What sets Interior Designers apart?
Education
Eligibility requirements to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) examination states applicants must have at least 6 years of combined education and experience in Interior Design, of which a minimum 4 year baccalaureate constitutes postsecondary education in Interior Design. The Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research (FIDER) is an organization that accredits college and university Interior Design program’s of study assessing the teaching of professional values, design fundamentals, interior design practice, communications, building systems and interior materials, regulation and codes, business and marketing and professional practice. Interior Design programs that are FIDER accredited provide the optimal educational experience for students.
Experience
Although NCIDQ does not require attending a college or university that is FIDER accredited it requires the Interior Design Experience Program (IDEP) to directly assess inadequacies in non-accredited schools. Graduates of four-year Interior Design programs apply for IDEP in which the Interior Design graduate must acquire 3,520 learning hours under the supervision of an NCIDQ Certified Mentor or Architect attaining at least two years of documented full-time practice experience. When IDEP requirements are fulfilled Interior Design Graduates may apply to sit for the NCIDQ examination.
Examination
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) is the nationally recognized interior design testing agency. It is the only national Interior Design exam developed and administered in the United States by an agency that is independent from other Interior Design organizations. The NCIDQ is also the only examination that tests minimum competency in the full world of Interior Design practice specifically testing competency for federally regulated codes, ethical design practice, contract administration, construction documents, programming, budget planning, specifications and take-off calculations, and functional space planning.
Application
Upon completing and passing the NCIDQ exam an Interior Designer is a Certificate holder and may register with the state in order to become licensed to practice Interior Design. Registration would be upheld by the state regulating board on a bi-annual basis requiring a total of 1.0 Continuing Education Units or CEU’s (equivalent to 10 hours) of additional education on an bi-annual basis.
Licensed Interior Designers are professionals’ set apart by education, examination, experience and application protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public through the design of code compliant, functional and aesthetically pleasing interior environments.
To find out more information about taking the exam please visit www.ncidq.org.
