Right-on
I don't know Hillary Gowins - her antiquated views of the professions needs a refresher.

Thanks, Sara, for making the clear case for the difference between unlicensed interior decoration to which the author was obviously referring, and qualified interior designers who deal with much greater complication and issues that influence infection control and life safety. As Roz has pointed out, licensure protects the public in this area. And in states with title legislation, one cannot simply adopt the title of interior designer. I'm glad you called the author on her misconception. I hope you have tried to contact her with the alternative view.

Thanks, Sara - this debate over licensing for Interior Designers has been ongoing for years. The point you make for issues of patient care and those that involve risk and/or liability help to strengthen the value of licensing. Additionally, as you note, having credentials related to the market segments of practice (in all of our cases, healthcare) add to a client's comfort level they are working with professionals who are trained and knowledgeable in their specific care needs.

Thank you for calling attention to this, Sara. Our interior designers impact infection control, patient privacy, staff productivity and job satisfaction, which is just the tip of the iceberg. It is clearly not “innocuous” and is extremely meaningful and impactful to to the health and welfare of patients, their families and the staff that care for them. Thank you again, Erin.

"What’s surprising to me was the comment that 'by law, anyone can call themselves an interior designer.'" I suppose it depends on the state, but in Virginia, you have to be licensed to call yourself and Interior Designer; the same applies to the title Architect. Sadly, this is symptomatic of the trend nowadays of folks simply downloading an app and assuming they can do the work professionals have trained years to prepare for.

Sara, we are grateful that you get on your soapbox and hold accountable writers who are unqualified and uneducated on this topic. With the mounting body of evidence that interior design is as much science as art, one would hope that such writers with access to the public would be more responsible. The 26 States and Districts that have enacted laws regulating Interior Design did so after exhaustive review, ultimately ruling in favor of life safety for the public. Our aging population, not to mention our current concerns for infection control, demand better outcomes. Licensed and certified interior designers are essential for healthcare design.

Give 'em hell, Sara.

I guess anyone can call themselves a writer.

I am a little late to this discussion but felt it important to add my 3 cents (inflation):

First I wholeheartedly agree with everything Sara shouts from her soapbox but I am sorry to confirm that anybody can in fact...legally call themselves an "Interior Designer."

Even in Virginia as Georgie assumed anybody can call themselves an interior designers. The legislation in Virgina only regulates "Certified Interior Designers" or CID's. Yes this is a very subtle semantic nuance but it is one that many design professionals fail to grasp.

In the end...until the general public, and ill informed journalists(?) such as Hilary Gowins, not only understand, but respect, the subtle distinction between a "Certified" Interior Designer and an "Interior Designer" we will continue to suffer the broad brush misunderstanding of our true value to society.

Thanks again Sara for the post...it's a start.