But as I said way up there near the top of the thread, I don’t have any issues with certification per se; I simply don’t see why it’s necessary to back it up with the power of the state. Maybe J. Random Consumer lacks the expertise to do comparison shopping, but that, to me, is an indication that he needs to smarten up before he writes large checks, not a mandate to the legislature to protect him from his presumed dimness.

There are times when I’ve watched that HGTV stuff and thought “I can do better than that,” but “better than that” does not necessarily equal “good,” nor is it necessarily within spitting distance of “original.” (Similarly, I’ve written five songs, but three of them turned out to be “Walk — Don’t Run.”)

It might be presumptuous of me, but I believe Chaz is aware of me being an ID – after a few years of reading each other’s blogs and comments someplace else. Not sure about the rest on the thread – but knowing or not knowing is not the point.
It’s the general attitude towards profession – and I met it countless times. For some reason it is not considered serious one. Will anybody say architect is not a serious profession? But we do 70% of what architects do (in my current office I do 95%), and then some – things they don’t know.

I have several female relatives that watch EVERY design (clothing, interior, et.al.) reality show that is aired. Much of what is on the show(s) just turns my stomach -including- the clothing of the judges of the designs. I’ve already stated that my sense of style is non-existant and I swear that even I could do better.

As far as the “design” field is concerned, I consider it pretentious, primarily because MY sense of style is virtually non-existant and can’t comprehend what all the fuss is about. Never mind that I can’t afford the service even if I had a desire to “keep up with the Joneses (or Vanderbilts, etc.)”.

*unimpressed – read his first “feng shui” comment.

Which anyone else here knew was a toss-away joke.

Besides, any interviews with service provider (that category includes, for the purposes of this thread, member of any trade who sells his technical knowledge for money: structural engineer or an operating nurse) or his customers always come AFTER making sure this professional completed certain level of education and work experience.
Hell, I won’t even trust a hairdresser if all she has to offer as qualification is good opinion of 10 of her clients!

Tell me McG, are you in a profession of any kind? Any diplomas, certificates, licences to your name? Would you get a better job without them? Would you offer in lieu of professional qualifications to your potential employer/customer a list of “satisfied clinets”?

Besides, it looks like for all your smug condescension to my profession you don’t know how to read: you still stick “state” into your comment, ignoring what I said about governmental involvement.

And he’d probably get a much better idea of how competent said “doctor” is than a state medical license would tell him. After all, what do you call the guy who graduated last in his class at med school?

But rent-seeking always trumps principle. My uncle, a “conservative” Republican who sells real estate, backed state law changes to make it harder/impossible for non-Realtors to sell property.

“Having style” does not qualify an individual to be an interior designer.
Having 30 and 40 years experience with writing a column in town paper about “style” does not qualify. Having 50 years experience stroking the residential clients’ lapdogs in Long Island beach houses and holding their hands while walking fabric showrooms does not qualify. Hell, even being a licensed, AIA-ed architect does not qualify. They no zilch when it comes to my training.What qualifies? Here’s the definition of Interior Designer. And I do more than that.

I’ve seen “designers” like the ones mentioned in the article you post about. They have no idea how to use CAD. They know nothing of lighting source’s chemical composition. They “trust” the millworker when it comes to drawing a section of a cabinet. They charge a comission on goods they recommend. They don’t understand the difference between California and New Jersey Fire codes. They can’t carry intelligent conversation with their plumbing engineer. Security guys can sell then a Brooklyn bridge – and then they would talk the client in buying one: they have no understanding how magnetic lock works.

Of course they’re opposed to licensing. I bet they are not certified by any other agency, either. All they have is years of BSting their clients.

No wonder one sees disparaging attitude in public for the profession.

On the other hand, while I certainly don’t have an issue with certification, I question the necessity of having it backed up by state boards who generally aren’t answerable to anybody. Don’t your credentials speak for themselves?

That’s exactly the sort of things that separates an interior designer – a real one – from the wannabes who look for easy money.

Why not start denying licensing to doctors, lawyers, architects and engineers? Why pick on interior designers? Afraid on taking one someone your own weight?

God only knows how many illiterate morons I’ve met in my 15 years on the job who told me “My godfather and all members of my Reading Club told me I have such a good taste – I should have been interior designer!” Every damn (and dumb) secretary feels fit to be a critic.

FYI: there is no nationally recognized licensing practice exist at the moment. We are encouraged, though, to participate in voluntary certification tests, 2 days in a row 4hrs each, that is provided by NCIDQ. And about time, I say.

In my own experience during the exam (I’m a Certified Commercial Designer, if that’s not clear yet), only the people who call themselves “decorators” or “feng shui” practitioners, or “design educators”, or “decorating consultants” were having difficulties with passing. And for some reason they tend to have 40 years experience, by the look of them.

Thanks a lot, Chaz. You reminded me why I sometimes hate the public I swore to serve.

“Practicing feng shui without a license.”