“Why do you need to be licensed to choose paint colors and finishes?”

Not a question I receive very often, but when I do, I recognize there still exists some confusion about what exactly interior designers do. As a proud licensed Interior Designer, I always welcome the opportunity to share what credentialed expertise means for project teams and clients. For interior designers, certifications like NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) and state-level credentials like CID (Certified Interior Designer) are more than just letters after a name, they represent a commitment to public health, safety, and welfare—and to the long-term credibility of our industry.

The distinction between “decorator” and “designer” often gets blurry, especially as we see design services increasingly commodified or bundled into larger project scopes under varying disciplines. But for those of us who work in commercial, hospitality, and multifamily design, the stakes are high. Life safety codes, accessibility standards, fire egress paths, and technical coordination with architects and engineers are not just project requirements—they’re legal and ethical responsibilities. Licensed interior designers are trained, tested, and held accountable to meet these responsibilities while delivering projects that maximize client ROI, are operationally robust, and satisfy a myriad of programmatic and user requirements.

Licensure also protects owners and developers. When you work with a licensed designer, you’re engaging a professional who can legally stamp drawings, ensuring compliance with jurisdictional code which oftentimes streamlines the permitting process. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about liability, coordination, and professional rigor.

For design studios, staffing licensed professionals adds legitimacy to our voice in the broader architectural conversation. It also supports business development, as more clients and municipalities are beginning to require or strongly prefer credentialed teams.

I feel that perhaps one of the most important reasons to value licensure is cultural. Recognizing and supporting the path to licensure—through mentorship, reimbursing exam fees, or encouraging young designers to pursue certification—helps build a future where interior design is regarded as a vital, skilled, and valuable discipline within the built environment. Interior design is not just decoration, and professional licensure makes that differentiation very clear. At DyeLot Interiors, we are committed to creating meaningful experiences for our clients and their guests. What a joy it has been for me to have a career with so much influence over the built environment. I find great pride in knowing that I’ve contributed to the human experience by expressing my passion for beautiful, immersive spaces.