Everything You Need to Know About the NCIDQ Exam

Interior designers don’t just make spaces look pretty. They design functional and inspiring environments for businesses, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, gyms and schools. NCIDQ Certified designers create the most important spaces everywhere that people live, work, play and learn.

Why should I take the NCIDQ Exam?

Not everyone working in interior design needs to take the NCIDQ Exam. And not everyone who wants to take the exam is eligible. Earning the NCIDQ Certification differentiates you from less qualified designers and decorators. NCIDQ Certification demonstrates you have the skills. It shows you have the knowledge to create interior spaces that provide equal access and protect the public health, safety and well being for all occupants.

Passing the exam isn’t easy, but with your focused and dedicated preparation, it is attainable.

Get an edge on your competition by having the NCIDQ Certificate, so you can work on top tier projects and earn more money — you deserve it.

Which states and provinces require NCIDQ Certification?

As of fall 2020, more than half of US States, Puerto Rico and the Canadian Provinces have some form of Interior Design legislation. These are laws regarding the scope of practice and title of Interior Designers, with and without permitting privileges. This is constantly changing at both the federal and local levels.

Interior Design laws expand business opportunities for registered interior designers. Legislation allows for Registered, Licensed, and/or NCIDQ Certified interior designers to sign, seal, and submit drawings for permitting in some states.

It's important to check with your local jurisdiction regarding their requirements before beginning your application process. Then you can prepare your paperwork to meet any jurisdictional requirements at the same time.

Even if your state does not require registration, other states you work in may. So it’s always a good idea to make sure you meet the highest standards. Besides, having your NCIDQ Certificate can help you earn more.

Places you can start for information:

• American Society of Interior Designers
• International Interior Design Association
• Interior Designers of Canada
• Your State Board of Architecture and Interior Design
• Your State Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Read the Qpractice guide to example state application processes so you can learn more about how to get your interior design license.

Before we dive into the details on each of the three exams, let's take a look at the latest statistics:

What do interior designers earn?

Even in times of peak employment, there aren’t enough qualified designers for the types of projects that require them. With the shifting needs of real estate, and evolution of construction and remodeling projects post COVID-19, more qualified designers will be required to help adapt the designed environment to meet these changes.

According to ASID, Interior Designers can earn well over $70,000 USD per year. In today's competitive economy, median salaries for NCIDQ interior designers are $16,000 higher. See our update for Interior Designer Salaries in 2020.

A U.S. Census Bureau report showed that professionals with certifications (apart from their college and university-awarded degrees) earn 21.38% more than those with only an educational certificate. They also do better by 33.9% than those without any educational certificate.

NCIDQ Exam statistics

More designers take the NCIDQ Exam each year because they recognize the value of the NCIDQ Certification. Interest in the NCIDQ Exam trends upwards, so it's an important milestone in your career.

Recognition of NCIDQ Certification as the “Gold Standard” for professionalism makes earning your certification even more important.

These are some of the most asked about highlights as of 12/31/2020  from the 2020 CIDQ Annual Report. This includes the 872 new NCIDQ Certificate holders from the Fall Exam administration.

63% of the new NCIDQ Certificate Holders were Qpractice Members!

2020 highlights

• Total NCIDQ Certificate Holders: 34,847
• Active NCIDQ Certificate Holders: 14,506
• Approved Applications for Fall 2020: 989
• Exam Registrations for Fall 2020: 5,503

NCIDQ Exam pass rates by exam section

How well do Interior Designers perform on their exams?  Here are the latest 2020 passing rates:

PRAC

NCIDQ Practicum Exam (PRAC)
The Practicum is a computer-based exam covering the same competencies as past hand drawn exams. It now uses several new question types. As with IDPX, You can take PRAC once you meet CIDQ’s work experience requirements for hours earned under a direct supervisor or sponsor.

NCIDQ PRAC Eligibility Requirements
Minimum 2 years work experience

PRAC is for exam candidates who have From 3,520 WORK HOURS (2 Years Full-Time) to 7,040 WORK HOURS (4 Years Full-Time), depending upon education.

NCIDQ PRAC Exam Length and Format
120 questions —  hotspot, drag and place, and fill in the blank / 4 hours

You’ll have four hours to complete 120 questions, and all count towards your grade. The PRAC Exam is not software specific, so does not require CAD or Revit proficiency.

There are 3 scenarios called Case Studies, which include a series of resource tabs for reference. These are project descriptions, floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, door and hardware schedules, and lighting cut sheets or specifications.

Case studies represent the most common project types that interior designers deal with. These are multifamily residential, small and large commercial spaces.

Beginning with the April 2021 Exam administration, PRAC will use new “real life” building codes:
International Building Code (IBC)(2018)
International Plumbing Code (IPC) (2018)
ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (2009)

NCIDQ IDFX Passing Score
500 / 800 scaled score, not raw scores. Learn how to understand exam scoring →

NCIDQ PRAC Blueprint
The Practicum Exam (PRAC) for 2021 tests your application of knowledge regarding:

1. Programming, Planning, and Analysis 15%
2. Code Requirements, Laws, Standards, and Regulations 30%
3. Integration with Building Systems and Construction 25%
4. Contract Documents 30%

How to apply for PRAC

NCIDQ IDPX Exam Cost
Application fee: from $145 up to $225 (if applying for all 3 exams)
Exam fee: $460 per test session

1. Create a free application account online with CIDQ at MyNCIDQ
2. Send official, sealed copies of your educational transcript(s) showing the date of your degree, as issued by the school. Mail these along with CIDQ’s Transcript Submission Form to ensure they match the correct transcript to the correct account.
3. Upload completed work verification forms — 1 per employer/supervisor or sponsor
4. Pay Application Fee and submit. You will be notified by email.

How long do I have to pass PRAC?

You must pass within 10 exam administrations, approximately 5 years.
NCIDQ PRAC Scheduling Dates
Spring: January 3 – March 31
Fall: July 1 – September 30

NCIDQ PRAC Exam Testing Dates
Spring: April 1-30
Fall: October 1-31

The Practicum is known as the most difficult of the three exams, especially in terms of timing. Qpractice is the only test prep platform to offer the same format of question types online — hotspot, drag and place, and fill in the blank.

We also conduct live workshops where we work as a group to reason through exam scenarios. This helps you understand the “why” behind each question and the thought processes required to select the correct answer. Get access to the Answer Vault — an extensive library of exam scenarios in different formats. Learn the concepts behind these scenario type problems. Watch a demonstration video showing the Practicum Exam format.