What’s changing on the NCIDQ exam in 2026? A breakdown of the new NCIDQ exam

The NCIDQ exam is shifting in a meaningful way starting in April 2026, and anyone planning to test in the next few cycles will want to understand what’s ahead. CIDQ is retiring the PRAC exam, launching the new IDIX, and updating blueprints that guide how all three exams are structured. 

This overview lays out the key NCIDQ exam changes so you know exactly what’s different and how to plan your path to certification. 

How the NCIDQ exam works today

Before looking at the upcoming NCIDQ exam updates, it helps to get grounded in how the exam currently functions. The structure hasn’t changed yet, and anyone testing before April 2026 will still follow this format:

The three-exam structure

Right now, the NCIDQ certification is built around three separate exams. Each one focuses on a different phase of interior design practice:

• IDFX (Fundamentals)
• IDPX (Professional)
• PRAC (Practicum) – this is the hands-on, case-study style exam that will be replaced in April 2026

These exams are offered twice a year, typically in April and October, which gives candidates two windows to plan around. All three are delivered as computer-based tests, so the experience is consistent across each section.

NCIDQ exam passing requirements

To earn the NCIDQ certification, you must pass all three exams. There’s no rule saying you need to take them all at once–some people sit for everything in the same testing window, while others spread them out over a year or so. Either approach works, and CIDQ carries over any passed exams so long as you complete all sections within their eligibility period. 

The new NCIDQ exam changes coming in April 2026

The NCIDQ changes taking effect in April 2026 reshape how future interior designers will move through the certification process. The updates don’t reinvent the exam entirely, but they do shift the format in ways that matter for anyone planning their timeline.

PRAC is being replaced by the new IDIX exam

The biggest change is the retirement of the PRAC exam. PRAC has always been the case-study portion of the process–long scenarios, lots of reading, and a different testing style than the other two exams. That format is going away.

In its place, CIDQ is introducing IDIX (Implementation), which becomes the new third exam in the lineup. IDIX uses only multiple-choice and Alternative Item Types (AITs), the same question styles already used in IDFX and IDPX. With that shift, the new NCIDQ exam will have all three sections operating under one unified structure. 

Updated exam blueprints for all three exams

Alongside the format change, CIDQ has reorganized the exam blueprints. Some sections have new names, others have been rearranged, and a handful of new topics were added to better match today’s design standards. The core content is still familiar, but the layout and emphasis have been refreshed. 

CIDQ has posted the updated blueprints on its site, and they’re worth visiting early if you plan to test around the transition.

A more consistent testing experience

The bigger idea of these NCIDQ exam updates is to make the entire certification process feel smoother. Instead of bouncing between very different testing formats, the updated structure is meant to reduce friction and make preparation less guesswork-heavy.

Here’s what that means in practice:

• You’ll study with a clearer understanding of how each exam will be delivered.
• The skills tested across IDFX, IDPX, and IDIX will align more naturally.
• The transition from one exam to the next won’t feel like you’re jumping into a completely different type of assessment.

These adjustments don’t overhaul the NCIDQ, but they do make the journey from your first exam to your last feel more unified and less disjointed. 

Why CIDQ is updating the NCIDQ exam

The 2026 NCIDQ exam updates grew out of a larger review of how the interior design profession has changed. CIDQ isn’t updating the exam just to update it–the goal is to keep the certification aligned with the realities of modern interior design practice. 

A few things are behind the shift:

• Interior design practice has expanded, and the exam now better reflects the responsibilities interior designers handle today
• The revised blueprints align the NCIDQ with current professional competencies and expectations
• The refreshed structure helps create a clearer and more balanced testing experience across all three exams

How to prepare for the new NCIDQ exam format

Getting ready for the new NCIDQ exam is much easier when you have the right study materials that help you stay organized and focused. PPI offers a range of resources–including practice questions and mock exams, flashcards, and quick-review tools–that can support you through every stage of your exam prep. You can explore these tools on PPI’s NCIDQ page.

For more than 50 years, PPI has helped candidates prepare for some of the most challenging professional exams. When you’re ready to start preparing for the NCIDQ exam, PPI gives you the structure and tools that help you move from studying to actually feeling prepared–so you can focus on performing your best on exam day.