Facts of the Case

Alabama had an interior design practice act that required any person that called themselves an interior designer to be certified by the state. The law, enacted in 2001, was challenged by someone who was doing interior decorating and had no certification and no degree. The Supreme Court of Alabama invalidated the law for two reasons. The first is that there are other laws both federal and state that insure only safe materials are available for use by consumers and the second reason is that there is no requirement in the state of Alabama that a homeowner or a business retain any interior decorator or designer to decorate their own space. The Supreme Court reasoned that there was no threat to the public if an uncertified designer decorated a space.