Aspiring interior designers are wise to earn formal certification, which conveys credibility, knowledge, and skills to clients. But how long does the certification process take? Here’s an overview of the education, experience, and exam requirements to earn certified interior designer status.
Typically, the path spans 5-7 years from starting an interior design degree to completing the full certification process. Here’s a breakdown:
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) accredited Bachelor’s degree in interior design takes 4 years. Programs teach critical technical and creative skills through a mix of studio work, lectures, and internships. Either a BFA or BS Interior Design degree meet education requirements.
Gain Work Experience
Most certifications like the industry gold standard National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) require professional work experience before testing eligibility. Typical minimums are 2 years full-time under a certified designer. Some states stipulate additional experience timelines for certification.
Pass Section Exams
The interior designer exam process is divided into sections that can be taken at different times. However, there are recommended sequences for tackling them. For NCIDQ, the order is: Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX), Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX), then the Practicum.
Submit a Design Portfolio
A comprehensive portfolio highlighting 6-8 projects you worked on under supervision of a certified designer must be submitted before scheduling the Practicum exam. This proves you have experience across a range of interior design skills.
Complete Practicum
The Practicum is an intensive 2-day, in-person exam testing your ability to practice interior design. It includes both written prompts and graphic vignettes assessing your integration of codes, standards, regulations, theories, and processes.
After completing degree, experience, and exams, individuals earn credentials like Certified Interior Designer (CID) or Registered Interior Designer (RID). Total time ranges from 5-7 years. Accelerated degree options, concurrent internship experience, and focusing full-time on certification can condense the timeline. Patience is key, as is gaining comprehensive skills before testing.
Some states allow exemption from certain exam sections upon sufficient and verified work experience. For example, an interior designer in Marco Island may offer mentoring to build local exam eligibility.
Gaining formal certified interior designer status takes dedication over several years. But it instills expertise and elevates your reputation with clients, employers, and the community. The investment in education and experience pays dividends over your design career.
