Two members of the Anne Arundel Community College faculty were among the first to be certified in Maryland recently as interior designers under a new state program.

Richard Luxenberg, assistant professor and head of the architectural technology department, and Michael Ryan, assistant professor of architecture, received certification as qualified practicing professionals by the state licensing and regulation department.

New qualifications for certified designers call for a degree in interior design from a four-year institution accredited with the state. Applicants must also have served as interior design interns and pass a state certification test.

Arundel Community College offers a two-year associate degree in architectural technology transferable to a four-year college or university.