FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The profession of Interior Design positively impacts people’s health and well-being every day and enhances business value all around the world. The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) supports design professionals, educators, students, firms, and their clients through our network of 15,000+ members across 58 countries. In order to continually increase the value and understanding of our work, we provide community outreach and a vibrant community for those interested in design, and we advocate for advancements in design excellence, education, legislation, and accreditation.

The Ohio Kentucky Chapter is a membership division of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Our Chapter consists of 5 City Centers - Cincinnati Dayton, Cleveland Akron, Columbus, Louisville Lexington, and Toledo. Learn More

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Every board member, committee partner, or event organizer is a volunteer donating their time to make a difference. If you want to be one of these passionate professionals or students working to advance our industry, come join us! Click here to volunteer.

The Ohio Kentucky Chapter Board is a group of dedicated volunteers nominated and elected by their fellow IIDA leaders to lead the success of chapter programming moving forward. You can learn more about them here.

Via the IIDA HQ website: www.iida.org/membership

If you cannot locate your membership number, reach out to our membership team at iidaohkymembership@gmail.com. Your username is the email address you signed up with. You can also call the Headquarters Office at 888-799-4432. This username/password is only applicable to the IIDA HQ website at iida.org. In order to access the member's only sections of this website, you must set up an account at the top right corner of our webpage.

If you are a member in good standing, you can use the IIDA acronym after your name. Using your IIDA designation shows your clients, employers, and peers that you are deeply committed to your profession. It demonstrates to a prospective employer that you have the qualifications that give you an edge. Examples: Status | Appellation | Example Professional | IIDA | Jane Doe, IIDA College of Fellows | FIIDA | Jane Doe, FIIDA Emeritus | Emeritus IIDA or EIIDA Emeritus College of Fellows | Emeritus FIIDA or EFIIDA Associate | Associate IIDA or Assoc. IIDA | Jane Doe, Associate IIDA or Assoc. IIDA Student Student | IIDA | Jane Doe, Student IIDA Affiliate | Affiliate IIDA | Jane Doe, Affiliate IIDA Industry | Industry IIDA or Ind. IIDA | Jane Doe, Industry IIDA or Ind. IIDA Honorary | Honorary IIDA | Jane Doe, Honorary IIDA Remember to capitalize IIDA. Do not separate with periods or other punctuation. List IIDA first when you include multiple appellations. Alphabetize ensuing appellations. Retired members may continue to use the IIDA or Associate IIDA appellation as appropriate. Use your IIDA credential: On your business cards, website, and letterhead When being interviewed or presenting When receiving recognition in press releases, newsletters, and announcements

Costs are by membership type, are due on January 1st of each year, and are good for a full calendar year. Dues are prorated for any time after January. Membership Dues are set and regulated by IIDA international headquarters. Membership level is coordinated with headquarters. Dues are subject to change at any time. The IIDA Ohio Kentucky chapter is not responsible for any discrepancy between posted and actual due amount. Click here to pay membership fees directly online. Click here to access the EZ Pay Payment Plan Option. This payment option allows you to pay your IIDA Membership dues in easy monthly installments.

Yes, $75 is due at time of application as a first-time member.

Three months (March 31st). Afterwards, your membership will be revoked & you may need to rejoin as a new member again. If your membership lapsed, it’s not too late to renew your membership online. Please email membership@iida.org or call 888.799.4432 and a member services representative will assist you in reinstating your membership.

An Associate member is one who has a minimum of two-year formal design degree with proof of transcripts or diploma and is not NCIDQ-certified. The incentive is by 6 years of IIDA membership to become NCIDQ-certified.

Ten CEU hours are required every 2 years to maintain Professional or Associate level membership. The other membership levels do not require CEUs.

All IDCEC courses are approved. Non-IDCEC courses can be submitted to IIDA for review & approval. For more information, email CEU@iida.org.

A professional interior designer is qualified by education, experience, and examination to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces.

NCIDQ matters because it sets the standards for our profession. It is a tool that educates others on the impact commercial interior designers have on the health, welfare, and safety of the public.

