Changing Registration Status

Complete an inactive status request. While inactive you will be exempt from the continuing education requirement, but you will still have to pay the biennial renewal fee. Inactive registrants cannot practice or offer to practice their profession in Tennessee, nor can they use their title in Tennessee. If you choose to switch back to active status in the future, we will require a statement that you have not practiced or offered to practice your profession in Tennessee during the period you claimed inactive status and certification that you have met the continuing education requirement for each year exempt, not to exceed 24 hours.

Registered interior designers claiming inactive status are exempt from the continuing education requirement and cannot use the title "registered interior designer" in Tennessee.

To choose the retired status, you must be over age 62 and not practicing or offering to practice your profession in Tennessee. No fee is required of retired registrants. Simply send the Board a letter stating your date of birth and requesting retired status. While retired registrants cannot practice in Tennessee, they can still use their title, provided that the word "retired" is used in conjunction with the title. If you choose to return to active status in the future, we will require payment of the renewal fee, a statement that you have not practiced or offered to practice your profession in Tennessee during the period you claimed retired status, and certification that you have met the continuing education requirement for each year exempt, not to exceed 24 hours.

Send the Board a letter stating that you do not wish to renew your registration.  If your registration has not yet expired, you are also required to return your license and wallet card with your request. If you ever need to practice in Tennessee again, you will have to reapply for registration. Reapplication involves submitting a new application, new references, continuing education information, an affidavit affirming that you have not practiced or used your title in Tennessee since your license expired, and paying the reapplication fee plus the biennial registration fee. Examination is not required for reapplication. The entire reapplication process usually takes 4-6 weeks.

Send the Board a statement that you have not practiced or offered to practice your profession or used your title in Tennessee during the period you claimed inactive status and certify that you have met the continuing education requirement for each year exempt, not to exceed 24 hours. The renewal fee is the same for both active and inactive registrants.

To choose the retired status, you must be over age 62 and not practicing or offering to practice your profession in Tennessee. No fee is required of retired registrants. Simply send the Board a letter stating your date of birth and requesting retired status.  While retired registrants cannot practice in Tennessee, they can still use their title, provided that the word "retired" is used in conjunction with the title. 

Send the Board a letter stating that you do not wish to renew your registration or mark "not renewing" on your renewal of registration form. If you ever need to practice in Tennessee again, you will have to reapply for registration. Reapplication involves submitting a new application, new references, continuing education information, an affidavit affirming that you have not practiced or used your title in Tennessee since your license expired, and paying the reapplication fee plus the biennial registration fee. Examination is not required for reapplication. The entire reapplication process usually takes 4-6 weeks.

You must submit the renewal fee and a statement that you have not practiced or offered to practice your profession in Tennessee during the period you claimed retired status and certification that you have met the continuing education requirement for each year exempt, not to exceed 24 hours.

Send the Board a letter stating that you do not wish to renew your registration. If you ever need to practice in Tennessee again, you will have to reapply for registration. Reapplication involves submitting a new application, new references, continuing education information, an affidavit affirming that you have not practiced or used your title in Tennessee since your license expired, and paying the reapplication fee plus the biennial registration fee. Examination is not required for reapplication. The entire reapplication process usually takes 4-6 weeks.