Issues & AdvocacyState

Interior Design Practice Act Introduced in Michigan

By Zachary Hart, Manager, State Relations

On September 26, 2012 an Interior Design practice act was introduced in the Michigan Senate. The bill would require interior designers to obtain a license to practice. The bill’s late introduction means that it will likely die at the end of the 2011-2012 legislative session; however, because the bill was introduced during the previous session, it will have priority status in the 2013-2014 session, when it is very likely to be reintroduced. The AIA opposes interior design licensure because the practice of interior design does not affect public health, safety, and welfare. Therefore licensure of interior designers does nothing but restrict competition and economic opportunity by needlessly setting up barriers to entry for would-be interior designers.

The bill’s introduction comes at an interesting time for interior designers in Michigan. While this bill is sponsored by two Republican Senators, earlier in the year Governor Rick Snyder (R) proposed deregulation of 18 occupations including interior designers. Interior Design regulation is a perennial issue in the design and construction industry and similar legislation is often introduced in multiple states each session. AIA Michigan and AIA National are following the bill closely and will continue to relay developments on this issue in Michigan and nationally.

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