If you need help studying for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam or just want some more information about what the exam is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free NCIDQ practice test!
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the NCIDQ exam, you’ll have to meet the eligibility requirements based on your education:
Interior Design
90 quarter credit hours needed
Architecture
90 quarter credit hours needed
If you meet one of these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 414 questions total, but only 355 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 59 unscored questions on the exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
The exam is split into three sections, each with their own time limit. You’ll get two optional built-in breaks during both the IDFX and IDPX sections, each break lasting 10 minutes.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the exam.
Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX)
125 questions | 3 hours
- Programming and site analysis
- Relationship between human behavior and the designed environment
- Design communication techniques
- Life safety and universal design
- Interior building materials and finishes
- Technical specifications for furniture, fixtures, and equipment and lighting
- Construction drawings, schedules, and specifications
- Professional development and ethics
Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX)
175 questions | 4 hours
- Project assessment and sustainability
- Project process, roles, and coordination
- Professional business practices
- Code requirements, laws, standards, and regulations
- Integration with building systems and construction
- Integration of furniture, fixtures, and equipment
- Contract administration
Practicum Exam (PRAC)
114 questions | 4 hours
- Programming, planning, and analysis
- Code requirements, laws, standards, and regulations
- Integration with building systems and construction
- Contract documents
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam!
To get started, you’ll need to create a MyNCIDQ account and submit an application on the CDIQ website. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things).
When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the application fee, which is $225.
Once your application is approved, you’ll be able to register for each section of the exam and pay the applicable testing fees:
- IDFX: $295
- IDPX: $355
- PRAC: $460
NCIDQ Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 200 and 800.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test during the next testing administration.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay the full testing fee every time you retake the test.
FAQs
What does NCIDQ stand for?
NCIDQ stands for National Council for Interior Design Qualification.
How many questions are on the NCIDQ exam?
The full exam contains 414 questions total.
What is the time limit for the NCIDQ exam?
The full exam is timed at 11 hours, with each section lasting 3-4 hours.
What is the passing score for the NCIDQ exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 500 on each section to pass the exam.
How much does the NCIDQ exam cost?
The application fee is $225, and the exam fees vary for each section.