This is a guest post from Mackenzie Matray, IIDA, VP of Advocacy from the Texas/Oklahoma Chapter.

When people think of Oklahoma, they might picture the new Twisters movie, the Oklahoma City Thunder, our rich Native American heritage, or even our college football teams. But few would associate Oklahoma with the passage of progressive (and ground-breaking, I might add) interior design legislation. Yet, that’s exactly what happened in April 2024–a truly remarkable achievement considering Oklahoma’s complex political landscape. So, how did we get here, you might ask? Well, it all began with the true power of partnership, which is an Oklahoma standard.

In 2021, Oklahoma passed HB 1147, a bill that signaled a shift in advocacy for the interior design profession in the state. HB 1147 introduced the title of “Registered Commercial Interior Designer” (RCID), granted a “stamp” for RCIDs (with no true scope of practice), added an additional RCID to the Oklahoma Board of Architects, and updated the definition of interior design to align with Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Passing this bill was no small feat—especially considering it had been more than 15 years since any interior design legislation had been introduced in Oklahoma. The effort was largely conducted quietly, anticipating resistance from architectural and industry professionals. While HB 1147 marked an important step forward for the interior design profession in Oklahoma, it did not accomplish all that we had hoped for.

By 2022, the Oklahoma Interior Design community faced a tough decision: Were we satisfied with the progress achieved by HB 1147, or should we capitalize on the momentum and advocate for a comprehensive practice act? Ultimately, we chose to pursue further legislation in the form of a commercial practice act, HB 1793, which was signed into law in April 2024. This bill establishes a scope of practice and grants stamp and seal privileges for currently Licensed Interior Designers (LID) in Oklahoma as well as those who seek licensure in the state. Unlike a true practice act, the commercial practice act requires licensing only for those working in code-regulated spaces, allowing other types of interior designers (such as those working in residential spaces or decorators) to continue their practice without changes. Here’s how we made it happen.

Advice and Lessons Learned

1. Know your key stakeholders and include them in the process.

One of the most important skills an interior designer can learn is identifying key stakeholders and assessing when to involve them in discussions about decisions that may have an impact on them. This also applies to the legislative process. We found the most success when we brought everyone to the table. Our profession is often underrepresented, so it can feel intimidating to be in the minority, but it’s important to create an environment where related professions and trades can express their concerns and be met with understanding. You may not all agree in the end, but the act of inclusion can set the tone for progress. Diversity of thought will always lead to better outcomes.

2. Create partnerships and grow professional relationships.

In addition to identifying your key stakeholders, forming relationships with them is equally important. We found the greatest success when we established a strong connection with our local AIA Chapter and Board of Architects through the RCID Task Force. AIA Oklahoma even issued a statement supporting HB 1793 and had members advocate for our bill during their “Roam the Dome” Capitol Day. Who would’ve thought this could ever be possible!

3. Remember that the lobbyist you select is important.

Choosing a lobbyist can be a make-or-break point for any legislative effort. Make sure that you thoroughly vet your lobbying candidates and choose one with experience in similar professional legislation. They need to understand stakeholders, legislators, and be able to navigate the specific political climate of your state. And make sure you get along with them–they’re your teammate and advocate. You want to know they will have your back. Most likely, you will be working with them for multiple years, possibly even after legislation is achieved!

4. Keep the focus local.

While much of our professional work is influenced by national and international trends, our profession is regulated on a much more local scale. There are so many national organizations, including IIDA, that provide you with incredible resources and support, and you should absolutely utilize them. However, when you're in discussions with local professionals, representatives, and regulating bodies, it's best to keep the focus on the impacts you want to make in your own community. We found that our stakeholders weren't all that interested in "catching up" to national trends, but instead sought to set a new standard that was best for Oklahoma. We brought modern statutes from several states to use as examples for what we wanted to achieve in Oklahoma, but in the end, we worked together to create something unique to us.

4. Keep the focus local.

While much of our professional work is influenced by national and international trends, our profession is regulated on a much more local scale. There are so many national organizations, including IIDA, that provide you with incredible resources and support, and you should absolutely utilize them. However, when you're in discussions with local professionals, representatives, and regulating bodies, it's best to keep the focus on the impacts you want to make in your own community. We found that our stakeholders weren't all that interested in "catching up" to national trends, but instead sought to set a new standard that was best for Oklahoma. We brought modern statutes from several states to use as examples for what we wanted to achieve in Oklahoma, but in the end, we worked together to create something unique to us.

5. Grassroots, grassroots, and more grassroots.

Make sure you have a big emphasis on grassroots efforts. Encourage your members to reach out to their legislators. It is even more helpful if you provide members with a template email and way to find who their legislators are. The less time and fewer steps are involved, the more people are willing to help. Skeptical that legislators even read their emails? Surprisingly, I have received personal responses from multiple legislators whom I have contacted. While I don’t expect this to happen to everyone, just know that your emails are being seen and are an important part of grassroots efforts!

6. Have town halls and a Capitol Day.

Put on a town hall event for your members and encourage them to participate in a Q&A panel. Everyone benefits from learning more about what is happening in their profession. The same goes for a Capitol Day. Invite your members to attend and have designers share with legislators why your bill is so important to them. During our Capitol Day, we had so many great conversations about our profession with lobbyists, many of whom were stunned to find out that we didn’t have a practice act in place.

7. Don’t be afraid to compromise.

Another way we found success was by reaching an agreement with the architects to add a section into the bill that prohibits the general public from working on high-hazard buildings (code use group H). In Oklahoma, most of the buildings designated as H are chemical manufacturing plants and medical marijuana grow facilities—both of which require specialized knowledge to plan correctly. This all goes back to the power of partnership!

8. Be patient.

Understanding that legislation won’t get passed overnight is key. HB 1793 actually stalled on the Senate Floor in 2023 due to unforeseen political circumstances. Fortunately, we were able to pick up exactly where we left off in 2024, but we had to wait a whole year for the next legislative session.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. If I had to guess, you probably used AI at least once today and you didn’t even realize it. While AI is an extremely useful tool that can enhance creativity and efficiency in design, it lacks the ethical judgement, accountability, and human expertise that licensed practitioners bring to the table. Interior design requires a deep knowledge of codes and regulations, spatial awareness, experience of interior spaces, and the understanding and compassion of client relationships/needs. These are factors that go beyond the data and algorithms of AI. By reiterating the importance of licensed human oversight in the new regulations, we can ensure that technology does not replace the licensed professionals who are responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.

As AI continues to evolve, so too will this regulation, ensuring that Oklahoma stays ahead of the curve with a forward-thinking approach to professional integrity and technology development. While it’s a bold step, it demonstrates that while we embrace innovation, Oklahoma remains committed to prioritizing the expertise and accountability of its licensed professionals.

Learn more about IIDA's Advocacy efforts or find out how to be involved in your state.