2 Key Questions Designers Should Ask About Building Their Skills
A design coach provides a framework for thinking about which education and credentialing options make the most sense
This is the first column in a two-part series on questions designers should ask themselves to help determine which additional education, credentialing and trade association memberships to pursue.
As an interior design coach, I get a lot of questions from both designers and students about education, certification, licensing and trade association membership. Some designers wonder why they should go through all the studying and hassle of more schooling when they’re already working with clients and making money at it. Others ask if the time and money invested in a trade organization is worth it. Still others want to know whether they need to pursue all four of these career development routes or if they should just choose one — and if so, which one it should be.
In this column, I’m going to ask you two key questions that can help you think about what makes sense for you. I’ll bring you two more key questions to consider in the second part of the series.
As an interior design coach, I get a lot of questions from both designers and students about education, certification, licensing and trade association membership. Some designers wonder why they should go through all the studying and hassle of more schooling when they’re already working with clients and making money at it. Others ask if the time and money invested in a trade organization is worth it. Still others want to know whether they need to pursue all four of these career development routes or if they should just choose one — and if so, which one it should be.
In this column, I’m going to ask you two key questions that can help you think about what makes sense for you. I’ll bring you two more key questions to consider in the second part of the series.
1. What Are Your State’s Rules?
Every state is different when it comes to the requirements to practice as an interior designer, and the truth is the rules can be confusing. If you’re just getting started or exploring the field, check to see if your state allows designers to practice without a license. It may be that it does — but prohibits them from using specific terms when referring to their qualifications.
For instance, Alabama prohibits people from calling themselves interior designers without a state license, but it allows them to practice design work as long as they don’t use that specific title.
California requires pros to pass tests to call themselves certified interior designers, and Florida has similar rules for pros to call themselves registered interior designers. In both cases, pros can still practice and call themselves interior designers — it’s the use of the additional descriptor that’s restricted.
Every state is different when it comes to the requirements to practice as an interior designer, and the truth is the rules can be confusing. If you’re just getting started or exploring the field, check to see if your state allows designers to practice without a license. It may be that it does — but prohibits them from using specific terms when referring to their qualifications.
For instance, Alabama prohibits people from calling themselves interior designers without a state license, but it allows them to practice design work as long as they don’t use that specific title.
California requires pros to pass tests to call themselves certified interior designers, and Florida has similar rules for pros to call themselves registered interior designers. In both cases, pros can still practice and call themselves interior designers — it’s the use of the additional descriptor that’s restricted.
States such as Louisiana and Nevada restrict all activities involved in the practice of interior design without a license. The exceptions are licensed architects and any activities that are considered “decorating,” such as selecting furniture or drapery fabric.
In many states, designers must first pass a national exam (CQRID or NCIDQ) to be eligible to take the state exam. Most states also require a combination of education and work experience to sit for the state test. One benefit of becoming certified or registered with your state is that the knowledge you need to pass the tests can also be very helpful on the job. Another benefit is being able to set yourself apart as a qualified professional in the eyes of the consumer.
Everything You Need to Know About Interior Design Certification
In many states, designers must first pass a national exam (CQRID or NCIDQ) to be eligible to take the state exam. Most states also require a combination of education and work experience to sit for the state test. One benefit of becoming certified or registered with your state is that the knowledge you need to pass the tests can also be very helpful on the job. Another benefit is being able to set yourself apart as a qualified professional in the eyes of the consumer.
Everything You Need to Know About Interior Design Certification
2. What Is Expected in Your Local Market and Business Niche?
Let’s suppose that you don’t need to meet any specific requirements to practice interior design in your state. Then you may want to consider whether formal education or certification makes sense for your own practice area and clientele, as well as for your business goals.
For instance, if you’re in a smaller town helping clients select fabrics and finishes for interior furnishings, then a design degree or those mysterious capital letters after your name may not be that important to you. In this case, the title you use should be designer or interior decorator.
If you’re in a larger metropolitan area and your work involves selecting building materials, drawing plans for remodeling or new construction, dictating space flow and anything else beyond basic decor selection, your needs will be very different. You may be expected to understand codes to meet fire, safety and Americans With Disabilities Act requirements. Dealing with drawings for an entire house without AutoCAD or drafting experience, space-planning understanding and local codes knowledge is pretty impossible. In this case, formal education as well as certification may make sense for you.
Let’s suppose that you don’t need to meet any specific requirements to practice interior design in your state. Then you may want to consider whether formal education or certification makes sense for your own practice area and clientele, as well as for your business goals.
For instance, if you’re in a smaller town helping clients select fabrics and finishes for interior furnishings, then a design degree or those mysterious capital letters after your name may not be that important to you. In this case, the title you use should be designer or interior decorator.
If you’re in a larger metropolitan area and your work involves selecting building materials, drawing plans for remodeling or new construction, dictating space flow and anything else beyond basic decor selection, your needs will be very different. You may be expected to understand codes to meet fire, safety and Americans With Disabilities Act requirements. Dealing with drawings for an entire house without AutoCAD or drafting experience, space-planning understanding and local codes knowledge is pretty impossible. In this case, formal education as well as certification may make sense for you.
Pursuing the design education required to sit for certification exams — or even to gain a degree along the way — can expand your skill set and boost your confidence. Many local community colleges have excellent design programs that can help you fill the gap for the more technical aspects of the industry.
Again, you don’t necessarily have to take the route of formal education. Much of the information needed to effectively practice interior design — and to qualify for the exams for certification or licensing — can also be obtained with work experience. I know several designers who have thriving businesses without a formal education in design.
As the public becomes more aware of the potential pitfalls of undertaking a design project, convincing a client to hire you without formal education, or many years of experience, is becoming increasingly difficult.
Beth Whitlinger has been in the design business for nearly 40 years. When she’s not guiding interior designers through her coaching business, The Interior Design Coach, she’s the principal designer at Beth Whitlinger Interior Design.
Have a question for Beth? Email it to editor@houzz.com, Attention: Beth Whitlinger, or post your question in the Comments. It could be featured in a future column.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more Designing a Business columns
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Again, you don’t necessarily have to take the route of formal education. Much of the information needed to effectively practice interior design — and to qualify for the exams for certification or licensing — can also be obtained with work experience. I know several designers who have thriving businesses without a formal education in design.
As the public becomes more aware of the potential pitfalls of undertaking a design project, convincing a client to hire you without formal education, or many years of experience, is becoming increasingly difficult.
Beth Whitlinger has been in the design business for nearly 40 years. When she’s not guiding interior designers through her coaching business, The Interior Design Coach, she’s the principal designer at Beth Whitlinger Interior Design.
Have a question for Beth? Email it to editor@houzz.com, Attention: Beth Whitlinger, or post your question in the Comments. It could be featured in a future column.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more Designing a Business columns
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Still, there are plenty of people practicing what is typically considered interior design without any of the above credentials. Let’s go over four key things to consider about education, certification, licensing and trade association membership to help you make the best choice for your situation.