On January 1, 2015 Laurie McRae, began serving as the President of the Board of Directors for the organization that oversees the development and administration of the NCIDQ Examination, which is the single authoritative assessment tool that measures an appropriately trained and experienced professional’s ability to practice interior design in a way that protects health, safety and public welfare.  Successfully passing the rigorous three-part NCIDQ Examination establishes the basis for licensure in regulated jurisdictions throughout North America. 

As a regulated profession, many consumers may not recognize the amount of formal education, intensive supervised work experience, and specific knowledge and skills that qualified Interior Designers must demonstrate in order to earn the prestigious NCIDQ Certification.  “As President of our Board, Laurie leads the Council for Interior Design Qualification’s (CIDQ) activities in not only identifying and setting the standards of competence for the field of Interior Design, but in perpetually looking toward the future to ensure that the NCIDQ Examination is always evolving to reflect current practice realities, enabling us to deliver on our mission and protect the public,” explains Dr. Carol Williams-Nickelson, CIDQ and the NCIDQ Examination’s Executive Director. Laurie was chosen by her colleagues to serve on the Board because she is an accomplished and well-respected practitioner, visionary, role model and leader in the profession.” 

McRae is an Interior Designer and President at Laurie McRae Interiors in Augusta, Georgia where she focuses on full spectrum interior design. McRae has numerous achievements including Vice President of GAIDP (Georgia Alliance of Interior Design Professionals) and serving as a member of the Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers for seven years.  She is a member of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and is committed to upholding the integrity of the NCIDQ Examination, while expanding its influence, recognition and use. 

“I am looking forward to futureproofing the association and the professional practice of interior design over the next year” says McRae.  “Interior Designers have a central role in designing spaces that are not just aesthetically pleasing, but that are also functional, safe and contribute to health, well-being and improved quality of life.”