ADVOCACY

Engage the public and advance the profession

Interior Design is always evolving. Regulations, technology, and best practices shift quickly, and tapping into the IIDA community is the best resource for professional designers and design firms to succeed.

The Carolinas Chapter of IIDA encourages all our members to advocate for interior design. Through education and engagement, we can share the importance of interior design with the general public: what it is, and how it plays a critical role in the health, safety, and welfare of the interior environment.

By staying informed and up to date with the interior design industry, pursuing knowledge and maintaining high levels of credentials, we provide more value to the consumer, and greater mentorship to our peers. When designers are informed and safe, we can achieve exceptional creativity and effectiveness as we support our clients and communities.

IIDA-Carolinas supports the Association’s goal of legal recognition for interior design in both North and South Carolina. We believe every member should know our state and national design laws, advocacy efforts by IIDA Coalitions, and the professional and financial benefits of registration.

Interested in meeting your legislator? Reach out to our Consultant Advocate for an opportunity to meet them.

North Carolina
Kerry Burke, Senior VP
McGuire Woods Consulting
kburke@mwcllc.com

South Carolina
Amber S. Barnes, Senior VP, State Government Relations
McGuire Woods Consulting
asbrnes@mwcllc.com

VP of Advocacy contact information:  Alison Volckens at avolckens@cdesigninc.com

We are so excited to have this new legislation in place, but it is up to us, to be sure we keep this licensure agreement.  We need all eligible Interior Designers to get registered.  Below are links to information and details on how to register and as always, reach out to our board with any questions you may have.

Alison Volckens, VP of Advocacy avolckens@cdesigninc.com

NC RID Annual Renewals are due by June 30th each year.

On January 22, 2026, H.5010 was introduced in the South Carolina House and has since been assigned to the LCI Committee.

What this bill does:
 Establishes a voluntary title act protecting the title Registered Interior Designer
 Expands the SC Board of Architectural Examiners to include Registered Interior Designers
 Allows Registered Interior Designers to sign and stamp interior-only drawings within a clearly defined scope of practice

This is an important step forward for professional recognition, clarity, and public protection. A result of years of thoughtful advocacy. More updates to come as the bill moves through committee.

The consortium for Interior Design is a collaboration of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) in pursuit of reasonable regulation of the Interior Design Profession.