NCIDQ, now officially the Council for Interior Design Qualification, Inc., has announced plans to phase out applicants for the NCIDQ Exams who qualify through “Route 5” after December 31, 2018.
This is an effort to maintain the NCIDQ Certificate as the gold standard for interior design professionals.
How does this change the game?
Firstly, this is old news. CIDQ gave us the head’s up on this back in 2011.
But this change impacts designers NOW, because aside from having only 4 more years to go before this takes effect, this would also change how students or professional designers make decisions to compete in the interior design field.
Which route are you? Here are the pathways a designer might take:
Route 1
A Bachelor’s or master’s degree from an interior design program that has been accredited by CIDA, plus 3,520 hours of qualifying work experience.
Route 2
A Bachelor’s degree from an interior design program that has not been accredited by CIDA, but which includes a minimum of 120 semester units or 180 quarter units. Degree must include 60 semester or 90 quarter units of coursework in interior design. This route also requires 3,520 hours of qualifying work experience.
Route 3
A Bachelor’s degree in a field unrelated to interior design, plus 60 semester or 90 quarter credits of interior design courses resulting in a certificate, diploma, or degree. This route is suitable for individuals pursuing a career change and who also already have a bachelor’s degree. This eligibility option also requires 3,520 hours of qualifying work experience.
Route 4
An Associates degree comprised of 60 semester/90 quarter units of interior design courses, plus 5,280 hours of qualifying work experience.
Route 5
An Associates degree comprised of 40 semester/60 quarter units of interior design courses, plus 7,040 hours of qualifying work experience. (This will be phased out in 2018)
Route 6
Bachelor’s or Masters degree from an NAAB or CACB accredited architecture program, plus 5,280 hours of qualifying work experience.
What will you do about this change?
In the Qpractice study group, opinions were mixed. From some who questioned the comparison of a 2-year program to a 4-year program, and some who see the need for licensing for Interior Design to be mandated in all states, to those who also welcome the change.
What CIDQ has to say
According to past CIDQ President Kim Ciesynski, NCIDQ:
Many schools have already come up to the 60 semester credit hours needed. Emerging Professionals will have until December 31st 2018 to apply for the exam with the current standards.
“As an educator, I know how challenging it can be to prepare students to enter a dynamic profession that is growing in both complexity and demand,” said 2011 CIDQ President Patty Blaser, a professor at Brookdale Community College.
Interior design continues to evolve as consumers require more from their design professionals. All of us in the educational and professional community need to be ready to help these future designers meet those challenges – whether it’s through education, mentorship or supervising their entry-level practice.
And this aligns perfectly with the goals of Qpractice. We’re here to provide the education you need to pass the challenging NCIDQ exam.
Whether this affects your current goals and career plans, what designers decide now has to count. You have until 2018 to do a Tim Gunn and “make it work.”
Download a visual summary of your eligibility options, and for more information about eligibility, contact:
CIDQ
225 REINEKERS LANE
SUITE 210
ALEXANDRIA VA 22314
Phone: 202.721.0220
Email: inquiries@cidq.org
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