ICC and American Society of Interior Designers announce partnership

The International Code Council, a world leader in model building codes and standards, and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the oldest and largest multi-disciplinary professional organization for interior designers, are joining forces to support designers through a series of initiatives and programs that will promote building safety.

“The Code Council is proud to partner with ASID to reach our common goal of promoting building safety and creating safe, affordable and sustainable communities,” said Dominic Sims, CBO, chief executive officer of the International Code Council. “Interior design is a vital part of building safety and through this collaboration we have the opportunity to arm ASID members with even more knowledge, allowing them to design to the safest and most efficient codes and standards.”

As its first initiative, ASID and the Code Council will collaborate on a new certification credential for which designers may apply: the Interior Design Code Specialist (IDCS), which will promote building safety through the profession of interior design. The Code Council will take the lead in the development of the exam, while ASID will identify the subject matter experts who will provide input. Additionally, ASID members will be eligible for special Code Council membership packages that support the new credential, while non-ASID members may have the opportunity to apply for the exam and join ASID at an exclusive rate.

“Interior designers play a critical part in building and occupant safety. This new partnership with the Code Council affirms this role, builds upon the existing NCIDQ certification, and further strengthens the importance of the interior design practice,” stated Gary Wheeler, FASID, chief executive officer of the American Society of Interior Designers. “With the Code Council on board as an ASID industry partner, our members will benefit from the organization’s rich knowledge, timely insights and educational resources to make safer spaces for all.”

Both parties will collaborate on a joint survey to the interior design membership. The results of the survey will be used to aid the development of a certification exam. The IDCS will be offered exclusively through the Code Council’s online proctored exam platform, PRONTO.

As society continues to place greater emphasis on the sustainability and resiliency of buildings, it is important that all aspects of the building community are up to date on the latest codes to improve efficiency and safety. As key decision-makers in the building process, the partnership between the Code Council and ASID will enhance building safety education for interior designers and raise awareness of codes and standards within the design community.