The Board proposes the rule amendment in order to update the education requirements for interior designers.  


  • RULE NO: RULE TITLE
    61G1-22.003: Education Requirements for Interior Designers
    PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment in order to update the education requirements for interior designers.
    SUMMARY: The education requirements for interior designers will be updated.
    SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared. The Board determined the proposed rule will not have an impact on small business.
    Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
    SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 481.203(8), 481.209(2), 481.2055 FS.
    LAW IMPLEMENTED: 481.203(8), 481.209(2), 481.2055 FS.
    IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
    THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Anthony Spivey, Executive Director, Board of Architecture and Interior Design, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0750

    THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

    61G1-22.003 Education Requirements for Interior Designers.

    In order for schools to have time to implement curricula for Board approval under Section 481.209(2), F.S., the Board hereby sets forth the criteria of an acceptable curricula:

    (1) Evaluation of curriculum and standards of board approved degree programs required in Section 481.209(2), F.S., shall be based upon an overview of programs in interior design within the United States including those accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), formerly known as the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER), and an evaluation of such programs, schools, and colleges in light of the definition of interior design found in Section 481.203(8), F.S.

    (2) An applicant must meet the requirements of have completed Section 481.209(2)(c), F.S., or must have obtained a degree from a board approved program of study according to the diversity of programs as required in Section 481.209(2), F.S. Board approved educational standards are based on the Professional Standards established by the CIDA. Course work involving practical applications such as studio, technical and graphic skills shall be completed in residence or delivered through alternate methods such as distance education which must demonstrate that all Professional Standards have been met to insure that education is equivalent to that delivered in residence. The Professional Standards, effective July 1, 2009, are hereby incorporated by reference and can be obtained at http://www.accredit-id.org/profstandards.php. the academic studies of history and theory and the practicable studies of basic and creative design, interior design, technical knowledge, communication skills and the profession. Practicable studies shall be completed in residence and supported by appropriate portfolio performance demonstrating developmental abilities in problem solving, application of skills, principles or concepts to difficult, complex situations as promoted by the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ). Board approved programs shall conform to one of the following models:

    (a) The First-Professional Degree program of study available at a 3 year professional certificate or degree program, a 4 or 5 year professional degree program or a first-professional master’s degree program in interior design, which meets the requirements of Section 481.209(2)(a), (b), (c), F.S., based on an accumulation of not less than 120 semester, or equivalent, credit hours including a minimum of 30 semester, or equivalent, credit hours of diverse university-level liberal arts, sciences and humanities obtained at an institution which has been recognized by the appropriate regional or national institutional accrediting body. The first-professional degree program curriculum shall conform to the following pattern with a minimum of 60 semester, or equivalent, credit hours in first-professional degree, or related coursework. Where applicable, those programs requiring in excess of these requirements shall, after fulfilling the minimum requirements, determine the type of additional studies to promote their individualized mission.

    1. Basic and Creative Arts: study of two and three dimensional design fundamentals; minimum of 6 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    2. Theory: study of the elements and principles of design, color theory, human environment, proxemics, behavior, design theories and spatial composition; minimum of 3 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    3. Interior Design: study of special populations such as the physically challenged, mentally challenged, elderly, children, low income and special purposes such as historic preservation and adaptive re-use; the design process to include programming, conceptualization, problem-solving and evaluation, space planning, furniture layout and selection and design attributes of materials, lighting, furniture, fixtures, equipment, textiles and color; the design of space relative to human factors such as anthropometrics and ergonomics; minimum of 15 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    4. Technical Knowledge: study of structure and construction, building systems, HVAC, lighting, electrical, computer technology, plumbing, acoustics, energy conservation, passive and/or active solar energy, ecology and sustainable design as related to the interior environment; the detailed design of furniture, cabinetry and interiors and materials such as surfaces and structural materials, soft goods and textiles, laws, building codes, ordinances, life safety and fire; minimum of 9 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    5. Communication: Skills: study of computer systems such as word processing, CAD and other technical and graphics systems; presentation skills such as sketching, delineation, rendering, models, photography, and written and oral communication skills, graphics, signage, lettering, drafting and working drawings; minimum of 9 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    6. Profession: study of the interior design profession, organizations, ethics and related professions, business practices, specifications, industry, product safety standards, estimating and business and project management; minimum of 3 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    7. History: study of interiors, furniture accessories; minimum of 6 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    8. Electives: to include any of the foregoing categories of related studies in interior design: theory and methods of research related to experimental, survey, literature search and observation; diverse liberal studies; minimum of 9 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    (b) The 2 year degree program which meets the requirements of Section 481.209(2)(d), F.S., shall include exists where the program offers the common body of knowledge of interior design education through course work as detailed in student achievements to follow. Requirements consist of an accumulation of not less than 60 semester, or equivalent, credit hours including a minimum of 15 semester, or equivalent, credit hours of diverse post-secondary level liberal arts, sciences and humanities obtained at an institution which has been recognized by the appropriate regional or national accrediting body. The 2 year degree program shall conform to consist of the following pattern with a minimum of 45 semester, or equivalent, credit hours in interior design, or related course work. Where applicable, those programs requiring in excess of these requirements shall, after fulfilling the minimum requirements, determine the type of additional studies to promote their individualized mission.

