Oklahoma Interior Design Coalition

FAQ about Occupational Licensing Task Force for Oklahoma's Interior Designers

Question: What is the Occupational Licensing Task Force?

Answer:  In December 2016, Governor Fallin called for the formation of the Occupational Licensing Task Force to study occupational licensing in Oklahoma and to provide recommendations by December 2017. 

Question: Who is on the Task Force?

Answer: The task force includes two state senators, two state representatives, representatives from various state agencies, and members from non-government organizations.

Question: What actions have been taken to protect Oklahoma’s Interior Design Registration?

Answer: IIDA Headquarters, IIDA Texas/Oklahoma Chapter, and the Oklahoma Interior Design Coalition are working together with a new lobbying firm, A&A Advocates, to monitor the situation. Additionally, the task force created a draft blueprint for occupational licensing, which has been completed and submitted to the task force.

Question: How should I talk about interior design registration in Oklahoma?

Answer:  Oklahoma has a voluntary registration of highly qualified interior designers, and NOT a licensure. Anyone may enter the profession; anyone may call themselves an interior designer. Only those registered with the state may call themselves “registered interior designer.”

Question: Are there anti-trust issues with interior design registration?

Answer Since interior design regulation is controlled under a board that also regulates architecture and landscape architecture, anti-trust issues are not in question for the practice of interior design.

Question: Does the state provide any oversight over interior design regulation?

Answer: Yes, the state legislature provides oversight over the joint board of architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design through approving new or revised rules and regulations.  Additionally, the interior design registration law has a regular sunset view, which allows the state to review the necessity of the law.

Question: What is the compelling public interest for interior design registration?

Answer: The compelling public interest for interior design registration is that interior design requires knowledge and training to design building and safety compliant commercial interior spaces. Interior designers know guidelines and codes such as: IBC, NFPA, ANSI, and ADA codes, as well as, FGI guidelines for healthcare design and construction.