CHAPTER 396a
INTERIOR DESIGNERS

      Sec. 20-377k. Definitions. As used in this chapter: (1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Consumer Protection; and (2) "interior designer" means a person qualified by education, experience and examination who (A) identifies, researches and creatively solves problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment; and (B) performs services relative to interior spaces, including programming, design analysis, space planning and aesthetics, using specialized knowledge of non-load-bearing interior construction, building systems and components, building codes, equipment, materials and furnishings; and (C) prepares plans and specifications for non-load-bearing interior construction, materials, finishes, space planning, reflected ceiling plans, furnishings, fixtures and equipment relative to the design of interior spaces in order to enhance and protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

      (P.A. 83-347, S. 1; P.A. 87-519, S. 1, 13; P.A. 92-43; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 87-519 added definition of "commissioner", effective July 1, 1988; P.A. 92-43 amended the definition of "interior designer" to clarify that such designers' knowledge deals with "non-load-bearing" interior construction and added new language indicating that interior designers prepare "plans and specifications for non-load-bearing interior construction, materials, finishes, space planning, reflected ceiling plans, furnishings, fixtures and equipment" relative to the design of interior spaces; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Consumer Protection with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.

      Sec. 20-377l. Use of title. No person shall use the title "interior designer" or display or use any words, letters, figures, title, advertisement or other device to indicate that he is an interior designer, unless he (1) has obtained a certificate of registration as provided in sections 20-377k to 20-377v, inclusive; or (2) is an architect licensed in this state; or (3) has used or was identified by the title of "interior designer" for at least one year immediately preceding October 1, 1983.

      (P.A. 83-347, S. 2; P.A. 87-519, S. 2, 13.)

      History: P.A. 87-519 made a technical change, removing mention of the required passing of the uniform national examination and replacing it with the requirement of obtaining a certificate of registration, effective October 1, 1988.

      Sec. 20-377m. Application for certificate of registration. Fee. (a) A person seeking a certificate of registration as an interior designer shall apply to the commissioner in writing, on a form provided by the commissioner. Such application shall include the applicant's name, residence address, business address and such other information as the commissioner may by regulation require.

      (b) Each application for a certificate of registration shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred fifty dollars, provided any architect licensed in this state shall not be required to pay such fee.

      (P.A. 87-519, S. 3, 13; P.A. 89-251, S. 141, 203; P.A. 98-3, S. 54.)

      History: P.A. 87-519, S. 3 effective July 1, 1988; P.A. 89-251 amended Subsec. (b) to increase the registration fee from $75 to $150; P.A. 98-3 made technical changes in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 20-377n. Qualifications for certificate of registration. Reciprocity. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person shall be issued a certificate of registration as an interior designer unless such person submits satisfactory proof that such person has passed (1) the uniform national examination established by the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications or (2) any other examination with standards or requirements equal to or greater than those established by such council, provided the requirements of this subsection shall not apply to an architect licensed in this state.

      (b) The commissioner may issue a certificate of registration as an interior designer, without examination, to any person who is currently registered or licensed in another state having registration or licensing standards or requirements equal to or greater than the standards or requirements established in sections 20-377k to 20-377v, inclusive.

      (P.A. 87-519, S. 4, 13; P.A. 88-364, S. 121, 123; P.A. 90-139, S. 1, 2; P.A. 98-3, S. 55.)

      History: P.A. 87-519, S. 4 effective July 1, 1988; P.A. 88-364 added Subsec. (d) concerning persons who have passed the examination of the Interior Design Society of Chicago, Illinois; P.A. 90-139 extended deadline for registration to July 1, 1991; P.A. 98-3 made technical changes in Subsec. (a) and deleted obsolete Subsecs. (c) and (d).

      Sec. 20-377o. Issuance of certificate of registration. Suspension, revocation, refusal to issue or renew. Notice and hearing. (a) Upon receipt of a completed application and fee, the commissioner shall: (1) Issue and deliver to the applicant a certificate of registration as an interior designer; or (2) refuse to issue such certificate. The commissioner may suspend, revoke or refuse to issue or renew any certificate issued under sections 20-377k to 20-377v, inclusive, for any of the reasons stated in section 20-377s.

      (b) Upon refusal to issue a certificate, the commissioner shall notify the applicant of the denial and of the applicant's right to request a hearing within ten days from the date of receipt of the notice of denial.

      (c) If the applicant requests a hearing within such ten days, the commissioner shall give notice of the grounds for the commissioner's refusal and shall conduct a hearing concerning such refusal in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 concerning contested cases.

      (P.A. 87-519, S. 5, 13; P.A. 98-3, S. 56; P.A. 99-73, S. 7.)

      History: P.A. 87-519, S. 5 effective July 1, 1988; P.A. 98-3 made technical changes; P.A. 99-73 amended Subsec. (a) to permit the commissioner to refuse to issue a certificate issued under Secs. 20-377k to 20-377v, inclusive, for any of the reasons stated in Sec. 20-377s.

