There's basically three designations that are recognized: architects, interior designers, and interior decorators. To be a licensed architect you need either a Master's degree, or a 5-year bachelors of architecture degree, plus X number of years of work experience, plus passing the licensing exam. In all, this can take anywhere from 5 to 7 years after graduation to become licensed depending on whether you have a masters or a bachelors. Most architects do both building envelope and interior configuration. But they may not always specify interior finishes.

An interior designer generally has a bachelors, plus 40 to 60+ additional credit hours in an accredited program. To be certified you also have to take an exam, but it's not nearly as rigorous. A CID can work on interior reconfiguration, spec finishes, and stamp their own drawings IF there are no structural changes. If there are, either a structural engineer or an architect provides supplemental drawings for permitting.

Interior decorators fill the spaces; they don't create/configure the spaces. No education is required for this and if they are involved in remodeling, they generally outsource construction docs.

So, when I was in design school, I too was told there's no such thing as "Interior Architecture". You're either an architect who does interiors or you're a designer. As far as I know, there is no government recognition of "interior architect" or a separate license/certification. To confuse you further, many people who have gone to architecture school never take the exam to be licensed. In those cases, they are "architectural designers" and often work at architecture firms where someone who is licensed can sign off on their work.

There are indeed real differences. Someone passing themselves off as an architect without the training or experience is overselling their capabilities. But not all projects require an architect. A kitchen or bath remodel, for example, can be comfortably handled by any reputable, certified designer.

Interior architecture and design is a multifaceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied to achieve a built-in interior environment within a structure. The growing demand for new home construction and home renovations has inspired manufacturers of fixtures to produce more innovative and provocative architectural lighting products.

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I am currently practicing with Boise Idaho as our Western headquarters. There is no licensing of interior designers here and decorators abound! It is frustrating to speak to other professionals and give them my card (ASID , NCIDQ) and they instantly believe that I am a home stager (realtors) or a decorator (the masses). I do not want to seem haughty or explain the difference between education levels all day - but it is almost necessary. Many people have told me just to use the term "interior architect" because it is closer to what I do. I always explain that it is not a legal title and I would never call myself something that is not a true representation of my training and / or experience. So the dilemma continues.

When starting in this industry I felt my role was that of an educator for the people that I served. It looks like I am in that role again (going back to the late 80's once again). I have decided to accept it and give a short explanation of what I do vs. the decorators that I am surrounded with.

I can only hope that the discussion is worthwhile and that clients will respect my honesty and integrity about my beloved industry!

Back more years than I want to admit, I received my BS degree in Environmental Design, At the time it was explained to me that whereas an Interior Designer would wallpaper a wall, an Environmental Designer would tear down the wall.