Interior Design Career Path

7 Steps to Practice in the State of Alabama

The Interior Design Career Path of a Registered Interior Designer (RID) consists of 7 steps to practice in the state of Alabama.

  1. CIDA-accredited Interior Design Degree and 2 years full-time work experience*
  2. NON-CIDA-accredited Interior Design Degree and 2 years full-time work experience*
  3. Other Degree + Interior Design Degree and 2 years full-time work experience*
  4. Associate’s Degree (60 hours) in Interior Design and 3 years full-time work experience*
  5. Associate’s Degree (40 hours) in Interior Design and 4 years full-time work experience*
  6. NAAB or CACB accredited Architecture Degree and 3 years full-time work experience*

*Work experience must be under the direct supervision of an NCIDQ certified designer, a registered interior designer, or an architect who offers interior design services.

After completion of education and work experience, one may apply to take the NCIDQ exam. It takes 6 weeks for CIDQ to determine eligibility to take the exam. For more details please visit www.cidq.org/apply.

There are 3 parts to the NCIDQ examination (IDFX, IDPX, PRAC) and restrictions on how many years are allowed to complete all three parts. The route taken for education and experience will determine when parts of the exam may be taken. Please visit the CIDQ website and download the visual summary for more information.

Certification occurs upon notification of passing the NCIDQ exam and agreeing to the Terms and Conditions, Code of Ethics and a 0.6 CEU agreement with CIDQ.

Application to the Alabama State Board of Registration for Interior Design (ABRID) may occur after NCIDQ certification. The application will be reviewed, information verified and applicants will be notified by the board.

In order for RID’s in the state of Alabama to uphold their registration, ten hours of CEU’s are required each year and due no later than September 30th of each year. This continuing education ensures that Registered Interior Designers are abreast of all new information pertaining to building codes, sustainability and new products that may benefit the public.

All RID’s for the state of Alabama are required to renew their registration annually and fulfill all CEU requirements.

The first 3 steps, Education, Work Experience and Examination, are essential in order to become an RID. ABRID requires our RID’s to pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination. Therefore, the Council for Interior Design Qualification’s (CIDQ) requirements to take the NCIDQ exam are an important step to having a fulfilling career in Interior Design. There are 6 combinations of education and work experience the CIDQ will accept in order to qualify to take the NCIDQ. 

Registered Interior Designer: Amy Estock, Birmingham | Birchfield Penuel Workplace