Do You Need an Interior Designer License? State-by-State Guide
Interior designers plan and design interior spaces for functionality, safety, and aesthetics. Some states require interior designers to be registered or licensed, particularly for commercial projects that involve building code compliance.
Quick Answer
27 of 51 states require an state-level interior designer license or certification.
State-by-State Interior Designer License Requirements
The table below shows whether each state requires an state-level interior designer license, the regulation level (where available), and a link to the relevant licensing authority.
| State | License Required | Regulation Level | Board Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Alaska | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Arizona | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Arkansas | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| California | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Colorado | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Connecticut | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Delaware | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| District of Columbia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Florida | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Georgia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Hawaii | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Idaho | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Illinois | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Indiana | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Iowa | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Kansas | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Kentucky | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Louisiana | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Maine | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Maryland | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Massachusetts | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Michigan | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Minnesota | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Mississippi | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Missouri | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Montana | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Nebraska | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Nevada | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New Hampshire | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| New Jersey | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New Mexico | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New York | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| North Carolina | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| North Dakota | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Ohio | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Oklahoma | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Oregon | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Rhode Island | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| South Carolina | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| South Dakota | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Tennessee | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Texas | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Utah | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Vermont | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Virginia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Washington | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| West Virginia | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Wisconsin | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Wyoming | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
What If My State Doesn't Require a License?
Even if your state does not mandate an state-level interior designer license, you may still need to meet local requirements. Many cities and counties impose their own licensing, registration, or permit requirements. Additionally, voluntary certification from professional organizations can enhance your credibility and job prospects. Always check with your local government and relevant professional associations.
How to Get Licensed
If your state requires an interior designer license, requirements typically include completing an approved education or training program, passing an exam, and submitting an application with applicable fees. Specific requirements vary by state — visit your state's licensing board website (linked in the table above) for detailed information on the application process.
Requirements change — always verify with your state's licensing authority.
Check Your State's Requirements
See the full licensing requirements for your state, including fees, education hours, and exams.