School Requirements for Interior Designing
If you have an eye for design and love working with people, then you may want to become an interior designer. An interior designer is different from an interior decorator. There are no educational or licensing requirements to be an interior decorator, while the interior designing field is regulated. You must become certified and, in many states, be licensed before you can work as an interior designer.
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Education and Experience Overview
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Before you can become certified as an interior designer, you are required to have at least six years of combined education and work experience.
Accredited Programs
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The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) endorses programs that meet certain quality standards. Attending an accredited program is not required to become certified as an interior designer, but having the accreditation makes it easier to become licensed in some states.
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Education
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Interior design programs are available through many major universities as well as small, specialty colleges. Some programs are even available online. Interior design education generally takes from two to five years.
Experience
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After graduating, you need to gain experience before you can take the certification test. The amount of qualified work experience you need depends on the degree that you have. A two-year degree require an additional 7,040 hours of work, a three-year degree requires an additional 5,280 hours of work and a four-year degree requires an additional 3,520 hours of work.
Certification
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After you have gained the required interior design education and work experience, you can take the exam given by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) to become certified.
Licence
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Some states require you to register for a license to practice interior design in that state. You will need to verify your education, experience and certification and may have to take an exam.
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