As used in this chapter:

1. (1) "Building" means an enclosed structure, including the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems, utility services, and other facilities the structure requires, that has human occupancy or habitation as the structure's principal purpose and is subject to the State Construction Code or an approved code under Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act.
2. (2) "International Building Code" means the edition of the International Building Code, issued by the International Code Council, most recently adopted by the state in Section 15A-2-103.

3. (3)

   1. (a) "Practice of commercial interior design" means, in relation to obtaining a building permit independent of an architect licensed under Title 58, Chapter 3a, Architects Licensing Act, the preparation of a plan or specification for, or the supervision of new construction, alteration, or repair of, an interior space within a newly constructed or existing building when the core and shell structural elements are not going to be changed.
   2. (b) "Practice of commercial interior design" only includes the preparation of a plan or specification for, or the supervision of new construction, alteration, or repair of, a building for any occupancy classification in the International Building Code if the work is limited to non-structural, non-seismic, and non-load-bearing interior elements in accordance with this section.

   3. (c) "Practice of commercial interior design" does not include:

      1. (i) providing commercial construction documents, independent of a licensed architect, for a space that:

         1. (A) is lacking base building life safety components installed or designed and permitted, including required exit stairs and enclosures, paths of travel, ramps, horizontal exit passageways, disabled access, fire alarm systems, and base building fire suppression systems; or
         2. (B) is undergoing a change of occupancy classification when a licensed architect or a licensed engineer is required in accordance with the International Building Code; or

      2. (ii) making changes to or an addition of:

         1. (A) a foundation, a beam, a truss, a column, or other primary structural framing member or seismic system;
         2. (B) a structural concrete slab, a floor or roof framing structure, or a bearing or shear wall;
         3. (C) an opening in the roof, a floor, an exterior wall, a bearing or shear wall;
         4. (D) an exterior door, a window, an awning, a canopy, a sunshade, signage, or a similar exterior building element;
         5. (E) as described in the International Building Code, life safety equipment, including a smoke, fire, or a carbon dioxide sensor or detector, or an overhead building element; or
         6. (F) a piece of heating, ventilating, or air conditioning equipment or a heating, ventilating, or air conditioning distribution system, a building management system, a high or medium voltage electrical distribution system, a standby or emergency power system, plumbing, a fire alarm system, a fire sprinkler system, a security or monitoring system, or a related building system.
4. (4) "State certification" means a designation the division grants on behalf of the state to an individual who meets the requirements for an occupation or profession this chapter describes.
5. (5) "Unlawful conduct" means the same as that term is defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-86-301.

Amended by Chapter 233, 2026 General Session