2006 Alabama Code - Section 34-15B-3 — Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) BOARD. The Alabama State Board of Registration for Interior Design.

(2) CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION. The title of the license issued by the board to an individual in order to authorize the individual to engage in the practice of interior design in the State of Alabama.

(3) INTERIOR DESIGNER. A person who is engaged in, or offers to engage in, the practice of interior design in this state, and who has been issued a certificate of registration by the board in compliance with this chapter.

(4) PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN. a. The performance of, or offering to perform, services for a fee or other compensation, directly or indirectly, to another person, or to a partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, in connection with the design, utilization, furnishing, or fabrication of elements in interior spaces in buildings, homes, and related structures. These services include, but are not limited to, the following: Programming the functional requirements for interior spaces; planning interior spaces; preparing analyses of user needs for interior spaces; preparing designs, drawings, and specifications for selection, use, location, color, and finishes of interior walls, materials, equipment, furnishings, furniture, and personal property; administering contracts for fabrication, procurement, or installation in connection with reflected ceiling plans, space utilization, furnishings, or the fabrication of nonstructural elements within and surrounding interior spaces of buildings.

b. The practice of interior design shall not include any of the following:

1. Design of architectural and engineering interior construction relating to building systems, which includes building structural support, elevators, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire protection, and mechanical and electrical systems, except for specification of fixtures and lamps and their location within interior spaces.

2. Modification of existing building stairwells and elevator shafts.

3. Modification of existing building construction so as to alter the number of persons for which the means of egress of a building is designed.

4. The performance of services pursuant to selling, selecting, or assisting in selecting personal property or fixtures, such as, but not limited to, furnishings, decorative accessories, furniture, paint, wall coverings, window treatments, floor coverings, surface mounted lighting, or decorative materials, pursuant to a retail sale; installing or coordinating installation as part of the prospective retail sale; or providing computer-aided or other drawings for the purpose of retail sales, provided those drawings are for materials lists. Provided, however, an individual, partnership, or corporation shall not use the title designations set forth in Section 34-15B-8 nor receive a certificate of registration without successful completion of the NCIDQ examination and/or a sealed level examination, as applicable and as approved by the board. Services performed shall be subject to all fire, safety, building, and construction codes.

(5) PRACTICING INTERIOR DESIGN. Performing, or offering or attempting to perform, any service, work, act, or thing, within the scope of the definition of the practice of interior design.

(6) REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER. A person who is engaged in, or offers to engage in, the practice of interior design in this state, who has been issued a certificate of registration by the board in compliance with this chapter, who has been further approved by the board as a registered interior designer, and who has successfully passed a sealed level examination or an equivalent examination approved by the board. A registered interior designer may exercise all titles and authority issued by this chapter to both a registered interior designer and an interior designer. Registered interior designers may submit sealed stamped drawings, which reflect registered interior design status, to building officials in accordance with this chapter so long as the drawings do not include the design of items specifically excluded from the practice of interior design as defined in subdivision 4, unless the drawing utilizes, references, and incorporates documents prepared by architects, engineers, or other related professionals.

(7) SEALED LEVEL EXAMINATION. An examination, regardless of its eventual title, approved by the board, and administered by an entity approved by the board, which includes testing on technical aspects of interior building systems, structural, framing, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical, as they relate to the profession of interior design.

(Act 2001-660, p. 1365, §3.)