Do you have to be certified to be an interior designer?

Question

I'm into interior designing and want to do it on the side while I go to college for some extra money. I want to know if I have to be certified or need some sort of special training in order to do this. Anyone know?

Answer 1

In my state, you must have a degree, register with the State Board of Equalization, have a license and be a member of ASID in order to call yourself an interior designer or practice it.  There are related fields that do not have the same requirements such as staging, interior rearranging and decorating but you cannot charge the same rates and still must register with the State and have a license.

Answer 2

You don't need to take any special classes or anything in order to do interior design... it just looks better to your clients if you have some sort of "official" training to back it up. :)