If you’re planning a home renovation or commercial project in South Florida, you’ve likely encountered the terms “interior designer” and “interior decorator” and wondered what the difference is. While these titles are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct professions with different qualifications, skill sets, and legal authority in Florida. Understanding these differences is crucial to hiring the right professional for your project—and potentially saving yourself thousands of dollars in costly mistakes.
The Quick Answer: Education, Registration & Scope of Work
In Florida, anyone can call themselves an “interior designer” for residential projects. However, “Registered Interior Designers” have passed the NCIDQ exam and registered with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which legally allows them to work on commercial projects. Registered Interior Designers can create construction documents, coordinate with architects and contractors, and design both structural and non-structural elements. Interior decorators focus exclusively on aesthetics—selecting furniture, fabrics, colors, and accessories—and do not require formal credentials in Florida.
Understanding Florida’s Interior Design Regulations
Florida deregulated interior design over the past two decades, making the regulatory landscape more complex than in many other states. Here’s what you need to know:
The Title “Interior Designer” is Unregulated
Following the landmark 2011 federal court case Locke v. Shore, Florida cannot restrict who uses the title “interior designer.” This means anyone—with or without education, experience, or credentials—can legally call themselves an interior designer for residential projects.
“Registered Interior Designer” is a Protected Credential
While the title “interior designer” is unregulated, “Registered Interior Designer” is a protected credential in Florida. Only individuals who have passed the NCIDQ examination and registered with the Florida DBPR can legally practice commercial interior design or use the title “Registered Interior Designer.”
Commercial vs. Residential Work
Registration is required only for commercial interior design work—designing hospitals, hotels, restaurants, offices, retail spaces, assisted living facilities, and other public/commercial buildings. Residential interior design is completely unregulated in Florida. Anyone can design residential interiors without registration, education, or examination.
Registered Interior Designer: The Complete Definition
Registration Requirements
To become a Registered Interior Designer in Florida, professionals must:
- Pass the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) examination
- Apply for registration with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Pay the registration fee ($30 initially, plus biennial renewal fees)
- Complete continuing education requirements (20 hours every two years for those maintaining registration)
Note: While NCIDQ passage typically requires a design degree and work experience, Florida’s registration process itself only requires passing the exam and paying fees. The education and experience requirements are part of NCIDQ eligibility, not Florida state law.
What Registered Interior Designers Can Do
Registered Interior Designers in Florida have the authority and expertise to:
- Design commercial interiors including space planning and layout
- Create construction documents for non-structural interior elements
- Specify and coordinate reflected ceiling plans
- Design interior spaces in hospitals, hotels, restaurants, offices, and public buildings
- Coordinate with architects and engineers on commercial projects
- Specify fixtures and their locations within interior spaces
- Design furniture, finishes, and equipment for all project types
- Work on both residential and commercial projects
Important limitation: Florida law specifically excludes registered interior designers from architectural and engineering work except for specifying fixtures and their locations. Load-bearing walls, structural modifications, and building envelope work require a licensed architect or engineer.
Interior Designer (Unregistered): What This Means
Since Florida deregulated the title “interior designer,” this term now encompasses a wide range of professionals with varying levels of education and experience.
Who Can Use This Title
In Florida, these individuals may all call themselves “interior designers” for residential work:
- NCIDQ-certified professionals who haven’t registered in Florida (or let registration lapse)
- Graduates of interior design programs who haven’t taken the NCIDQ
- Self-taught designers with portfolio experience
- Individuals transitioning from related fields (architecture, staging, real estate)
- Anyone with no formal training who chooses to use the title
What Unregistered Interior Designers Can Do
For residential projects in Florida, unregistered interior designers can provide a full range of design services including space planning, furniture selection, color schemes, lighting design, material specifications, contractor coordination, and project management. The key restriction is they cannot work on commercial projects that require a Registered Interior Designer.
Interior Decorator: The Complete Definition
Credentials & Training
Interior decorators in Florida require no formal credentials, registration, or examination. Many pursue voluntary certificate programs (6 months to 2 years), online courses, or apprenticeships. Some professional decorators join organizations like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) or seek voluntary certifications, but none are required by Florida law.
What Interior Decorators Typically Provide
Interior decorators focus on aesthetic elements:
- Paint colors, wallpapers, and wall treatments
- Furniture selection and arrangement
- Fabric selection for upholstery, drapery, and bedding
- Lighting fixture selection (not electrical planning)
- Accessories, artwork, and styling
- Window treatment selection and coordination
- Shopping services and furniture procurement
- Room styling and staging
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Registered Interior Designer | Interior Designer (Unregistered) | Interior Decorator |
| Florida Registration | Required (DBPR) | Not required | Not required |
| NCIDQ Exam | Required | Not required | Not required |
| Commercial Projects | Yes – legally authorized | No – not authorized | No – not authorized |
| Residential Projects | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Construction Documents | Yes – non-structural | Depends on skill/project | Typically no |
| Typical Cost Range | $100-$350+ per hour | $75-$250 per hour | $50-$150 per hour |
Which Professional Do You Need for Your Project?
