State interior design registration or license (where the state regulates it)
Granted by state interior design boards, in the jurisdictions that regulate it, not by a national exam alone. An interior design degree with at least 60 semester (90 quarter) interior design credit hours for the NCIDQ Exam; BLS: a bachelor's degree is typical to enter the occupation.
How to get licensed
An interior design degree with at least 60 semester (90 quarter) interior design credit hours for the NCIDQ Exam; BLS: a bachelor's degree is typical to enter the occupation.
- Interior design degree (CIDA-accredited is the shortest route to the exam)Exam
- NCIDQ IDFX (graduates, or students in their final year, can take it first)
- Supervised work experience (3,520 to 7,040 hours depending on education)
- NCIDQ IDIX and IDPX, all within the eligibility period
- Registration or license from the state board, where the state regulates interior designLicense
The exams
National bodies write the exams; the state board decides who is licensed. CIDQ (Council for Interior Design Qualification): writes and administers the NCIDQ Exam and issues the NCIDQ Certificate; licenses no one; CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation): accredits interior design degree programs (CIDQ's shortest work experience route starts from a CIDA-accredited degree).
- NCIDQ Exam: IDFX, IDIX (formerly PRAC) and IDPXIDFX 115 questions in 3 hours; IDIX 130 questions in 4 hours; IDPX 115 questions in 3 hours (multiple choice, drag and place, fill in the blank, hot spot). Offered twice a year, in April and October.
CIDQ
NCIDQ Candidate Handbook (education and work experience table, fees, exam sections)Council for Interior Design Qualification- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- NCIDQ application routesRoute 1 (all three sections) when you already meet the education and work experience requirements; Route 2 lets graduates, or students in the final year of an interior design degree, take the IDFX first and the IDIX and IDPX after the work experience. Route 1 candidates must pass all three within 10 exam administrations.
CIDQ
Apply Here: NCIDQ Exam application routesCouncil for Interior Design Qualification- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- NCIDQ feesRoute 1: $235 application, then exam fees of $305 (IDFX), $470 (IDIX) and $365 (IDPX). Route 2: $100 for the IDFX-only application and $150 for part 2. Application fees are non-refundable.
CIDQ
NCIDQ Candidate Handbook (education and work experience table, fees, exam sections)Council for Interior Design Qualification- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
State rules and other states
Licensure requirements vary by state. In some states only licensed designers may do interior design work; in others anyone may do the work but only licensed designers may use the title “interior designer”; in others there is no restriction (BLS). CIDQ lists the regulated jurisdictions and says all of them require NCIDQ Certification except California.
What 4 state boards publish
| State | What the board asks for | Exam | Fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) | Registered Interior Designer by examination: meet CIDQ's education and experience requirements and pass the NCIDQ. Fees: $100 application, $200 initial registration; 12 hours of continuing education a year. CIDQRegulated Jurisdictions and RequirementsCouncil for Interior Design Qualification
CIDQ says the guide is current as of August 2025 and to confirm with each jurisdiction. View source | |||
| Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design (DBPR) | A certificate of registration as a registered interior designer and a seal need written proof of passing the CIDQ exam (or an equivalent). Anyone licensed as an interior designer in good standing on 1 July 2020 may obtain the registration. Fla. Stat.Florida Statutes s. 481.209 (Examinations: registered interior designer)The Florida Legislature
| |||
| Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design | Registered Interior Designer: a CIDA-accredited (or substantially equivalent) program and at least 2 years of interior design experience; a Nevada supplemental exam ($100). Eight CEUs a year in health, safety and welfare. CIDQRegulated Jurisdictions and RequirementsCouncil for Interior Design Qualification
CIDQ says the guide is current as of August 2025 and to confirm with each jurisdiction. View source | |||
| Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Interior Designers | Registered Interior Designer: 6 years of interior design education and experience combined, e.g. a 4-year program plus 2 years of experience, or a 2-year program plus 4 years; education from a CIDA-accredited (or board-approved) program. CIDQRegulated Jurisdictions and RequirementsCouncil for Interior Design Qualification
CIDQ says the guide is current as of August 2025 and to confirm with each jurisdiction. View source | |||
Each row is copied from that board's own page and cites it. A dash means the board page we read did not state it. Other states have their own rules: check the board where you will work, or open the state pages.
Good to know
Not always required
- Interior design work in states without an interior design law; there both licensed and unlicensed designers may call themselves interior designers (BLS).
Changes to watch
- Nebraska (2024 LB 16) and Pennsylvania (2024 SB 1319) enacted new interior design title laws in 2024; CIDQ says their requirements will be posted when available.