2006 Alabama Code - Section 34-15B-9 — Exemptions.

(a) The following persons are exempt from this chapter, but remain subject to the title restrictions contained in subsection (a) and subsection (b) of Section 34-15B-8.

(1) An individual practicing interior design under the supervision of a person having a valid certificate of registration.

(2) An architect licensed to practice in the State of Alabama may practice interior design; however, the architect may not use the title designations set forth in Section 34-15B-8 without successful completion of the NCIDQ examination and/or the sealed level examination approved by the board, as applicable.

(3) Licensed home builders and their employees whose activities are limited to the licensed builders' houses and projects and licensed general contractors and their employees whose activities are limited to the licensed general contractors' projects.

(4) Any person with a combination of the following education and full-time experience in the field of interior design on August 1, 2001:

For purposes of this subdivision, education means the successful completion of a minimum of 48 semester hours or 60 quarter hours in an approved collegiate level interior design program, plus documented full-time interior design experience approved by the board, totaling 10 years of combined education and full-time interior design experience. For purposes of this paragraph, "and full-time experience" means at least 35 hours per week; 40 semester hours in a collegiate level interior design program are equivalent to two years of education; and, 60 quarter hours in a collegiate level interior design program are equivalent to two years of education. To be entitled to any exemption under this subdivision an individual must document his or her experience and education on forms approved by the board and must register with the board within six months following August 1, 2001. Provided, the exemption shall terminate unless the individual claiming the exemption passes, prior to June 1, 2002, a code examination provided by the NCIDQ.

(5) Any person with 25 years of documented full-time experience, approved by the board, in the field of interior design on August 1, 2001. To be entitled to the exemption, an individual must document his or her experience on forms approved by the board and register with the board within six months following August 1, 2001.

(6) Any person making a plan or specification for, or administering the erection, enlargement, or alteration of any building upon any farm for the use of any farmer or for any building to be occupied and utilized by a healthcare facility as that term is defined in Section 22-21-260.

(7) Any person certified on August 1, 2001 by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, as a kitchen designer or bath designer, or both, whose activities involve the planning and execution of the design of complete residential kitchens or baths. The person shall not use the title designations set forth in subsection (a) or subsection (b) of Section 34-15B-8. Provided, the exemption shall terminate unless the individual claiming the exemption passes a code examination provided by NCIDQ prior to June 1, 2002, and documents to the board his or her National Kitchen and Bath Association certification within six months following August 1, 2001.

(8) Any person or legal entity purchasing products for its own use.

(b) Any person entitled to an exemption from this chapter shall remain subject to all other applicable provisions of Alabama law, including, but not limited to subsection (b) of Section 34-2-32.

(c) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent licensed professional engineers, or the employees or subordinates under their supervision or control, from performing interior design services which are incidental to the practice of engineering.

(Act 2001-660, p. 1365, §9.)