1. (a) In order to obtain Interior Design registration by examination in Texas, an Applicant shall demonstrate that the Applicant has a combined total of at least six years of approved Interior Design education and experience and shall successfully complete the Interior Design registration examination or a predecessor or other examination deemed equivalent by NCIDQ as more fully described in Subchapter C of this chapter.
2. (b) Alternatively, prior to December 31, 2018, an Applicant may obtain Interior Design registration by examination by successfully completing the Architectural Registration Examination or another examination deemed equivalent by NCARB after fulfilling the prerequisites of §1.21 and §1.41 of this title relating to Board approval to take the Architectural Registration Examination for architectural registration by examination. This subsection is repealed effective January 1, 2019.

3. (c) For purposes of this section, an Applicant has "approved Interior Design education" if:

   1. (1) The Applicant graduated from:

      1. (A) a program that has been granted professional status by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) or the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB);
      2. (B) a program that was granted professional status by CIDA or NAAB not later than two years after the Applicant's graduation;
      3. (C) a program that was granted candidacy status by CIDA or NAAB and became accredited by CIDA or NAAB not later than three years after the Applicant's graduation; or
      4. (D) an Interior Design education program outside the United States where an evaluation by World Education Services or another organization acceptable to the Board has concluded that the program is substantially equivalent to a CIDA or NAAB accredited professional program;
   2. (2) The Applicant has a doctorate, a master's degree, or a baccalaureate degree in Interior Design;

   3. (3) The Applicant has:

      1. (A) A baccalaureate degree in a field other than Interior Design; and
      2. (B) An associate's degree or a two- or three-year certificate from an Interior Design program at an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;

   4. (4) The Applicant has:

      1. (A) A baccalaureate degree in a field other than Interior Design; and
      2. (B) An associate's degree or a two- or three-year certificate from a foreign Interior Design program approved or accredited by an agency acceptable to the Board.
4. (d) In addition to educational requirements, an applicant for Interior Design registration by examination in Texas must also complete approved experience as more fully described in Subchapter J of this chapter (relating to Table of Equivalents for Education and Experience in Interior Design).
5. (e) The Board shall evaluate the education and experience required by subsection (a) of this section in accordance with the Table of Equivalents for Education and Experience in Interior Design.
6. (f) For purposes of this section, the term "approved Interior Design education" does not include continuing education courses.
7. (g) An Applicant for Interior Design registration by examination who enrolls in an Interior Design educational program after September 1, 2006, must graduate from a program described in subsection (c)(1) of this section.
8. (h) In accordance with federal law, the Board must verify proof of legal status in the United States. Each Applicant shall provide evidence of legal status by submitting a certified copy of a United States birth certificate or other documentation that satisfies the requirements of the Federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. A list of acceptable documents may be obtained by contacting the Board's office.

Source Note:The provisions of this §5.31 adopted to be effective August 2, 2000, 25 TexReg 7166; amended to be effective October 11, 2001, 26 TexReg 7855; amended to be effective April 4, 2004, 29 TexReg 3469; amended to be effective March 30, 2006, 31 TexReg 2456; amended to be effective July 13, 2008, 33 TexReg 5318; amended to be effective June 13, 2010, 35 TexReg 4700; amended to be effective February 21, 2011, 36 TexReg 928; amended to be effective September 18, 2013, 38 TexReg 6039; amended to be effective March 22, 2016, 41 TexReg 2162; amended to be effective January 11, 2017, 42 TexReg 14.