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S 3107

An Act relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joan Lovely and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a state-licensed framework requiring registration, education, and ongoing oversight for commercial interior designers in Massachusetts.

Read third and passed to be engrossed
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Bill Summary · S 3107

Summary of Bill: S.3107 - An Act relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design (Massachusetts, 194th General Court)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to advance and formalize the profession of commercial interior design in Massachusetts by creating and regulating a state-licensed framework for commercial interior designers.
  • It seeks to clarify the scope of practice, establish credentialing, create a dedicated board for registration, and provide oversight, discipline, and continuing education requirements.

Key provisions and changes

  • Redefined “Designer” (Section 1):

    • Broadens the definition to include individuals and entities engaged in architecture, landscape architecture, registered commercial interior design, or engineering.
    • Sets criteria for various entity types (individuals, partnerships, corporations, joint ventures) to ensure that leadership or ownership includes qualified professionals (registered architects, landscape architects, commercial interior designers, or engineers).

  • Definition of “Commercial Interior Designer” (Section 2):

    • Establishes that a commercial interior designer is a person or entity engaged as the prime consultant for nonstructural interior work in buildings and who provides services not requiring a registered architect, landscape architect, or engineer.
    • Requires registration under chapters 112, sections 298–307.

  • Elimination of “Interior Designer” term (Section 3):

    • Removes the prior definition of “Interior designer,” replacing it with “Commercial Interior Designer” terminology in relevant sections.

  • Board for designer selection (Section 5):

    • Expands or reorganizes the existing designer selection board within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance.
    • Specifies composition: 11 members (8 appointed by the governor with professional credentials in architecture, interior design, and engineering, plus a public representative; 3 additional members from professional associations and contractor groups).
    • Terms: 2-year terms, with one possible renewal for one additional 2-year term.
    • Adds a nonvoting project manager representative for each project under their jurisdiction.

  • New Board of Registration of Commercial Interior Designers (Section 6):

    • Creates a standalone Board of Registration for Commercial Interior Designers within the Division of Occupational Licensure.
    • Composition: 5 members (4 interior designers with at least 5 years of practice and registration, plus 1 public member).
    • Terms: 3 years; up to 2 consecutive terms allowed.
    • Procedures for vacancies, meetings, quorum, rules, and enforcement.

  • Licensing and regulation under Chapter 112 (Sections 7, 8):

    • Adds new sections (298–307) to Chapter 112 to establish:
    • Definitions for the board, building, certificate of registration, commercial interior design, nonstructural interior construction, and scope of practice.
    • Eligibility and process to become a registered commercial interior designer (including NCIDQ exam, accredited education, practical experience, certifications, and documentation).
    • Fees, continuing education requirements, and renewal procedures.
    • Prohibitions on using the “registered” title without registration; limited exceptions allowing non-registered work in certain contexts (e.g., kitchen/bath planning, retail employee consultations).
    • Grounds for disciplinary actions (revocation, suspension, censure) and the process for complaints and hearings.
    • Seal requirements: registered designers must seal plans and documents they authored or supervised.
    • Remedies for enforcement of board decisions, including court intervention if needed.
    • Provisional registration provision (Section 8):
    • Allows individuals with at least 10 years of full-time interior design experience to obtain a provisional registration.
    • Provisional registrants have up to 3 years to obtain NCIDQ certification and convert to full registration, subject to board approval and ongoing requirements.

  • Implementation timeline (Section 10):

    • All Sections 1–9 become effective 1 year after the act’s effective date.

  • Nominal provisions (Sections 9, 10):

    • Preserves protections for existing designer board members at the time of enactment.
    • Ensures implementation and transition proceed on a defined timeline.

Affected parties

  • Individuals and firms practicing commercial interior design in Massachusetts, particularly those acting as prime consultants on nonstructural interior projects.
  • Registered architects, landscape architects, engineers, and related professionals, due to the clarified or expanded definitions of “Designer” and interprofessional boundaries.
  • Prospective commercial interior designers seeking state registration, credentialing through NCIDQ, and continuing education requirements.
  • Employers, project managers, and public bodies involved in procurement and contracting for buildings requiring interior design services.
  • The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure and related regulatory bodies responsible for licensure, discipline, and enforcement.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Creation of two regulatory bodies: an enhanced designer selection board within the executive office and a new Board of Registration of Commercial Interior Designers within the Division of Occupational Licensure.
  • Establishes a formal licensure scheme with application processes, fees, renewals every two years, and mandatory continuing education.
  • Provides for provisional registration pathway with a 3-year window to achieve NCIDQ certification.
  • Enforcement mechanisms include potential fines, imprisonment (limited), or revocation of registration, with formal disciplinary procedures and appeals/hearings.
  • Effective date contingent on passage; all provisions become effective one year after enactment.

Notes on scope and balance

  • Focuses on nonstructural interior construction work and clarifies boundaries with architecture and engineering to avoid overlap in licensure.
  • Maintains certain allowances for non-registered professionals in specific contexts (e.g., architectural practice preserved, kitchen/bath planning within scope, or retail staff consultations) to avoid overregulation of adjacent fields.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law (Chapter 7C, 13, and 112) to highlight exact changes and potential compliance considerations for firms.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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