On January 1, 2015 Laurie McRae, Augusta, Georgia, NCIDQ, ASID, IIDA, AKBD, RID #489, began serving as the President of the Board of Directors for the Washington, DC, based organization that oversees the development and administration of the NCIDQ Examination. The exam is the single authoritative assessment tool used to measure 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.

The organization chose Atlanta, Georgia as the site for the annual two-day meeting for ease of access from locations throughout North America. Keynote speaker Steve Mouzon, new urbanist, architect, urban planner and novelist of Miami, Florida, presented on sustainability of our environment and of the profession of Interior Design. Highlights of the meeting included round table discussions on issues facing the profession as well as a tour of the Historic Fox Theatre. Since students are the future exam candidates, CIDQ recognized Avonlea Pye as the winner of the student competition video. Avonlea attends Georgia Southern University.

As a regulated profession, many consumers may not recognize the amount of formal education, intensive supervised work experience, and specific knowledge and skills qualified Interior Designers must demonstrate in order to earn the prestigious NCIDQ Certification.  “As President of our Board, McRae leads the Council for Interior Design Qualification’s 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 the NCIDQ Examination is always evolving to reflect current practice realities, enabling us to deliver on our mission and to protect the public,” explains Dr. Carol Williams-Nickelson, CIDQ and the NCIDQ Examination’s Executive Director. McRae 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 and served 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 and the International Interior Design Association and is committed to upholding the integrity of the NCIDQ Examination, while expanding its influence, recognition and use.

“The annual meeting is the culmination of the work we do all year for our certificate holders and regulatory boards ” says McRae.  “Interior Designers have a central role in designing spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional, safe and contribute to health, well-being and improved quality of life.” McRae will begin term as Past President in January 2016 serving her sixth year on the CIDQ board.