To whom it may concern.

Eliminating the Interior Design statute would  harm the Commonwealth. Certification of Interior Designers in the Commonwealth provides the public consumer with knowledge that a minimum set of requirements, including education, experience, and testing, has been met. Certified Interior Designers do complex design drafting work in large public and code-regulated spaces like hotels, hospitals, corporate offices, and multifamily housing where public life-safety is implicated. Certified Interior Designers have a knowledge of building codes, standards, and other laws and regulations that are essential to the safe construction of public and other code-regulated buildings. 

Interior Designers are responsible for designing safe interiors that meet code regulations. Without the certification, an individual with no training could be be could be making these decisions in public spaces. Certification provides that the designer meets a set of standards and with that a level of quality.

I am a licensed professional. I rely on that Licensure to provide my clients with the assurance I have the knowledge and experience to do my job to a set standard. Certification and licensure is vitally important to maintaining professional quality.

It would be a huge disservice to Virginians if Interior Design was not regulated. I do not want the wiring in my house to be determined by someone without certification, who only knows how to match drapes with throw pillows.  

Sincerely,

Terry Hrubec, DVM, PhD

Virginia - Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Virginia Tech