How to Become a Certified Kitchen Designer

Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) isn't just another name for an interior decorator. CKD is a specialized certification offered through the National Kitchen & Bath Association. As a CKD, you would interview clients about their lifestyle and kitchen use, and draw up plans, including everything from construction to lighting and appliances. Then you'd review the plans with your client, make adjustments, finalize the details and oversee the completion of the project.

Things You'll Need

• 7 years of residential kitchen design experience (or the educational/experience equivalent)
• Affidavits regarding your work from contractors, architects and other design professionals
• Recommendations from previous customers
• Drawings, plans and photographs from two projects you've completed
• $275 for fees

Instructions

You Can Become a Certified Kitchen Designer

1. You need specialized experience before you can apply to become a Certified Kitchen Designer. This may include working as a designer at a kitchen supply store or apprenticing with an interior decorator or Certified Kitchen Designer. If you're a student and you work on projects on the side, those also qualify as experience.

2. Visit the National Kitchen & Bath Association's website, and pull up the application to be a Certified Kitchen Designer. Some pages of the application are specifically for professional and customer recommendations. Contact previous clients and professionals whom you've worked with (designers, contractors, architects) and explain that you're working to become a Certified Kitchen Designer. Ask if they'd be willing to supply a recommendation for your application. Then forward the paperwork to those who say yes.

3. Find out the date for the next Certified Kitchen Designer exam (also on the National Kitchen & Bath Association website). All your recommendations and your application must be completed at least 12 weeks before the exam. If it's too late, you can wait for the next exam.

4. Twelve weeks or more before the exam, send in your application along with your application fee and exam fee (about $275). You can submit a "late" application up to two weeks after the 12-week deadline, but you'll need to include an extra late fee of about $75.

5. Review and study all the training materials you've accumulated about kitchen design. Also, stay updated on new technologies and trends by taking a refresher seminar or an online class.

Tips & Warnings

• The National Kitchen & Bath Association offers many levels of certification, including Associate Kitchen Designer, which is easier to qualify for than Certified Kitchen Designer.

Resources

• Visit the National Kitchen & Bath Association site to apply to be a CKD.