The Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) administers the NCIDQ examination and issues NCIDQ Certification. Requirements are set by CIDQ and change over time, so read the current rules at cidq.org before planning.
Three separate things
- Education: the degree or program you complete.
- Experience: supervised professional work in interior design.
- Examination and certification: passing the NCIDQ Exam and meeting CIDQ’s requirements to be certified.
How education interacts with experience
CIDQ allows more than one combination of education and experience. Completing a CIDA-accredited program is one recognized education route, but it is not the only one, and the amount of work experience required depends on the education pathway. Do not assume that a particular certificate or degree automatically satisfies a requirement; confirm it with CIDQ.
What a degree or certificate does not do
A degree alone does not grant NCIDQ Certification. A school certificate is not professional certification. Exam preparation courses, including those offered by professional associations such as ASID, prepare candidates for the exam but are not qualifications.
Certification versus state registration
NCIDQ Certification and state registration or licensure are different. See State registration and professional requirements.
Official sources
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation: accredited programs · accessed 3 November 2026
- ASID: American Society of Interior Designers · accessed 3 November 2026