How to Become a Certified Interior Designer

Interior design is a growing industry and the mean income for an interior designer is around $60,000. If you have an interest in home decor, you may have wondered how to become a certified interior designer. If you think you want to work in this industry, you will need to follow a few steps.

Read on to learn how to become a certified interior designer. We will go over why you should get certified and how it will help your career. We will also give you all the steps you need to get your certification.

Why Get Certified in Interior Design?

With a design, certification comes the ability to show clients that you have the skills for their projects. It shows that you have mastered certain skills and have a vast knowledge of design.

It will give you an edge over competing designers. Studies show that 80% of consumers would choose a certified professional over one who is not.

Education

The first step to becoming a certified interior designer is formal education. To take the certification exams, you must have taken courses in a design program. You need to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in interior design to take the NCIDQ exam.

When choosing a program, there are many factors to consider. You may want to consider the program rankings or schedule flexibility. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) reviews programs with quality standards.

You may need to get your education from a CIDA accredited school to sit for certification exams. It depends on the state you live in and what is necessary. Meet with a member of the faculty to ask questions and get a feel for the program.

Experience

On top of your education, you will also need field experience. If you are planning to get a bachelor’s degree, you can finish half the needed field hours before graduation. If not, you can only count the hours completed after finishing your education.

Gain experience by working with established designers like Mal Corboy Interior Design. Working with experienced designers, you will see what it takes to be a great designer.

How to Become a Certified Interior Designer – Exams

If you have met all the education and work experience requirements, you can apply to take your state’s certification exam. Take note of the specific instructions, requirements, and deadlines. Submit your application with all the needed forms.

After your application gets reviewed and confirmed, you will be told when you can register and schedule your exam. You must pass each part of the exam to earn your certification.

You can find study resources with both NCIDQ and CCIDC. These guides will give you a leg up when it comes to taking your certification exam.

Take Your Design Skills to the Next Level

Earning your interior design certification can help you stand out among other designers. It lets your clients know that you have the knowledge and skills to complete their design projects. It gives people confidence that you will get the job done well and done right.

Now that you know how to become a certified interior designer, you can take your skills out into the world! You can help people transform their spaces and make their design dreams come true.

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