E-news Oct-2010

IDLCPA NEWSFLASH
Issued: October 2010

<<Click here for a full color printable PDF>>

WHY SHOULD ALLIED MEMBERS SUPPORT LICENSING? by Lauren Berger, ASID

As an Allied member only 1½ years ago, I was relentlessly targeted by anti‐licensing groups from all over the country attempting to convince me that licensing legislation will destroy my profession. I was told that elitists are forcing arbitrary qualifications on Allied members that would limit an interior designer’s ability to be competitive and could even put others out of business. Statements like this have forced me to evaluate my position on licensing legislation and to research the issues surrounding industry regulation. So what have I learned? Licensure is a must.

• If our scope of services is regulated by the IBC, then it affects the health and safety of consumers. Thus, our clients deserve a minimum level of competence from the interior designers whose services they are purchasing. For more information on how we affect the health and safety of our clients follow this link: http://www.idlcpa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=28
• How do we ensure competence? Licensure provides a standard for minimum qualification (education, experience, and exam).
• For those whose scope of services is not regulated by code and does not affect the health, safety, and welfare of consumers, licensure should be optional. If HB1521 passes, anyone may still call themselves an interior design and practice interior design. Only the practice of registered interior design will be regulated and becoming a registered interior designer will be optional.

Licensure affects the credibility of our profession.

• The credibility of our profession must not be damaged by unqualified individuals making decisions that negatively impact the health and safety of consumers.

Licensure encourages competition.

• If we meet the minimum qualifications set by industry regulation, we are better equipped to be competitive in our field.
• We can collaborate more effectively with architects, engineers, and consultants.
• We can offer our clients the full scope of services for which we are trained.
• Interior designers will not be put out of business!

Licensure improves profitability.

• Currently, we are not allowed to practice a full scope of services. The way the laws are written, we could even be brought up on charges of practicing architecture! As licensed, registered design professionals, we would be able to submit interior construction drawings for permitting. Right now, interior designers must pay an architect to stamp these drawings even though they don’t affect the architecture of the space!

Licensure ensures the future of our profession.

• Interior design students in Pennsylvania overwhelmingly support licensure. If our state does not pass licensing legislation, many of these students will relocate to other states where they can practice a full scope of services. We must not lose the future of our profession in PA!
• Licensure will play a crucial part in the future of our individual careers and our profession as a whole. I strongly encourage Allied members in Pennsylvania to contact the Interior Design Legislative Coalition of Pennsylvania (www.idlcpa.org) with questions and concerns. Don’t fall prey to misinformation – go straight to the source to find out what licensure will do for you!

PA HB1521 UPDATE

The hearing in Harrisburg was on June 24th and we need to keep IDLCPA and our bill fresh in the legislator’s memories! We need our members to all contact their legislators requesting a vote on our bill. We need numbers of people to get our message across and are requesting your help. Once you have contacted your legislator, please follow up with an IDLCPA board member, call, write or send us e-mail! We can be reached via our website www.idlcpa.org. You can also find other helpful links and resources on our site.

Find YOUR Legislator! http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm

ASID STEP WORKSHOP By Natalie M. Buches, Allied ASID, LEED AP ID+C

I recently went through a (needless to say) grueling weekend of NCIDQ exam preparation at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. ASID national puts together a weekend workshop that I like to call NCIDQ Boot Camp. After a long week of work I ventured to downtown Pittsburgh to spend the evening learning about the exam and what I needed to know to pass. We received a booklet of information and a mock “practicum” which we reviewed Friday night. Saturday we actually took the exam. It was INTENSE!! The space planning exercise was just a warm up leading into a lighting, egress, life safety, ADA compliant restroom, even CASEWORK detailing. Sunday we reviewed what we came up with and then talked about multiple choice.

My opinion is that it was totally worth the $300. You will definitely need a day off of work to recover. And you will walk away a little overwhelmed but truly a “STEP” closer to passing your NCIDQ exam.

PURE SUMMER FUN

Pittsburgh put together our 1st Annual Summer Pure Party. The weather was amazing, the margaritas were delicious, and the buzz of the hearing was as fresh as the Jimmy Buffet inspired outfits. A limbo contest, silent auction, food, friends, and fun raised money for IDLCPA/PAC fund!

WRITE A LETTER!