Law Summary
Statement of Policy
- Interior design profession is vital for nation-building.
- Promotes development and global competitiveness of Filipino interior designers.
- Establishes credible licensure exams and regulatory human resource programs.
Objectives
- Regulate licensure, registration, and examination.
- Supervise and control interior design practice.
- Advance professional competence through continuing education.
- Integrate interior design profession.
Key Definitions
- Interior Design: The science and art of organizing interior elements to meet functionality and aesthetics of spaces.
- Professional Interior Designer: A natural person holding a valid certificate and professional ID from the Board and PRC.
- Commission: Refers to the Professional Regulation Commission.
Scope of Practice
- Includes planning, designing, specifying, supervising interior space arrangements.
- Encompasses: consultations, schematic design, contract documentation, construction supervision.
- Teaching interior design is included.
- Board may revise scope as needed to align with evolving practices.
Professional Regulatory Board of Interior Design
- Composed of Chairman and two members appointed by the President.
- Nominations come from an accredited national organization of interior designers.
- Board created within six months of the Act's effectivity.
Qualifications of Board Members
- Filipino citizens, residents, degree holders in Interior Design or equivalent.
- Registered interior designers with 10+ years practice.
- Not affiliated with a teaching or review institution.
- Members must be in good standing with accredited organization but not officers/trustees.
- No criminal convictions involving moral turpitude.
Terms, Compensation, and Powers of the Board
- Board members serve 3-year terms, max 6 years total.
- Compensation aligned with other regulatory boards under PRC.
- Powers include rule promulgation, registration/licensure supervision, ethics enforcement, exam preparation, education standard monitoring.
- Can hear administrative cases and issue subpoenas.
Removal and Administrative Supervision
- Board members may be removed for neglect, violations, manipulation of exams, or moral turpitude.
- PRC administers supervision, keeps Board records, and provides secretariat.
- Annual detailed reports submitted to President via PRC.
Licensure Examination
- Mandatory passing of exam for practice, except as provided.
- Applicant qualifications: Filipino citizenship or reciprocal foreign citizenship, good moral character, recognized interior design degree or its equivalent, no moral turpitude conviction.
- Exams cover Interior Design, Furniture Design, Materials, History, Construction, Color Theory, Professional Practice and Ethics.
- 70% weighted average required to pass.
- Results reported and communicated within 20 days.
- Successful passers take professional oath before practice.
Registration and Certification
- Certificate and Professional ID issued to passing examinees upon fee payment.
- ID card renewal requires evidence of continuing education and updated membership dues.
- Use of "IDr." as official prefix allowed.
- Registration denial possible for offenders of moral or ethical grounds.
Suspension and Revocation
- Grounds include violation of Act, negligence, fraud, non-membership, unpaid fees, aiding illegal practice, substance abuse, or failure in CPE.
- Administrative procedures govern cases, including hearings and investigations.
- Reissuance possible after 2 years upon proof of reform.
Annual Registration Fee Nonpayment
- Nonpayment for 5 consecutive years results in suspension.
- Resumption allowed upon payment of arrears and compliance with PRC rules.
Prior Registered Interior Designers
- Automatically registered and issued certificates under this Act.
Lawful Practice
- Natural persons registered by Board, holders of permits (foreign professionals).
- Juridical persons (sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations) owned and operated by licensed interior designers.
Use of Seal
- Licensed interior designers must sign and affix Board-approved seal on all professional documents.
- Government agencies must accept only sealed documents from licensed interior designers.
Proprietary Rights
- Designers own rights over drawings, specifications, and original concepts signed and sealed by them.
- Alteration or reproduction without consent prohibited except for commissioned paid work.
Foreign Reciprocity and Temporary Permits
- Foreign interior designers must come from countries allowing Filipino designers reciprocal practice.
- Temporary permits granted under conditions to qualified foreign designers collaborating with Filipino counterparts.
- Shared fees and responsibilities between foreign and Filipino designers on joint projects.
- Penalties for non-compliance and illegal practice.
Document Numbering and Roster
- Registered designers required to indicate registration, professional tax receipt, and accredited organization membership numbers on all practice documents.
- Board maintains publicly accessible roster updated annually.
Integration of Interior Designers
- A single national organization accredited as the only Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO).
- Registered interior designers are automatically members upon fee payment.
- Dual membership with other associations permitted.
Penal Provisions
- Fines between Php 300,000 and Php 1,000,000 or imprisonment 6 months to 3 years, or both for unauthorized practice, impersonation, use of fraudulent credentials.
- Foreign violators face fines, back taxes, imprisonment, and permanent ban.
Civil Liability
- Interior designers accountable for projects within one year after client acceptance.
- Responsible for safety, protection, and repair of defects within 45 days of client notification.
- Failure to comply subject to administrative and disciplinary sanctions.
Enforcement and Appropriations
- PRC responsible for implementation, investigation, and prosecution of violations.
- Budget for implementation included in General Appropriations Act.
Transition and Implementing Rules
- Incumbent Board members continue until new Board organized.
- Board has 90 days from constitution to adopt implementing rules and regulations.
- IRR becomes effective after publication.
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Severability clause ensures invalidity of parts does not affect whole law.
- Repeals RA 8534 and inconsistent laws.
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or newspapers.