There currently is no regulation in the State of Ohio for the Interior Design Profession. We are currently developing our strategic plan for the next 2-3 years, with the hopes of introducing our new bill in 2025. RECENT HISTORY: 2017-2019 HB504 – Passes House and moves on to the Senate. Heartbeat Bill takes precedence and session ends before we have a chance to be heard. 2019-2020 HB402 – Introduced and Grassroots efforts begin. COVID-19 hits in March of 2020 and Bill does not get a chance to be heard. BENEFITS TO PROFESSIONALS: Awareness – “RID” shows other professionals that you support increasing public awareness of interior design as a profession. Identification – RID is a registered design professional, which is defined in the International Building Code, as “an individual who is registered or licensed to practice their respective design profession as defined by the statuary requirements of the professional registration law of the state in which the project is being constructed.” Reciprocity – Most states that regulate interior design offer reciprocity, which means RIDs from another state can easily become registered in that state. Permitting – Registration can give the privilege and responsibility of submitting documents of interiors for building permits. Bidding – In some jurisdictions, registration can allow interior designers to bid on government projects. BENEFITS TO THE PUBLIC: Interior design registration expands the options for consumers for design services in the interior environment. The public can identify qualified interior designers easily and effectively. The public is assured those with the RID title will make informed choices regarding building codes, suitability of materials, and will create healthy, functional, and engaging interior environments. WHAT COULD LEGAL RECOGNITION DO FOR THE PROFESSION? Authorize a state board, department, or agency to register interior designers who meet a minimum standard of competency based on education, examination, and experience. Establish the legal title like “Registered Interior Designer” or “Certified Interior Designer.” The potential to allow Registered/Certified Interior Designers to stamp and seal drawings for the purpose of submitting to local building departments for permits. Institute health, safety, and wellness focused continuing education requirements for Registered/Certified Interior Designers. THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE INTERIOR DESIGN INDUSTRY: $96.3 billion The total estimated impact of the interior design industry on the United States in 2016, which can support 522,400 jobs annually. $49.0 billion The total estimated revenue for the interior design industry, which also generates an additional $47.3 billion in adjacent industries. $4.5 billion The estimated amount of U.S. federal tax the interior design sector generated in 2016.

Currently Kentucky has a Title Act.

We would like to have the same opportunities as our other design professionals have, Architects, Engineers, Landscape Architects. The opportunity to practice to our full potential and what the NCIDQ qualifies as a certified Interior Designers.

Text "Interior Design" to 52886 and follow the message prompts to receive updates at the local, state, and national level.

IIDA Advocacy

By coming together, and hearing from each other, IIDA Advocates from across the country were able to share struggles and successes unique to their state, and collaborate on everything from how different states re-energize city centers that have become less active, to ways chapters with more than one state, or states with more than one chapter work together to achieve wins, and how practitioners can collectively share our knowledge to elevate the profession of commercial interior designers.

NCIDQ Certification is the globally recognized hallmark of a highly qualified interior designer. NCIDQ Certification assures interior designers are competent to meet industry standards not only for aesthetics but also for public health, safety and welfare. To date, more than 30,000 people around the world have earned NCIDQ Certification, the gold standard for interior design professionals. More info: www.cidq.org/cidq

The IIDA OHKY Chapter encourages certification, and helps members prepare for the NCIDQ exam by offering an intensive preparation course twice a year. Led by QPractice, this online study program offers a weekly study guide, unlimited access to practice tests, additional study materials, and invaluable support for the NCIDQ. This study program lasts 4 months, allowing you to study on your own time, all while keeping you on the path to passing the NCIDQ.

Check out the CIDQ website for specifics on renewal. www.cidq.org/certificate-renewal

NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualifications), WELL, LEED, EDAC (Evidence-Based Design Certification), CHID (Certified Healthcare Interior Designers)

The NCIDQ Tuition Reimbursement Fund supports IIDA Associate members seeking their NCIDQ credentials. Interior designers that hold an NCIDQ certificate are able to demonstrate their skills, experience, and knowledge of core competencies in code-regulated interiors ensuring the protection of public health, safety, and welfare. Learn more on HQ's website here.

The Easiest Way to Keep Track of your IDCEC Credits: The App! Continuing education strengthens designers from different disciplines by improving individual attitudes, competencies, knowledge, and skills in subject areas essential to the growth and success of the design industry. IDCEC inspires and guides providers of continuing education programs to deliver high-quality, lifelong learning activities for design practitioners. They provide learning opportunities and registry services to design professionals under one platform. IDCEC approved CEUs will be collecting your info in a super simple 2 step process: Download the IDCEC mobile app. Scan the QR class-code after the event. Check out the short video below for a quick rundown on the process.

Yes! We have a library of CEUs from our generous benefactors. Click here to learn more.

IIDA, in conjunction with ASID, CIDA, IDC, IDEC and NCIDQ, has established a website to answer and guide for those seeking a career as an interior designer. www.careersininteriordesign.com

https://iida.org/memberships/student

YES! As long as an event is not specifically identified as for “professional members” only, all IIDA events are open to students and all students are encouraged to attend.

Information about Campus Centers, how to become a Campus Center, as well as tips and tricks for operating as a Campus Center can be found in the IIDA Campus Center Handbook.

Learn More

IIDA, in conjunction with ASID, CIDA, IDC, IDEC and NCIDQ, has established a website to answer and guide for those seeking a career as an interior designer. https://www.careersininteriordesign.com/

Basic information about the NCIDQ (https://www.cidq.org/), and information about how students in their final year of a Bachelor or Master of Interior Design program or after graduation can take the IDFX, Fundamentals Section, (https://www.cidq.org/students)