Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8534)
The official title is the "Philippine Interior Design Act of 1998."
The practice of interior design is the act of planning, designing, specifying, supervising, and administering the functional, orderly, and aesthetic development of building interiors that enhance and safeguard life, health, and property and promote quality of life.
Qualifications include being a Filipino citizen and resident, at least 35 years old, of proven integrity, holding a Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design, a registered interior designer with at least 10 years of active practice, not affiliated with any interior design school as faculty or administration, not connected with review centers, a member in good standing of the accredited association, and without convictions involving moral turpitude.
The Board formulates rules and regulations, supervises registration and practice, administers oaths, issues licenses, adopts codes of ethics, hears administrative cases, monitors the profession's condition, coordinates with CHED for education standards, adopts continuing education programs, and more.
A weighted general average of 75% with no grade lower than 60% in any subject is required to pass the examination.
No. The practice of interior design is a professional service for individuals; firms, companies, partnerships, associations, or corporations cannot be registered or licensed to practice interior design.
Violators may be fined between Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) and Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), imprisoned from six (6) months to three (3) years, or both, at the court's discretion.
Foreign nationals may practice if their country permits Filipino interior designers reciprocal practice, they are legally qualified in their country, they possess a special temporary permit from the Board, work with a Filipino counterpart, and share fees, services, expenses, liabilities, and taxes accordingly.
They shall be automatically registered without the need for examination.
The seal must be affixed on all plans and specifications prepared or supervised by the interior designer, with the designer responsible for all documents issued under their seal; unauthorized use or copying is prohibited and punishable.