EXAMINATION

Examination is an elemental determinant in whether or not an individual has met the minimum competency standards to practice a profession. All states and jurisdictions with licensing or registration laws in place use examination as a qualifying measure for the licensure or registration of professionals.

In order to inform consumers and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, it is essential that states and jurisdictions recognize an examination that tests the necessary minimum competency for the practice of interior design.

The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) is the nationally recognized interior design testing agency. The NCIDQ examination is the only national interior design exam developed and administered in the United States by an agency that is independent from other interior design organizations and is the only examination that tests for all competency areas of interior design practice.

		The NCIDQ examination is entirely directed at public health, safety and welfare.
		The NCIDQ is currently the only examination that tests minimum competency in the full body of interior design knowledge.

The NCIDQ tests six performance areas:

		Project organization
		Programming (data gathering)
		Schematic Design (concept elements)
		Design Development (specific development of concept)
		Contract Documents (drawings and specifications)
		Contract Administration (bids and oversight of construction)

In order to be eligible to sit for the examination, an applicant must first complete a combination of interior design-specific education and work experience. Passage of the NCIDQ examination illustrates that an individual has met the minimum standards of competency to practice interior design.

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