Many experienced designers choose to take the NCIDQ Exam – it's not just for designers early in their careers.
Here are some of the designers we talked to:
Since graduating with a design degree from UCD in the early 80's, taking and passing the NCIDQ Exam had always been a goal of mine. Unfortunately work, life and family got in the way. I finally took and passed the exam 2 years ago.
Studying for the exam I learned a few things that 25+ years of professional practice hadn't taught me!
The profession has had it's changes in 25 years. Looking at my certificate hanging on the wall, I realize that I know what is relevant to today's design practice.
I wish I'd been able to do it years ago, but I'm so proud that I didn't give up on my goal.
Lisa Vander Meulen, IIDA
NCIDQ Certificate No. 27922
I arrived here from England without recognizable qualifications to do what I had already been doing professionally for ten years in London. Passing the NCIDQ Exam meant: Being sure about the body of knowledge I would need to practice here in the USA.
Passing the exam would confirm to employers that I had what it takes.
I approached studying by reading everything and then self testing. I pretended to teach what I had learned, and then researched things so that I could speak about them in an authoritative way.
And because I had no one to advise me on what was important vs. what you can skip – I studied it all. I could not slack or cheat or only study specific things and I was constantly in fear of missing something.
I will be forever grateful to the NCIDQ organization. They have their finger on the pulse of interior design and tailor the exam for what is current & relevant.
I am proud to be NCIDQ Certificate No. 016465.
Philip Adams, ASID, CID, LEED AP