1. (1) NCIDQ shall mean the National Council for Interior Design Qualification.
2. (2) BOARD shall mean the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners.
3. (3) REGISTRANT shall mean a registered interior designer.

4. (4) A registered interior designer shall be defined as a person who is duly registered and who is qualified by education, experience, and examination as required by T.C.A. § 62-2-101; a person with moral and ethical responsibility to protect consumers and occupants through the design of code-compliant, accessible, and inclusive interior environments that address well- being, while considering the complex physical, mental, and emotional needs of people; and possessing the authority to use the title “Registered Interior Designer.”

   1. (a) The practice of interior design shall be defined as:

      1. 1. A distinct profession with specialized knowledge applied to the planning and design of interior environments that promote the health, safety, and welfare of the public while supporting and enhancing the human experience.
      2. 2. Encompassing the performing or offering to perform or holding oneself qualified to perform comprehensive interior design services including, but not limited to the following:
   2. (i) Management of interior non-structural/non-seismic construction;
   3. (ii) Non-structural alteration projects;
   4. (iii) Preparation of working drawings and documents relative to interior construction including space planning, reflected ceiling plans, paths of egress, occupancy calculations, fabrication of non-structural elements, casework/millwork design; and

   5. (iv) Specification and documentation of interior finish materials, furnishings, fixtures, and equipment.

      1. 3. Contributing to the interior environment with knowledge and skills about the following:
   6. (i) Space planning;
   7. (ii) Interior building materials and finishes;
   8. (iii) Casework, furniture, furnishings, and equipment;
   9. (iv) Lighting;
   10. (v) Acoustics;
   11. (vi) Wayfinding;

   12. (vii) Ergonomics and anthropometrics;

       1. (viii) Human environmental behavior;
   13. (ix) Interior space planning;
   14. (x) Interior finish materials (e.g., durability, function, aesthetics, fire ratings); and

   15. (xi) Barrier-free design and accessibility for interior requirements.

       1. 4. Analyzing, planning, designing, documenting, and managing interior non- structural/non-seismic construction and alteration projects in compliance with applicable building design and construction, fire, life-safety, and energy codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines.

Authority: T.C.A. § 62-2-203(c). Administrative History: Original rule filed May 18, 1993; effective July 2, 1993. Amendments filed March 5, 2026; effective June 3, 2026.