    (c) The Interior Design degree programs specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), above, must insure that, within the framework of required credit hours, it provides studies applicable to the Professional Standards established by the CIDA listed below:

    1. Global Context for Design: understanding of concepts, principles, and theories of sustainability as they pertain to building methods, materials, systems, and occupants; understand globalization and the implication of conducting the practice of design within a world market, how design needs may vary for different socio-economic populations, exposure to contemporary issues affecting interior design, exposure to a variety of business, organizational and familial structures and opportunities for developing knowledge of other cultures. Basic Design: study of two and three dimensional design fundamentals and color; minimum of 3 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    2. Human Behavior: understand social and cultural norms, application of theories of human behavior, application of appropriate ergonomic and anthropometric data and application of universal design concepts. Theory: study of color theory and the human environment related to proxemics and behavior, elements and principles of design; design theories and spatial composition; minimum of 3 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    3. Design Process: ability to identify and define aspects of a design problem relevant to (goals, objectives and performance criteria), gather appropriate and necessary information and research findings to solve problems (evidence based design), evaluate, select, and apply information and research findings to design, synthesize information and generate multiple concepts and/or multiple design responses to programmatic requirements, and demonstrate creative thinking and originality through presentation of a variety of ideas, approaches, and concepts, opportunities to solve simple to complex design problems, exposure to a range of design research and problem solving methods, opportunities for innovation and creative thinking, and opportunities to develop critical thinking skills. Interior Design: study of lighting, space planning, furniture arrangements, furnishings and materials selection, finish materials and color, special populations such as the physically challenged, mentally challenged, elderly, children, low income and special purposes such as historic preservation and adaptive re-use; minimum of 12 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    4. Collaboration: awareness of team work structures and dynamics, the nature and value of integrated design practices, collaboration, consensus building, leadership, and team work, and interaction with multi-disciplines representing a variety of points of view and perspectives. Technical Knowledge: study of structure and construction, building systems, HVAC, lighting, electrical, plumbing, acoustics, energy conservation, ecology and the environment, cabinetry, and interiors and materials such as surfaces and structural materials, soft goods, and textiles, laws, building codes, ordinances, life safety and fire; minimum of 9 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    5. Communication: application of a variety of communication techniques and technologies appropriate to a range of purposes and audiences, express ideas clearly in oral and written communication, use sketches as a design and communication tool, produce competent presentation drawings across a wide range of appropriate media, produce competent contract documents including coordinated drawings, schedules, and specifications appropriate to project size and scope and sufficiently extensive to show how design solutions and interior construction are related, integrate oral and visual material to present ideas clearly. Visual Communications: study of sketching, rendering, drafting, presentation boards, CAD and word processing; minimum of 6 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    6. Professionalism and Business Practices: understand the contributions of interior design to contemporary society, various types of design practices, the elements of business practice (business development, financial management, strategic planning, and various forms of collaboration and integration of disciplines), the elements of project management, project communication, and project delivery methods, professional ethics, exposure to various market sectors and client types, legal recognition for the profession, professional organizations, life-long learning, and public and community service. Business Practice: study of specifications, the interior design profession and organizations, business organizations and operations, sales, estimating, installations, schedules and documentation; minimum of 3 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    7. History: understand the social, political, and physical influences affecting historical changes in the design of the built environment. Ability to identify movements and periods in interior design and furniture, movements and traditions in architecture, stylistic movements and periods of art, and ability to use historical precedents that inform design solutions study of interiors and furnishings; minimum of 6 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    8. Space and Form: application of the elements, principles and theories of design to two-dimensional and three-dimensional design solutions, analysis and discussion of spatial definition and organization. Electives: to include any of the foregoing categories, theories, methods of research related to experimental, survey, literature search and observation; minimum of 3 semester, or equivalent, credit hours.

