in the built‐environment industry who design and promote buildings that are environmentally healthy. They administer the examinations for LEED® certification for architects and interior designers in commercial and residential design. (www.usgbc.org)
Other membership categories are:
Students
Associate
Architect
Industry partner (IP)
Educator member
The current requirements for each category as well as proper use of the ASID appellation on business stationary are available on the ASID Web site under the “Membership Information” tab (www.asid.org). A different version of the appellation is required for all member levels.
Practitioner members of ASID are required to complete 10 contact hours (equal to 1.0 CEUs) every two years. This is a self‐reporting requirement. Failure to comply with the CEU requirement makes the member subject to a termination of Society membership.
It is important to note that when an individual applies for any level of membership, by signing the application, he agrees to abide by the association's bylaws and code of ethics.
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
The IIDA “works to advance the value of the interior design and its practitioners as well as to cultivate leadership within the profession.”2 The IIDA has approximately 15,000 members in the United States around the world, working in all areas of residential and commercial interior design. Members practice in numerous commercial specialties as well as residential interior design.
There are several membership categories in IIDA. Professional membership is the highest category of membership in IIDA. It is reserved for those members whose work experience, educational background, and successful completion of the NCIDQ examination permit them to apply for this membership category.
The next level of practitioner in IIDA is Associate members. These members are actively engaged in the profession of interior design. Associate members have met the same educational requirements as professional members, but have not completed the NCIDQ examination.
Other membership categories are:
Architect
Student membership
Industry members
Educator membership
International member. These are associate or professional designers located outside of IIDA chapters and essentially living outside the United States.
The current requirements as well as proper use of the IIDA appellation on business stationary for each category are available on the IIDA Web site under the “Membership” tab (www.iida.org). A different version of the appellation is required for all other member levels.
Professional and associate members are required to complete 1.0 CEUs every two years. Other membership categories might be required to complete CEUs as well. Research the current standards from the IIDA Web site.
As with ASID, by signing the application for any level of membership, the individual agrees to abide by IIDA's bylaws and code of ethics.
International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI)
This professional association was founded in 1963 in Denmark. “IFI is the sole international federating body for Interior Architecture/Design organizations and acts as a global forum for the exchange and development of knowledge and experience, in worldwide education, research and practice.”3 The IFI supports interior architects/designers on an international network. It represents designers, educators, and others in the international community.
There are several membership levels in IFI, the highest being professional. The professional level of membership has requirements that are similar to those of professional membership in ASID, IIDA, or IDC, but requirements do vary somewhat. You can find out more about IFI and its specific membership requirements by contacting its national office or searching www.ifiworld.org.
Interior Designers of Canada (IDC)
The IDC, founded in 1972, is the national professional association in Canada. IDC works in coordination with nine provincial associations:
Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia (www.idibc.org)
Interior Designers of Alberta (www.idalberta.ca)
Interior Designers Association of Saskatchewan (www.idas.ca)
Professional Interior Designers Institute of Manitoba (www.pidim.ca)
Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (www.arido.ca)
Association of Registered Interior Designers of New Brunswick (www.aridnb.ca)
Interior Designers of Nova Scotia (www.idns.ca)
Association professoinnelle des designers d'interior du Quebec (www.apdiq.com)
Interior Designers of Newfoundland and Labrador (www.idnl.ca)
The IDC is “the national advocacy association for the interior design associations”4 in Canada. It works with its nine provincial association members to advance the interior design profession and design education in Canada. Its members work in all specialties of interior design and design education. Members of IDC must hold the highest level of membership in their provincial association and must pass the international NCIDQ qualification examination.
IDC offers its members conferences, a newsletter, and education and learning opportunities through continuing education classes and programs. IDC also serves as the primary representative of the Canadian interior design profession to the Canadian federal government.
