Changes to Improve Interior Designers' Scope of Practice

Government is introducing changes that will benefit interior designers, their clients and the building industry in Nova Scotia.

The proposed amendments to the Interior Designers Act, introduced today, April 28, will modify the scope of practice of interior designers to allow them to work on projects that use the Building Code process.

Under current legislation, the practice of interior designers is defined too broadly and, as a result, their role is not recognized under Building Code Regulations. That means interior designers do not have authority to sign off on Building Code projects they have worked on.

This prevents them from working on Building Code projects. The proposed changes to the legislation will help remove this barrier.

"Much of the work of interior designers is done in the context of Building Code Regulations and the act was never intended to restrict the ability of interior designers to do their job," said Mr. Landry. "The changes being proposed today will make the process more efficient and improve the scope of practice for interior designers."

Removing the barrier is a two-step process. The first is the changes being proposed to the Interior Designers Act. The second is changes to the Building Code Regulations, which are being considered by the Department of Labour and Advanced Education.

"The Interior Designers Association of Nova Scotia welcomes the proposed changes to the Interior Designers Act," said Denise Hermanson, president of the Interior Designers Association of Nova Scotia. "These changes will add clarity for building officials in administering building code permits and allow Interior Designers to better serve their clients."

Interior designers are regulated by the Interior Designers Act. They provide design services for non-structural construction and alterations to building interiors.