You Need a Registered Interior Designer If:
- Your project is a commercial space (restaurant, office, hotel, retail, healthcare facility)
- You’re designing a mixed-use property combining commercial and residential elements
- Your project requires coordination with architects and engineers on commercial construction
- You need someone with verified credentials and NCIDQ certification
An Interior Designer (Registered or Unregistered) Works Well If:
- You’re renovating a home in Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, or Miami
- You want comprehensive design services including space planning and contractor coordination
- Your project involves kitchen or bathroom renovations requiring technical drawings
- You need one professional to manage design from concept to installation
- You want professional expertise in materials suited to South Florida’s climate
An Interior Decorator Is Sufficient If:
- You’re happy with your home’s layout but want to refresh the aesthetics
- You need help selecting furniture, fabrics, paint colors, and accessories
- You’re staging your home for sale
- Your project doesn’t involve construction, contractors, or technical drawings
- You have a limited budget focused only on decorative elements
How to Verify Credentials in Florida
Because anyone can call themselves an “interior designer” in Florida, verifying credentials is essential:
To Verify Registered Interior Designer Status
Visit MyFloridaLicense.com and search by name or registration number. The database shows current registration status and any disciplinary actions. A valid Registered Interior Designer will have an active registration number beginning with “ID.”
To Verify NCIDQ Certification
Visit NCIDQ.org and use their verification tool. NCIDQ-certified professionals receive a certificate number that can be independently verified. This credential indicates the individual has passed the rigorous NCIDQ examination, regardless of whether they’ve registered in Florida.
Questions to Ask Any Interior Professional
- Are you a Registered Interior Designer in Florida? Can you provide your registration number?
- Have you passed the NCIDQ examination?
- What is your educational background in interior design?
- How many years have you been practicing professionally?
- Can you provide references from similar projects?
- Do you carry professional liability insurance?
Cost Considerations in South Florida
In the Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Miami markets, pricing varies significantly based on credentials, experience, and project scope.
Registered Interior Designers: $100-$350+ per hour for luxury residential projects, or 10-25% of total project cost for full-service design. For a $200,000 kitchen renovation, expect design fees of $20,000-$50,000.
Interior Designers (Unregistered): $75-$250 per hour depending on experience and education. Rates vary widely based on whether the designer has formal training, NCIDQ certification, or extensive portfolio experience.
Interior Decorators: $50-$150 per hour, or flat-fee packages ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 for single-room projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone really call themselves an interior designer in Florida?
Yes, for residential projects. Following the 2011 Locke v. Shore case, Florida cannot restrict use of the title “interior designer” for residential work. However, only Registered Interior Designers can work on commercial projects or use the protected title “Registered Interior Designer.”
Do I need a Registered Interior Designer for a condo renovation in Miami Beach?
Not necessarily—condo renovations are residential projects unless the building contains commercial elements (ground-floor retail, offices). However, many condo boards require professionally prepared drawings for approval. An experienced interior designer (registered or not) or architect can provide these documents. Check your specific building’s requirements.
What if my designer has NCIDQ certification but isn’t registered in Florida?
For residential projects, this is perfectly legal and often acceptable. NCIDQ certification indicates professional competency through examination. Some qualified designers choose not to maintain Florida registration if they work exclusively on residential projects. However, they cannot work on commercial projects without registration.
Can an interior decorator create floor plans?
Interior decorators can create simple furniture layout plans showing placement of existing pieces. However, they typically don’t have the training to create technical construction drawings, space plans involving structural considerations, or documents requiring coordination with contractors and building codes.
Is registration required for someone designing their own commercial space?
Property owners designing their own commercial spaces don’t need to be Registered Interior Designers. However, when construction documents are required for permits, they must be prepared by a registered professional (Registered Interior Designer, architect, or engineer depending on the scope of work).
Making the Right Choice for Your South Florida Project
The distinction between these professionals ultimately comes down to scope, credentials, and legal authority. For commercial projects in South Florida, you must hire a Registered Interior Designer. For residential projects, you have more flexibility—choosing based on the professional’s experience, portfolio, credentials (like NCIDQ certification), and compatibility with your project needs.
The key is asking the right questions upfront. Don’t assume someone calling themselves an “interior designer” has formal education, NCIDQ certification, or registration. Verify credentials, review portfolios, check references, and ensure the professional you hire has the specific expertise your project requires.
At Shuster Design Studio in Fort Lauderdale, we are NCIDQ-certified Registered Interior Designers with over 40 years of experience creating timeless, functional spaces throughout South Florida. We handle both residential and commercial projects with the expertise and credentials to ensure your project is beautiful, functional, and meets all regulatory requirements.
Ready to discuss your project? Contact Shuster Design Studio at (954) 462-6400 or visit shusterdesign.com to schedule a consultation.