    9. Color and Light: understanding of color principles, theories and systems, the interaction of light and color and the impact they have on one another and interior environments, application of color with regard to its multiple purposes, and application of color effectively in all aspects of visual communication (presentations, models, etc.).

    10. Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, and Finish Materials: awareness of a broad range of materials and products, typical fabrication and installation methods, and maintenance requirements, apply appropriate materials and products on the basis of their properties and performance criteria, including environmental attributes and life cycle cost, layout and specification of furniture, fixtures and equipment.

    11. Environmental Systems and Controls: understanding the principles of natural and electrical lighting design, competent selection and application of luminaries and light sources, and understanding the principles of acoustical design, appropriate strategies for acoustical control, thermal systems and their impact on design solutions, the principles of indoor air quality, and selection and application of products and systems and how they impact indoor air quality.

    12. Interior Construction and Building Systems: understanding structural systems and methods, non-structural systems including ceilings, flooring and interior walls, distribution systems including power, mechanical, HVAC, data/voice telecommunications, plumbing, energy, security, building control systems, the interface of furniture with distribution and construction systems, vertical circulation systems, and ability to read and interpret construction drawings and documents.

    13. Regulations: awareness of sustainability guidelines, industry-specific regulations, understanding of laws, codes, standards and guidelines that impact fire and life safety including, compartmentalization: fire separation and smoke containment, movement: access to the means of egress including stairwells, corridors, exit-ways, detection: active devices that alert occupants including smoke/heat detectors and alarm systems, suppression: devices used to extinguish flames including sprinklers, standpipes, fire hose cabinets, extinguishers, etc., application of federal, state/provincial, and local codes, standards, accessibility guidelines.

    (3) No change.

    (4) In order to meet acceptable standards of accreditation the institution offering the course of study in interior design from which the applicant receives his degree or which he attends must be adequate as regards educational requirements in the following areas:

    (a) Auspices, control and organization of the institution and of the interior design program;

    (b) Educational programs and degrees conferred;

    (c) Maturity and stability of the institution and the individual educational programs;

    (d) Basis of and requirements for admissions for students;

    (e) Number of students enrolled in the applicable college or division as a whole and to the individual educational programs;

    (f) Teaching loads and faculty salaries;

    (g) Physical facilities and adequacy of the educational plant devoted to interior design as justified by the resources available;

    (h) Finances and investments, expenditures and sources of income of the institution;

    (i) Curricular content of the program as sanctioned by the CIDA Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER) or as found to be substantially equivalent by the Board;

    (j) Provisions for keeping the program current.

    (5) In order to verify an applicant’s curriculum and interior design program the Board may require information from the applicant’s institution(s) as to the areas mentioned in subsection 61G1-22.003(4), F.A.C. Institutions will be required to verify to the Board, in writing, every two years, that the current program of studies offered meets the minimum requirements of the applicable program(s) of studies as listed in Rule 61G1-22.003, F.A.C. Passage by the applicant of the NCIDQ (the National Council for Interior Design Qualification) Examination will be used by the Board in evaluating whether an applicant’s institution(s) meets applicable educational standards.

    Rulemaking Specific Authority 481.203(8), 481.209(2), 481.2055 FS. Law Implemented 481.203(8), 481.209(2), 481.2055 FS. History– New 12-4-90, Amended 7-14-93, Formerly 21B-22.003, Amended 8-9-99, 7-30-07,________.


    NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Architecture and Interior Design
    NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Architecture and Interior Design
    DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 8, 2009
    DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 19, 2008

Document Information

Comments Open:
5/22/2009
Summary:
The education requirements for interior designers will be updated.
Purpose:
The Board proposes the rule amendment in order to update the education requirements for interior designers.
Rulemaking Authority:
481.203(8), 481.209(2), 481.2055 FS.
Law:
481.203(8), 481.209(2), 481.2055 FS.
Contact:
Anthony Spivey, Executive Director, Board of Architecture and Interior Design, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0750
Related Rules: (1)
61G1-22.003. Education Requirements for Interior Designers