Chapter 02. Code of Ethics

In rendering professional services, a certified interior designer shall comply in all respects with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of interior design.

A certified interior designer may not engage in any form of false or misleading advertising or promotional activities, including, but not limited to, the falsification or misrepresentation of the work of a certified interior designer or of another person, academic or professional qualifications, degree of responsibility, experience, performance, or licensing status.

A certified interior designer shall be truthful and objective in all professional communications and public statements.

A certified interior designer may not seal, stamp, or sign, or permit to have a certified interior designer's name, signature, or stamp be affixed to, any plans, drawings, specifications, or other documents which were not prepared by a certified interior designer or under the certified interior designer's responsible supervising control and direction.

A certified interior designer may not by affirmative act or failure to act engage in improper, unprofessional, or dishonorable conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

A certified interior designer may not knowingly associate with, or permit the use of, a certified interior designer's personal or business name in a business venture by a person or a firm which a certified interior designer knows, or has reason to know, is engaged in business or professional practice of a fraudulent or dishonorable nature.

In rendering professional services, a certified interior designer may not counsel or assist anyone, including, but not limited to, a certified interior designer's client, in conduct a certified interior designer knows, or reasonably is expected to know, is illegal or improper.

A certified interior designer who has direct knowledge of a violation of a provision of the laws or regulations pertaining to the practice of interior design by another person or entity shall immediately inform the Board of Certified Interior Designers in writing.

A certified interior designer may not pay, or offer to pay, either directly or indirectly, any commission, political contribution, gift, or other consideration in order to secure work, exclusive of the customary fees payable to employment agencies.

A certified interior designer shall undertake to perform professional assignments only if the certified interior designer, together with the certified interior designer's consultants, is qualified, by training, education, and experience to perform required services.

A certified interior designer may not divulge any confidential information about the client or the client's project, unless the certified interior designer reasonably believes that nondisclosure of the information creates a significant risk to public health and safety, or violates the applicable laws or this Code of Ethics.

A certified interior designer shall fully disclose to the certified interior designer's client all compensation that the certified interior designer receives in connection with a project, and may not accept any form of compensation from a third party in cash or in kind unless the client is informed and does not object to the method or form of compensation.

A certified interior designer may not knowingly assume or accept any position in which the certified interior designer's personal interests conflict with professional responsibilities.

A certified interior designer may offer professional services to the client as a consultant, specifier, or supplier on the basis of a fee, percentage, or mark-up, except that a certified interior designer may not request, propose, or accept a commission on a fee basis under circumstances in which the certified interior designer's professional judgment may be compromised.

Before entering into a written or verbal contract with a client, a certified interior designer shall clearly determine and convey to the client the scope and nature of the project involved, the services to be performed, and the method of remuneration for the services.

A certified interior designer shall produce studies, drawings, specifications, and other related documents of sufficiently high standards to clearly and accurately indicate all essential parts of the work to which they refer.

Except for specifications and drawings over which a certified interior designer retains proprietary rights or which the certified interior designer is required by law, or in connection with an investigation by the Board of Certified Interior Designers, to furnish, a certified interior designer may not use specifications, photographs, or drawings of a project without the express permission of a client.

A certified interior designer shall pursue all professional endeavors with honesty, integrity, fairness, and professionalism.

A certified interior designer may not initiate, participate, or engage in an activity that may reasonably result in interference in the performance by another certified interior designer of a contractual or professional relationship with a client or an unjust injury to another certified interior designer's reputation or business relationship.

A certified interior designer shall only take credit for services performed by the certified interior designer directly, or by the certified interior designer's firm and under the certified interior designer's supervision or direction.

A certified interior designer may not:

A certified interior designer shall adhere to and maintain standards of professional and personal conduct that reflect in a responsible manner on the profession.

In addition to requirements set forth in the law and regulations governing certified interior designers, a certified interior designer shall seek to continually upgrade professional knowledge and competency with respect to the interior design profession.

A certified interior designer shall, whenever possible, encourage and contribute to the sharing of information and knowledge between certified interior designers and other allied professionals and the public.

A certificate holder may sign and seal plans, specifications, drawings, reports, or any other interior design documents that are required to be signed and sealed under Business Occupations and Professions Article, §8-403, Annotated Code of Maryland, only if the following requirements are met:

Definition. In §(A)(2)(b) of this regulation, “approved” means the certificate holder:

For the purpose of sealing and signing interior design documents under this regulation, a certificate holder shall obtain an individual seal which shall contain:

The diameter of the seal shall be 2 inches.

If an applicant or certificate holder receives from the Board a written communication requesting a response, the applicant or certificate holder shall respond in writing within 30 days of the date of the mailing.

The Board shall send a written communication by first-class mail to the last known address furnished to the Board by the applicant or certificate holder.

It is a responsibility of an applicant or certificate holder to notify the Board in writing if there has been a change in the applicant’s or certificate holder’s address.

Failure to respond as required by this regulation may be considered by the Board to be a violation of Business Occupations and Professions Article, §8-310(a)(1)(vi), Annotated Code of Maryland.