NCIDQ Exam FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
about the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Exam

When is the NCIDQ exam given?
How do I apply to take the exam?
What are the exam eligibility requirements?
What subjects does the exam test?
What is the exam format?
What can I use to prepare effectively for the NCIDQ exam?

When is the NCIDQ exam given?

Spring 2012

Application deadline: December 1, 2011
Regular registration opens: December 20, 2011
Regular registration closes: January 11, 2012
Late registration closes: February 7, 2012

Spring 2012 exam: March 30-31, 2012

Fall 2012

Application deadline: June 1, 2012
Regular registration opens: June 19, 2012
Regular registration closes: June 24, 2012
Late registration closes: August 7, 2012

Fall 2012 exam: September 28-29, 2012

Spring 2013

Application deadline: December 1, 2012

Spring 2013 exam: April 5-6, 2013

Fall 2013

Application deadline: June 1, 2013

Fall 2013 exam: October 4-5, 2013

How do I apply to take the NCIDQ exam?

You may register at the NCIDQ web site.

What are the exam eligibility requirements?

The exam eligibility requirements include interior design education and actual full-time interior design experience. They are as follows:

CIDA Degree (Route 1)
- Bachelor's or master's degree from a CIDA-accredited interior design program¹
- 3,520 hours qualified interior design experience²
  - Up to 1,760 hours of qualified work experience can be earned before education is completed³
  - Final 1,760 hours must be earned after all education is completed
Interior Design Degree—Non-CIDA (Route 2)
- Bachelor's degree (minimum) in an interior design program not accredited by CIDA¹
  - Including no less than 120 semester or 180 quarter credits, of which no less than 60 semester or 90 quarter credits are interior design coursework
- 3,520 hours qualified interior design experience²
  - Up to 1,760 hours of qualified work experience can be earned before education is completed³
  - Final 1,760 hours must be earned after all education is completed
Other Degree + Interior Design Degree (Route 3)
- Bachelor's degree (minimum) in any other major⁴
  AND
- No less than 60 semester or 90 quarter credits of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate, degree, or diploma
- 3,520 hours qualified interior design experience²
  - Up to 1,760 hours of qualified work experience can be earned before education is completed³
  - Final 1,760 hours must be earned after all education is completed
Associate's Degree (60 Hours) in Interior Design (Route 4)
- No less than 60 semester or 90 quarter credits of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate, degree, or diploma
- 5,280 hours qualified interior design experience²
  - Education must be complete before work experience can be earned
Associate's Degree (40 Hours) in Interior Design (Route 5)
- No less than 40 semester or 60 quarter credits of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate, degree, or diploma
- 7,040 hours qualified interior design experience²
  - Education must be complete before work experience can be earned
NAAB or CACB Degree
- Bachelor's or master's degree from an NAAB- or CACB-accredited architecture program⁵
- 5,280 hours qualified interior design experience²
  - Education must be complete before work experience can be earned

¹CIDA—the Council for Interior Design Accreditation—was formerly known as FIDER. To qualify, the degree program must have been CIDA-accredited at graduation, or must have become CIDA-accredited within two years following graduation.

²If you began accruing interior design work experience after January 1, 2008, you must earn qualified work experience in order to be eligible to take the NCIDQ Examination. Earn your qualified work experience under an NCIDQ Certificate holder, licensed/registered interior designer, or architect who offers interior design services and your hours are counted at 100%. Other work environments and supervisory relationships accrue at lower rates.

³If you receive academic credit for work experience, you cannot count that work toward NCIDQ's work experience requirement.

⁴Any major other than interior design is included in this route: English, nursing, psychology, etc.

⁵NAAB—the National Architectural Accrediting Board CACB—the Canadian Architectural Certification Board To qualify, the degree program must have been accredited at graduation or within two years of graduation.

For more information on exam eligibility requirements, please visit the NCIDQ web site.

Before you complete the NCIDQ application, contact the appropriate U.S. state board or Canadian provincial association to verify their requirements for licensure.

What subjects does the exam test?

The NCIDQ exam covers seven content areas that characterize the work of interior design:

Building Systems
Codes
Construction Standards
Contract Administration
Design Application
Professional Practice
Project Coordination

What is the NCIDQ exam format?

The NCIDQ Examination consists of two multiple-choice sections and a drawing practicum entirely focused on health, safety, and welfare. While interior designers must possess knowledge in many areas, such as accounting, human resources and aesthetics, the NCIDQ Examination tests knowledge in only those areas that relate to health, safety, and welfare. The content of the examination is based on a blueprint developed after an assessment of the profession, conducted approximately every five years, called a practice analysis. NCIDQ conducted a practice analysis in 2008 by surveying practicing professionals to identify and ensure that the exam reflects changes in interior design practice.

Section I (125 scored and 25 unscored experimental multiple-choice questions)
- Codes, Building Systems, Construction Standards, and Contract Administration
  Time limit: 3 ½ hours
Section II (125 scored and 25 unscored experimental multiple-choice questions)
- Design Application, Project Coordination, and Professional Practice
  Time limit: 3 ½ hours
Practicum
- Space Planning, Lighting Design, Egress, Life Safety, Restroom [Washroom] Design, Systems Integration, and Millwork Design

The practicum part of the exam requires candidates to produce several design solutions. Candidates are given a series of unique exercises. The exercises require candidates to interpret a program into schematics, produce plan drawings, and develop appropriate specifications and schedules. Work products must address codes and the principles of universal design.

The time limit for Part A of the Practicum is 4 hours, while the time limit for Part B and C is 2 hours for each.

What can I use to prepare effectively for the NCIDQ exam?

The Interior Design Reference Manual: A Guide to the NCIDQ Exam has recently been revised to provide the most comprehensive preparation you can get for this exam. For information about this book, check our Online Catalog.