OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Oklahoma Interior Design Coalition) April 29, 2024—Oklahoma legislation passed last week changes the legally recognized title of interior design to provide clarity for scopes of practice within the profession. HB 1793 was approved by the Oklahoma House and Senate, then signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt on April 26, 2024. This landmark bill recognizes interior design as a distinct profession in the built environment and acknowledges the vital role that professional interior designers play in safeguarding occupant health, safety, and well-being.

HB 1793 changes the title “Registered Commercial Interior Designer” to “Licensed Interior Designer” with a specified scope of practice. The title of “Interior Designer” is not a protected title and is not restricted to those licensed by the state board, meaning that interior designers or decorators practicing outside of this scope will remain unaffected. The law goes into effect immediately.

The legislation was introduced and sponsored by Representative Mike Osburn in the House of Representatives and by Senator Adam Pugh in the Senate. Practitioners will continue to be regulated by the Oklahoma Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Licensed Interior Designers. The bill recognizes the education, experience, and examination of interior designers whose work protects the health, safety, and well-being in the built environment including ADA-friendly design, fire safety codes, and other building codes. HB 1793 makes Oklahoma the latest state to establish or modernize legislation for registered interior designers, following Nebraska in March 2024; Iowa in 2023; Illinois and Wisconsin in 2022; and North Carolina in 2021. It represents a multiple-year effort by the Oklahoma Interior Design Coalition (OIDC), in cooperation with the Consortium for Interior Design, a collaborative advocacy group comprising of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and CIDQ (Council for Interior Design Qualification).

Mackenzie Matray, President of the Oklahoma Interior Design Coalition

"The passing of Oklahoma's HB1793 marks a new, groundbreaking era for Licensed Interior Designers in the state. By empowering licensed professionals to officially stamp and seal drawings under the new designated scope, it marks a pivotal step towards the enhanced recognition and credibility within the Interior Design Industry. After a multi-year battle with many ups and downs, I am so proud of Oklahoma as we continue to Pave the Way for the future of our profession."

About the Oklahoma Interior Design Coalition
The Oklahoma Interior Design Coalition is a volunteer, non-profit legislative advocate dedicated to promoting, protecting and enhancing the Interior Design profession in the State of Oklahoma. OIDC’s mission is to protect the health, safety and well-being of the public. For questions, please contact Mackenzie Matray at mmatray@newfirenative.com.