What Does It Mean for an Interior Designer to Be ‘Certified’?
In the last post, I discussed the nuances between interior design and decorating, highlighting the term Certified Interior Designer. The descriptor 'Certified' is of specific importance in the legal world of interior design, is based on earned credentials, and where an interior designer practices in North America. For this post, Certified Interior Designer will be a blanket term for any licensed and registered interior designer, regardless of location.
What Is a Certified Interior Designer?
A Certified Interior Designer is a professional who has completed formal education in interior design under a specific curriculum, gained a certain number of years of hands-on experience under credentialed guidance, and then passed the NCIDQ exam—a comprehensive test facilitated by the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) that covers everything from space planning to building codes to life safety—making them licensed.
Once an interior designer is licensed, they register with the state where they practice to call themselves a Certified Interior Designer. This regulation is more or less stringent based on whether a Title Act or Practice Act regulates the jurisdiction; these are two types of law that govern the interior design profession across the United States and Canada. Here's a basic explanation:
If a state is regulated under the law as a Title Act, then only those licensed and registered within that state can legally use the title Certified Interior Designer. Registration in these states is optional; however, only those who do can lawfully use the term.
A state that regulates interior design under the Practice Act has stricter regulations. Designers must legally register with the state to practice interior design and even call themselves the more generally known title of Interior Designer.
What Does New Jersey Follow?
New Jersey is under a Title Act without permitting privileges. That means:
Only interior designers who are NCIDQ certified and registered with the state they practice in can legally use the title Certified Interior Designer.
Any design professional can offer interior decorating, styling, or design services. Still, only those registered with the state can use the specific title Certified Interior Designer (OpenAI, 2025) to describe their profession.
It's important to note that:
Even if an interior designer is certified in New Jersey, they cannot stamp and sign construction drawings for permit submission (OpenAI, 2025). That responsibility lies with a licensed architect or engineer. So, if your project requires stamped drawings for construction, your Certified Interior Designer will collaborate with an Architect or Engineer of Record to ensure everything is code-compliant and ready for approval. (OpenAI, 2025)
Some states allow Certified Interior Designers to stamp and seal their drawings for specific interior projects, but New Jersey is not yet one of them.
What About Other States?
Here's a helpful map from the Council for Interior Design Qualification showing how the jurisdictions are regulated across North America. As you'll see, the laws regarding interior design differ broadly. Some states have Practice Acts, others follow Title Acts, and many have yet to have any legislation regarding interior design.
If All States Aren’t Regulated, Why Should I Look for A Certified Interior Designer?
The landscape of the interior design profession continues evolving as more states recognize Certified Interior Designers' important role in creating safe, functional, and beautiful spaces. Whether an interior designer practices in a highly regulated state or not, you can ensure that one who has gone through the extensive processes of becoming licensed and registered is highly trained and qualified.
What Does This Mean for Your Brick-and-Mortar Small Business?
When you're selecting and planning a new space or renovating, there are multiple overlapping priorities:
You want it to look great and feel like an extension of your brand.
You want it to function well for you, your team, and your customers.
You want it to be code compliant to follow the law.
You want it to be in budget for a strong bottom line.
Certified Interior Designers bring these together into one cohesive vision. They can help you choose colors, furnishings, and décor that fit your vision and ensure the space flows smoothly, can be maintained well, meets building codes, and is ADA accessible.
Of course, some projects may require focusing only on the decorative side—like selecting new furniture or updating materials, finishes, and colors—and others may need more technical expertise, such as drawing plans, ensuring ADA compliance, and detailing millwork. A Certified Interior Designer is qualified to handle both, making them a helpful resource for small businesses planning more comprehensive renovations or build-outs.
The Bottom Line: Certification, Design, & Decorating—It's All Connected
If you're opening or renovating a small business, designing your space is a significant and exciting process (OpenAI, 2025). Whether you're looking for someone to help you choose the perfect lighting and furniture or need a partner who can also manage technical drawings and code compliance with architects and engineers, a Certified Interior Designer can offer the best of both worlds.
