How to Become a CID Certified Interior Decorator
While interior designers can receive bachelor and master's degrees in their areas of expertise, there is no national governing body that recognizes interior designers and decorators with licensing or professional designations. The Certified Interior Decorator (CID) recognition was created to offer designers and decorators a way to set themselves apart in the competitive field.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Certificate from accredited interior decorator program Membership in Certified Interior Decorators International
Instructions
-
-
1
Enroll in an accredited program that teaches the courses required by Certified Interior Decorators International (CID). Schools such as the Decorator Training Institute and Penn-Foster Career School offer courses that utilize the recommended text, "Elements of Interior Design and Decoration," by Sherrill Whitton.
-
2
Complete the lesson plans for the course. Subjects that will be covered include topics such as furniture placement, floor planning for showrooms, wall coverings, window treatments and lighting. An entire chapter is dedicated to accessories and how to utilize them in final plans. The CID recommends that students learn how to charge for their services and how to build a small independent business.
-
-
3
Order the CID study guide and membership examination upon completion of the course. The guide and exam cost $95. Complete the exam either online or at home and return it to the association. Decorators who pass the exam and have shown proof of having completed the required course receive results of the test within seven days of its completion.
-
4
Join the Certified Interior Decorators International as a professional to receive the coveted designation. The cost for membership is $295. Students may join the organization and receive many of the networking and educational benefits of membership for $165.
-
5
Renew the membership annually to retain the CID and continue to receive the association newsletter, have access to a variety of tools sold by the group, gain entrance to meetings, seminars and association trade shows and obtain listings in the association referral network.
-
6
Participate in association meetings and trade shows. Utilize the network of preferred vendors and the discounts that members enjoy. Take advantage of CID professional development courses to remain current in home and commercial design and the technology that comes out to serve the industry.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Put the letters, C.I.D., on your business cards once you've been accepted for membership by the organization. Clients always feel more comfortable with a professional designation, which is one of the reasons the certificate program was created.
A CID is no guarantee that work will be forthcoming. A designer must develop a stable of solid working relationships that send referrals. A CID does not replace networking and marketing efforts.
