An Interior Designer Explains why Licensure Hurts the Economy and Creativity

Patti Morrow, Juxtapose Interior Design president said, “There’s not a shred of evidence which would warrant a conclusion that the unregulated practice of interior design places the public in any form of jeopardy.”

For years, Morrow has been lobbying against several state legislations requiring interior designers to obtain a four-year college degree, acquire a license through a national exam or by interning in other interior design firms. Aside from being the president of an interior design company, Morrow also runs the Interior Design Protection Consulting firm.

“Licensing this industry is nothing more than restraint of trade,” Morrow told the members of the House of Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce.

The hearing was conducted to debate on the issue that states have been getting very strict in requiring certain trades to acquire licensing. According to lawmakers from both sides, the requirement can potentially hurt economy and inhibit the establishment of small businesses.

Rep. Richard Hanna, R-N.Y, chairman of the subcommittee said, “while the intent of occupational licenses are to protect public health and safety, or to protect consumers from bad actors, the scope and complexity of occupational licensing has grown considerable in year.”

According to Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., top Democrat on the panel, around 1,100 occupations are now required to obtain license in at least one state. Meng said, “Licensing requirements have exploded to new fields, some that merit regulation and others that raise the question of whether there is too much licensing.”

Morrow has been opposing the South Carolina legislation which imposes interior designers to acquire licenses. However, according to the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the licensure is not a way to exclude non-licensed interior designers nor to create monopolies within the industry. ASID said that the licensing is necessary because the field is more than just knowledge in aesthetics. Interior designers have to comply with certain regulations such as the American with Disabilities Act, building codes and indoor air quality standards.