• 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?

The NCIDQ exam dates are in:

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:

• Route 1
• Bachelor?s degree from a CIDA-accredited interior design program
• 3,520 hours supervised interior design experience under the direct supervision of an NCIDQ Certificate holder, a licensed/registered interior designer, or an architect who offers interior design services.
• Route 2
• Bachelor?s degree in an interior design program not accredited by CIDA
• 3,520 hours supervised interior design experience under the direct supervision of an NCIDQ Certificate holder, a licensed/registered interior designer, or an architect who offers interior design services.
• Route 3
• Bachelor?s degree in any other major
• No less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a degree (associate?s, bachelor?s or master?s)
• 3,520 hours supervised interior design experience under the direct supervision of an NCIDQ Certificate holder, a licensed/registered interior designer, or an architect who offers interior design services.
• Route 4
• No less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a degree or diploma
• 5,280 hours supervised interior design experience under the direct supervision of an NCIDQ Certificate holder, a licensed/registered interior designer, or an architect who offers interior design services.
• Route 5
• No less than 40 semester or 60 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate, degree or diploma
• 7,040 hours supervised interior design experience under the direct supervision of an NCIDQ Certificate holder, a licensed/registered interior designer, or an architect who offers interior design services.

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

Here are lists of state and provincial boards and agencies regulating interior designers in the United States and Canada. Contact the appropriate board before you complete the NCIDQ application to verify the state or provincial requirements for licensure.

What subjects does the exam test?

The NCIDQ exam covers six general performance areas.

• Programming
• Schematics
• Design Developmeng
• Contract Documents
• Contract Administration
• Professional Practice

What is the NCIDQ exam format?

The NCIDQ exam consists of two comprehensive multiple-choice sections and a practicum section which cover six general performance areas characterizing the work of interior design. The two multiple-choice sections are typically given on a Friday (Section I in the morning and Section II in the afternoon.) The practicum is typically given on Saturday and requires candidates to produce a design solution. Each section is independent and may be taken in separate exam administrations, if you prefer.

• Section I (125 socred and 25 unscored experimental multiple-choice questions)
• Programming (33% - 41 questions)
• Schematics (32% - 40 questions)
• Design Development (35% - 44 questions)



Time limit: 3 hours and 30 minutes

• Section II (100 socred and 25 unscored experimental multiple-choice questions)
• Contract Documents (35% - 35 questions)
• Contract Administration (32% - 32 questions)
• Professional Practice (33% - 33 questions)



Time limit: 3 hours

• Practicum

This is the practicum part of the exam, requiring you to produce a design solution. You will receive a program based on a mixed-use facility. In your solution, you must address the principles of universal design.

• Programming (25%)
• Schematic Design (24%)
• Design Development (26%)



The time limit for Part 1 of the Practicum is 4 hours, and the time limit for Part 2 of the Practicum is 3 hours.

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 rigorous test. For information about this book, check our Online Catalog.