Architects need to confidently identify experienced, qualified Interior Designers who will complement the consultant team assembled for each project.
Currently, anyone in Tennessee can represent himself or herself as an Interior Designer. This legislation requires that Interior Designers meet specific educational, experience and examination requirements and maintain professional standards that protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public. Licensed Interior Designers will be required to address issues like fire safety, code compliance, accessibility, productivity and sustainability in order to provide safe, healthy environments. Competency in these standards mean that Architects know licensed Interior Designers possess the knowledge to address complex spatial and FFE issues even in high-risk and large commercial projects.

Risk management is essential. All your consultants should have access to liability insurance.
Even though Architects strive (and are sometimes required by their own insurers) to work only with insured consultants, professional liability insurance is rarely available to unlicensed professionals such as interior designers. That means that the Architect assumes the liability for the work provided by their interior consultants. This proposed legislation enables licensed Interior Designers to obtain errors and omissions coverage. The result: shared risk and enforceable accountability standards.

The Tennessee Interior Design Act of 2009 recognizes the practice of Interior Design as a distinct profession; it does not allow Interior Designers to practice as Architects.
This legislation actually clarifies the differences between the services provided by an Interior Designer and those provided by an Architect and specifically states the conditions in which Interior Designers may practice. This bill establishes a basis for interaction and collaboration with relevant related professions and further safeguards the health and safety of the public by differentiating the responsibilities and services of each of the design professions.    Read More   

Projects have many lives after the initial construction. Help maintain the health and safety of the occupants long after you leave the project.
Licensure helps maintain professional standards that protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public. Interior Designers are trained to address issues like fire safety, code compliance, accessibility, productivity and sustainability in order to provide a safe, healthy environment. And over a building’s lifespan, many changes to finishes and furnishings will occur because of changing occupants and needs. Interior Designers have knowledge of codes and material properties to ensure continued life safety compliance in a building long after construction has been completed. Read More