      Sec. 20-377p. Commissioner to maintain roster, index and record of registrants. A certificate of registration as an interior designer shall be evidence that the person named in the certificate is entitled to the rights and privileges of a registered interior designer while such certificate remains in effect. The commissioner shall keep a roster of the names and addresses of all registered interior designers, all architects licensed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 390 and of such other information as the commissioner may by regulation require. Annually, during the month of September, the commissioner shall place such roster on file with the Secretary of State and with the building department and library of each town. The commissioner shall maintain an index and record of each certificate of registration. A certificate shall remain in effect until revoked or suspended as provided in section 20-377s.

      (P.A. 87-519, S. 6, 13.)

      History: P.A. 87-519, S. 6 effective July 1, 1988.

      Sec. 20-377q. Investigations. Subpoenas. Injunctions. (a) The commissioner may conduct investigations and hold hearings on any matter under the provisions of sections 20-377k to 20-377v, inclusive. The commissioner may issue subpoenas, administer oaths, compel testimony and order the production of books, records and documents. If any person refuses to appear, to testify or to produce any book, record, paper or document when so ordered, upon application of the commissioner, a judge of the Superior Court may make such order as may be appropriate to aid in the enforcement of this section.

      (b) The Attorney General, at the request of the commissioner, is authorized to apply in the name of the state of Connecticut to the Superior Court for an order temporarily or permanently restraining and enjoining any person from violating any provision of sections 20-377k to 20-377v, inclusive.

      (P.A. 87-519, S. 7, 13; P.A. 98-3, S. 57.)

      History: P.A. 87-519, S. 7 effective July 1, 1988; P.A. 98-3 made a technical change in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 20-377r. Grounds for revocation or suspension of certificate of registration. Notice and hearing. (a) The commissioner may revoke or suspend any certificate of registration as an interior designer for: (1) Conduct of a character likely to mislead, deceive or defraud the public or the commissioner; (2) gross incompetence or (3) violation of any of the provisions of sections 20-377k to 20-377v, inclusive, or any regulation adopted pursuant to any of such provisions.

      (b) The commissioner shall not revoke or suspend any certificate of registration as an interior designer except upon notice and hearing in accordance with chapter 54.

      (P.A. 87-519, S. 8, 13; P.A. 98-3, S. 58.)

      History: P.A. 87-519, S. 8 effective July 1, 1988; P.A. 98-3 made technical changes in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 20-377s. Display of certificate of registration. Prohibitions. Transfer. Expiration of certificate. Renewal fees. (a) A registered interior designer shall exhibit his certificate of registration upon request by any interested party.

      (b) No person shall: (1) Present or attempt to present, as his own, the certificate of another, (2) knowingly give false evidence of a material nature to the commissioner for the purpose of procuring a certificate, (3) use or attempt to use a certificate which has expired or which has been suspended or revoked, (4) represent himself falsely as, or impersonate, a registered interior designer or (5) include his certificate number as a part of any advertisement or represent in any manner that his certificate of registration constitutes an endorsement of the quality of his workmanship or of his competency by the commissioner.

      (c) Certificates of registration issued to an interior designer shall not be transferable or assignable.

      (d) All certificates of registration issued under the provisions of sections 20-377k to 20-377v, inclusive, shall expire annually.

      (e) The fee for renewal of a certificate of registration as an interior designer shall be one hundred fifty dollars, provided any architect licensed in this state shall not be required to pay such fee.

      (P.A. 87-519, S. 9, 13; P.A. 89-251, S. 142, 203; P.A. 94-36, S. 3, 42; P.A. 98-3, S. 59.)

      History: P.A. 87-519, S. 9 effective July 1, 1988; P.A. 89-251 amended Subsec. (e) to increase the registration fee from $75 to $150; P.A. 94-36 amended Subsec. (d) to delete expiration schedule, amended Subsec. (f) to eliminate reference to prorated fees for license applications and deleted Subsec. (g) which allowed late fees for license renewals, effective January 1, 1995; P.A. 98-3 deleted obsolete provision from Subsec. (d) and deleted obsolete Subsec. (f).

      See Sec. 21a-4(c) re fines for late certificate renewals.

      Sec. 20-377t. Regulations. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54, in order to carry out the provisions of sections 20-377k to 20-377v, inclusive.

      (P.A. 87-519, S. 10, 13; P.A. 98-3, S. 60.)

      History: P.A. 87-519, S. 10 effective July 1, 1988; P.A. 98-3 made technical changes.

      Sec. 20-377u. Appeals. Any person aggrieved by an order or decision of the commissioner under sections 20-377k to 20-377v, inclusive, may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.

      (P.A. 87-519, S. 11, 13.)

      History: P.A. 87-519, S. 11 effective July 1, 1988.

      Sec. 20-377v. Penalties. Any person who knowingly, wilfully or intentionally violates any provision of sections 20-377k to 20-377u, inclusive, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or be both fined and imprisoned.

      (P.A. 87-519, S. 12, 13.)

      History: P.A. 87-519, S. 12 effective July 1, 1988.