Interior Design

Regulations of the Commissioner

Subpart 79-3 Interior Design

§79-3.1 Definitions.

As used in this Subpart:

1. Acceptable accrediting agency shall mean an organization accepted by the department as a reliable authority for the purpose of accreditation at the post-secondary level, applying its criteria for granting accreditation in a fair, consistent, and non-discriminatory manner, such as an agency recognized for these purposes by the United States Department of Education.
2. Board shall mean the state board for interior design.
3. Certification shall mean certification to use the title certified interior designer.

§79-3.2 Education/experience credit.

1. Prior to certification, the applicant shall accrue seven years of acceptable education/experience credit which shall include:
   1. at least two but not more than five years of post-secondary education in interior design in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions (b) and (c) of this section, including completion of an associate degree in the field or its equivalent; and
   2. at least two years of interior design work experience of a scope and nature satisfactory to the board, as prescribed in section 79-3.3 of this Subpart.
2. Two years of education/experience credit may be earned for completion of an interior design program leading to an associate degree or four years of education/experience credit may be earned for completion of an interior design program leading to a baccalaureate degree provided that such programs are registered by the department pursuant to section 52.18 of this Title or are professional programs in interior design accredited by an acceptable accrediting agency or are equivalent programs.
3. Upon evaluation by the department, education/experience credit may be earned for post-secondary-level courses completed in the subjects listed in subdivision (a) of section 52.18 of this Title, which are not part of an associate or baccalaureate degree program in interior design meeting the requirements of section 52.18 of this Title, provided that such course work is offered within a program registered by the department pursuant to Part 52 of this Title or approved by an acceptable accrediting agency or within an equivalent program.

§79-3.3 Experience acceptable for certification.

Practical experience in interior design work, satisfactory to the board and verified by the department, shall:

1. be under the direct supervision of an interior designer, architect, or professional engineer;
2. within the bounds of interior design practice as set forth in section 8303 of the Education Law, demonstrate diverse experience in all aspects of project planning and execution; and
3. reflect increased levels of professional growth.

§79-3.4 Licensing examinations.

1. A candidate shall pass two separate examinations, satisfactory to the board, prior to certification.
2. One examination shall test, but shall not be limited to testing, the applicant's knowledge of interior design theory, building and interior systems, planning, contract documents, and professional practice.
3. The other examination shall test the applicant's knowledge relative to fire, safety, and building codes.
4. Education requirements for admission. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 59.2 of this Title, an applicant for certification shall not be required to satisfy all education requirements before being admitted to a professional licensing examination in interior design. Such education requirements shall be completed prior to certification.
5. Grade retention. The grade retention limitations of subdivision (f) of section 59.5 of this Title shall not be applicable to a professional licensing examination in interior design.
6. Passing standard. The passing standard for reach examination shall be determined by the board.

§79-3.5 Limited permits.

1. In accordance with subdivision (l) of section 8306 of the Education Law and upon recommendation of the board, the department may issue to an interior designer who is not a resident of this state and has no established place of practice in this State a limited permit to use the title "certified interior designer" solely in connection with a single specified project, provided that such applicant submits:
   1. a completed application form, including:
      1. the applicant's current residential and employment addresses;
      2. a description of the project for which the limited permit is requested; and
      3. a description of experience satisfactory to the board which is related to the nature of the project for which the permit is requested;
   2. verification of national certification or written confirmation, submitted to the department by a recognized licensing authority, that the applicant is legally qualified and authorized to practice as an interior designer or to use the title "certified interior designer" or other similar title in his/her own state or country, and that the applicant is currently in good professional standing; and
   3. payment of the statutory permit fee.
2. Limited permits shall expire two years from the date granted, except that such permits may be renewed for one additional two-year period.

§79-3.6 Exemptions.

1. Pursuant to subdivision (1) of section 8305 of the Education Law, upon recommendation of the board, the department may exempt from the requirement of passing the licensing examination described in subdivision (b) of section 79-3.4 of this Subpart an applicant who has a license or certificate to practice as an interior designer issued to him or her upon written examination by a legally constituted authority in any other state or political subdivision of the United States, provided that the education/experience requirements, as prescribed in section 79-3.2 of this Subpart, were satisfied before licensure and that the examination for such license or certificate, at the time it was issued, was the substantial equivalent of the examination required in this state.
2. Pursuant to subdivision (2) of section 8305 of the Education Law, upon recommendation of the board, the department may exempt an applicant from the education/experience requirements, as prescribed in section 79-3.2 of this Subpart, provided that prior to January 1, 1996 the applicant submits an application for certification and satisfactory evidence that the candidate has satisfactorily completed an approved secondary school course of study, has the equivalent of seven years of interior design work experience of a scope and nature satisfactory to the board, and has passed the licensing examinations required under section 79-3.4 of this Subpart.