User talk:Mike Dudek
* For: Licensing protects the health, safety and welfare of the public.
- Against: No evidence has ever been presented to warrant a conclusion that the unregulated practice of interior design places the public in any form of jeopardy.
DISCUSSION: While public record of court decisions regarding direct correlation of interior design and public safety are few the aspects of interior design’s ability to effect the health and welfare of the public are numerous and vetted via academic research
- For: Licensure would garner respect for the profession.
- Against: The legislature should not regulate occupations for the sole purpose of providing state-sanctioned marketing advantages for some in a profession while placing the rest at an unfair competitive disadvantage.
DISCUSSION: There are numerous means that professional societies establish their basis for existence. Education, experience, examination to prove expertise in the profession is one commonly accepted first step into a profession. The profession of Interior Design has established this model for access into the profession. As a relatively young professional society, interior design continues to be misperceived by the public as nothing more than interior decoration. The legislation of interior design started as an effort to distinguish the profession of interior design from the occupation of interior decoration. As it develops the profession of interior design is endeavoring to clearly prove that it does provide a unique benefit to society which in turn would garner the public’s respect without the burden of governmental regulation
- For: Consumers need to be assured that they are hiring a qualified professional.
- Against: There has been no public outcry from consumers that they are confused about interior design services. The public does not lack the ability to make informed choices about who they retain for design services and do not need the government to dictate who they may or may not hire.
DISCUSSION: This may be true for basic residential interior decoration services but should not be confused with the design of contract or commercial level interior spaces involving life safety and accessibility regulations amongst other higher level technical requirements
- For: Designers cannot fully practice because the International Building Code (IBC) requires interior designers to be “registered.”
- Against: The IBC (Sec. 106.1) does not require that all construction documents be prepared by registered design professionals. What it actually says is, ‘’[C]onstruction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional ‘’’where required’’’ by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed.’’ The IBC defers completely to state law as to whether or not construction documents must be prepared by an architect or an engineer or may be prepared by anyone else including interior designers.
DISCUSSION: Requirements for licensed professionals (architects, interior designers, engineers, etc.) vary from state to state. The onus is on the design professional to understand those particular requirements. Mike Dudek (talk) 18:09, 27 April 2009 (UTC)