Section 1255.50  Endorsement

a)         An applicant who is licensed/registered under the laws of another state or territory of the United States or of a foreign country and who wishes to register as an interior designer or residential interior designer shall file an application with the Department, on forms provided by the Department, which includes:

1)         Certification of an interior design or residential interior design degree from a program approved by the Department in accordance with Section 1255.30 of this Part;

2)         Certification of professional experience as set forth in Section 1255.40 of this Part;

3)         Certification from the state or territory of the United States or the foreign country in which the applicant was originally licensed/registered and any location in which the applicant predominantly practices and is currently licensed/registered, stating:

A)        The time during which the applicant was licensed/registered;

B)        Whether the file of the applicant contains any record of disciplinary actions taken or pending; and

C)        Examination(s) taken and examination score(s) received;

4)         A complete work history; and

5)         The required fee as set forth in Section 1255.65.

b)         In lieu of subsection (a)(1) and (2), the Department shall accept certification from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification and Council for Residential Interior Designers.

c)         The Department may require additional information to determine:

1)         if the requirements in the state, territory of the United States or foreign country at the time the applicant was licensed/registered were substantially equivalent to the requirements then in effect in Illinois; or

2)         if the requirements of another state, territory of the United States or foreign country together with education and professional experience qualifications of the applicant are substantially equivalent to the requirements in Illinois at the time of application.

d)         The Department, upon recommendation of the Board, shall determine substantial equivalency based on, but not limited to, certification from the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications or Council for Residential Interior Designers; education, training, and `experience, including, but not limited to, whether the applicant has had special honors or awards, has had articles published in professional journals, or has written textbooks relating to interior design; and any other attribute which the Director of the Department accepts as evidence that the applicant has outstanding and proven ability in interior design.

e)         The Department shall either issue registration by endorsement or notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for denying the application.

(Source:  Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 1928, effective January 19, 2000)