Uncovering the real-world consequences of unequal regulation on design safety and careers through data-driven investigations.
The Mission
Measuring Advancement with Facts.
The Green Tape Measure is a volunteer-run North Carolina nonprofit corporation on a mission to champion the next generation of interior designers. By providing objective data, research, and educational resources to the public, we are expanding career paths and protecting public safety — ensuring the profession is recognized, regulated, and respected.
Research.
Educate.
Advance.
Founding
Grounded in Teaching.
The Green Tape Measure was initially conceptualized as a platform expanding professional educational services. However, in 2025, after 15+ years in the field, our founder spent over six months searching for a job in a major city and found far lower pay than she’d come to expect. Comparing today’s rules with those of the early 2000s, she saw that interior design regulation had changed dramatically. GTM began as a question, not a conclusion: does regulation affect designers’ careers and public safety? Our research, including our work on fires, is how we’re finding out.
Watch the video to learn more about our founder's experiences.
Knowledge Check
Design Roles IQ
Test your industry knowledge. Tap the job title then tap its corresponding definition.
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1
Drag job titles from the right panel.
2
Drop them into the matching definition boxes.
3
Green = correct, Red = try again!
A licensed architect who practices interior design.
Designs interiors that are safe and functional.
Designs buildings. Requires a license.
Furnishes a space with fashionable or attractive items.
See our sources
BLS. Outlook Handbook: Architects. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Available at: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/architects.htm (Accessed 27 September 2025).
BLS. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Interior Designers. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Available at: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm (Accessed 27 September 2025).
CCIDC. Why is it Illegal to Use the Title "Interior Architect". CCIDC (2025). Available at: https://ccidc.org/using-the-title-interior-architect-is-illegal (Accessed 27 September 2025).
CIDQ. What Is Interior Design?. Council for Interior Design Qualification (2026). Available at: https://www.cidq.org/about-cidq/what-is-interior-design/ (Accessed 26 May 2026).
NCARB. Why Architecture. NCARB (2025). Available at: https://www.ncarb.org/become-architect/why-architecture (Accessed 27 September 2025).
Archive Logs
Industry Regulation: Evolution & Impact
Regulation is often a reactive response to historical events, frequently shaped by industry politics and territorial disputes.
Scroll or swipe to see the next or previous event.
Industry Insights
Data. Analysis. Results.
Research is GTM's foundation. We analyze controversial industry questions and heated topics objectively, providing all data and sources so you can draw your own conclusions.
On smaller screens, scroll or swipe across to see the cards.
November 2026
Interiors (De)regulated
An analysis of interior design legislative history in the United States.
July 2025
Fire, Design, and Liability
Yes, interior design can kill. Here is an analysis of 42 examples and counting.
September 2025
Arch vs Interiors
Different education. Different exams. Different Professions.
HSW in Action
Our Legislative Voice.
We advocate for inclusive and data-supported regulation that elevates the profession and protects the public.
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June 2026
What Our Current Data Supports
Inclusive Pathways
Create diverse licensing tracks, including non-degree options and exams tailored to specific practice areas like residential or commercial design.
Professional Parity
Establish independent or equal-representation boards and implement mandatory, non-voluntary licensing for all interior design practitioners without exemptions for other licensed professions.
Title Clarity
Secure exclusive use of "Interior Designer" while restricting "Interior Architect" to those with the degree and mandating "Licensed Architect" or "Registered Architect" for architectural professionals.
Expanded Authority
Grant designers full permitting privileges without restrictions, including on square footage, occupancy, construction scope, and hiring and coordination of professions.
Our comments focused on:
Educator credentials
Career prep
Organizational influence
Objective regulatory teaching
Voluntary Title Act
Unequal Board & Exemptions
Public is Not Protected
Vague Scope Language
Practice Restrictions
Unrealistic Path for Existing ID's
Voluntary Title (and Practice?) Act
Unequal Board & Exemptions
No Clear Path for CIDs
Misleading Statistics
Public is Not Protected
Vague & Restrictive Scope
Voluntary Title Act
Unequal Board
Practice Restrictions
Public is not protected
Vague scope language
Voluntary Title Act
Eliminates Voluntary Licensing
Public is not protected
Voluntary Title Act
Unequal Board & Titles
Vague scope language
Public is not protected
Voluntary Title Act
Unequal Board & Titles
Practice Restrictions
Vague scope language
Public is not protected
Group 1
Authority gaps on contracts & project management
Group 2
Definitions narrower than actual practice
Group 3
"No scope distinction" and "plan"/"collaborate" language subordinates designers
Help Us Grow
Shape the Future of Interior Design.
Advocacy doesn't happen without a community. Donate or sign up to volunteer as we transition into a full-scale non-profit powerhouse.
Donor Benefits
Donor Spotlight ($1,000+)
Be featured on our website and social media.
Impact Reporting
Quarterly updates on your donation's impact.
Future Tax Benefits
After we transition to a non-profit, your future donations will be tax-deductible.
Current Campaign
Help Launch The Green Tape Measure
Let's become a 501(c)(3) non-profit!
*Contributions are not currently tax-deductible while we finalize our 501(c)(3) transition. Interested in sponsoring us now? Reach out to see how you can get involved. Thank you for championing our mission!
Volunteer Benefits
Leadership
Help build the organization.
Growth
Develop skills in your passion area.
Community
Celebrate milestones at volunteer meetups.