The state of Nebraska has become the 29th state and 31st jurisdiction in the U.S. to create reasonable regulation of the interior design profession and the 16th state to provide independent practice rights to NCIDQ Certificate holders.

Legislative Bill 16 (LB 16) passed the Nebraska Senate by a 42-1-1 vote and was signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen on March 5, 2024. LB 16, an occupational regulation bill which deals with licensure reciprocity and criminal convictions, was amended on the Senate floor to include language creating a voluntary registry for qualified interior designers to independently practice within the scope of work defined. This new law adds Nebraska to the growing list of states that have considered this issue and seen the value of reasonable regulation of interior design.

The bill’s passage is the culmination of a years-long effort by the local chapters of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), with support and guidance from the Consortium for Interior Design, a collaborative advocacy group made up of ASID National, IIDA Headquarters, and the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). Their efforts garnered the support of many Senators, including Senators Tom Brewer, Suzanne Geist, and Megan Hunt. Thanks to their efforts and the passion of advocates for reasonable regulation, the state of Nebraska now recognizes the critical role that interior designers play as professionals who advance the health, safety, and well-being of building occupants and the general public, and allows qualified professionals to practice independently as they are trained and tested to do.

CIDQ congratulates the advocates in Nebraska and thanks Senators Hunt, Brewer, Geist, and all the members of the Nebraska Senate who supported this critical legislation. A special thanks is extended to Senator Tom Brewer, who recognized the importance of collaboration between the design professions; not just in the design process, but in the development of good policy that protects the public.