Section 17-3213. RULES OF CONDUCT/CODE OF ETHICS

 

3213.1Obligations of a licensed interior designer

 

(a)A licensed interior designer shall:

 

(1)Conform to existing laws, regulations, and codes governing procedures and the practice of interior design as established by the jurisdictions in which he or she conducts business;

 

(2)Maintain appropriate license in good standing in any jurisdiction in which he or she conducts business;

 

(3)Perform professional services with consideration to the health, life, safety, and welfare of the public;

 

(4)Serve his or her clients by only undertaking projects and responsibilities within his or her professional capacity and competence and within the definition according to the laws of his or her license;

 

(5)Clearly set forth the scope and nature of a project, services to be performed, and all methods of compensation for those services;

 

(6)Fully disclose to the end user all compensation in connection with a project and refuse to accept any form of undisclosed compensation from any person, firm, or vendor connected to the project; and

 

(7)Disclose to the regulating jurisdiction any knowledge he or she might have regarding unlicensed activity or other violations of the jurisdiction's statutes by other persons.

 

(b)A licensed interior designer shall not:

 

(1)Seal or sign drawings, specifications or other interior design documentation except where the licensed interior designer has prepared, supervised or professionally reviewed and approved such documents, as allowed by relevant jurisdictional law;

 

(2)Engage in any form of misleading or false advertising or promotional activities nor imply, through advertising or any other means, that staff members or employees of his or her firm are licensed unless such is fact;

 

(3)Engage in conduct involving fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or dishonesty in professional or business activity, by either affirmative act or failure to act;

 

(4)Attempt to obtain a contract to provide interior design services or assist others in such an attempt through any unlawful means;

 

(5)Offer or make payment or gifts to any public official or stake holder with the intent to influence or compromise their judgment;

 

(6)Assist or abet improper or illegal conduct of anyone in the performance of interior design services;

 

(7)Materially change the scope or nature of a project without the client's consent; or

 

(8)Conceal or fail to disclose any criminal record or suspension or revocation of license in any jurisdiction.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 5441 (May 9, 2008).