would not be required to seek licensure and could still operate their businesses without registering. Only licensed professionals would be able to use the title “Registered Commercial Interior Designer.” Licensed designers would not be allowed to engage in the practice of architecture unless specifically authorized by law.

Expands the Designer Selection Board. Gives representation to commercial interior designers with a seat on the state Designer Selection Board, the panel that selects designers for state building projects.