Interior Design Examination and Evaluation Committee

General Questions

1. How does one become certified as an interior designer in New Jersey?

   An applicant shall request in writing from the Board of Architects-Interior Design Examination and Evaluation Committee an application form, complete and together with the application fee return to the Board office. The applicant shall successfully complete the National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination which may have been passed at any time prior to application and provide proof of one of the following combinations of education and experience demonstrating that the applicant:

   1. Is a graduate of a five-year interior design program accredited by Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) or a substantially equivalent program approved by the Committee pursuant to (e) below and has completed one year of diversified interior design services experience; or
   2. Is a graduate of a four-year interior design program accredited by Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) or a substantially equivalent program approved by the Committee pursuant to (e) below and has completed at least two years of diversified interior design services experience; or
   3. Has completed at least three years of an interior design program accredited by Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) or a substantially equivalent program approved by the Committee pursuant to (e) below and has completed four years of diversified interior design services experience; or
   4. Is a graduate of a two-year interior design program accredited by Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) or a substantially equivalent program approved by the Committee pursuant to (e) below and has completed at least two years of diversified interior design services experience.
   5. An applicant for certification as an interior designer who is a graduate of a school or program not accredited by CIDA shall provide to the Committee an official transcript of his or her courses, a true and accurate course description for each of the interior design courses for which the candidate is seeking credit toward certification and/or other such documentation that is requested by the Committee.
   
   The applicant shall also request college transcripts be mailed by the college/university and NCIDQ examination grades and/or council records forwarded directly to the Board office.

2. Must I be a citizen of the United States to be eligible for licensure?

   No. New Jersey State law allows for all individuals, regardless of citizenship status, to obtain a professional or occupational license in New Jersey if all requirements for licensure are met. Individuals with undocumented status are eligible for licensure and a social security number is not required for licensure.
   

3. When does my interior design certification have to be renewed?

   All interior design certificates issued by the Board shall be issued biennially. The expiration date for all licenses is September 30th of the even-numbered year. A certificate holder who seeks renewal of the certificate shall submit a completed renewal application, a statement that the licensee has successfully completed the continuing education requirement pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:27-9.10 and the renewal fee as set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:27-9.17 prior to the expiration date of the license.

4. How many continuing education (C.E.) hours are required for certification renewal?

   A certificate holder shall not re required to obtain continuing education credit hours during the first biennial renewal period in which the certificate holder first obtains certification. "Continuing education credit hour" means one 60-minute clock hour of an educational activity with no less than 50 minutes of instructional content within the hour. For each succeeding biennial renewal period, the certificate holder shall complete a minimum of twelve (12) continuing education credit hours. Of the 12 continuing education credit hours, at least six (6) must concern health, safety and welfare issues related to interior design services.

5. Can I place my interior design certification on "inactive" status?

   Yes. An interior designer has the option of either active or inactive status. A licensee electing inactive status shall not hold himself or herself out as a Certified Interior Designer.

6. If I let my license lapse, what are the requirements for reinstatement?

   The licensee is required to pay a reinstatement fee and all pass delinquent biennial renewal fees as set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:27-9.17 and provide the Board with documentation of proof that he or she completed the continuing education credits required for each biennial certification period.

7. How do I change my address with the Board?

   Certified Interior Designers are required to report to the Board, in writing, any change in address within 30 days after the effective date of that change. Failure to notify the Board of any change of address may result in disciplinary action pursuant to N.J.S.A. 13:27-9.16.

8. What are the fees involved for an active licensee?

   Application Fee: $125.00
   Initial Certification Fee: $160.00
   Late Fee: $50.00
   Reinstatement Fee: $100.00
   Biennial Renewal Fee: $160.00
   Duplicate Wall Certificate Fee: $25.00
   Verification of Licensure Fee: $25.00