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How to Become an Interior Designer: Steps and Qualifications by State

By Katie Barton | Published on Reviewed by Stefan Gheorghe

Becoming an interior designer requires schooling and, in many states, an interior design license. If you’ve thought of pursuing this path, there are many steps to getting your career off the ground.

In this article, we’ll explore the basic steps of becoming an interior designer and state qualifications.

How to Become an Interior Designer: Step by Step

How to Become an Interior Designer

While you can become an interior decorator without schooling or licensure, the steps to becoming an interior designer are much more intricate. Interior designers are responsible for the function of a space and, in addition to learning design concepts, must also be familiar with zoning requirements and computer-aided design programs.

Step 1: Earn an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree

The first step to becoming an interior designer is enrolling in an interior design program and earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. During schooling, you’ll need to take classes on fundamentals of design, computer-aided design software, and drawing. If you earn a bachelor’s degree, you’ll also take courses in marketing and business, which can set you up to work for yourself.

While not all states require a bachelor’s degree to work as an interior designer, many do. Plus, a bachelor’s degree is the better route if you want to work for a design firm, as most require it.

You can start by earning an associate degree and then move forward with your education based on your goals and your state’s requirements. Keep in mind that to become a certified interior designer, some states require applicants to attend a CIDA (certified interior design accreditation) design school.

Step 2: Apply for Internships

Internships can help you get hands-on design practice and earn the necessary experience to take the NCIDQ exam. If you reside in a state that requires completion of this exam, you’ll need anywhere from 3,520 to 7,040 experience hours to qualify.

In addition to applying for internships, you’ll likely need to work for a design firm or under a licensed interior designer to accumulate enough experience hours.

During this time, you can decide what type of interior design you’d like to specialize in, such as commercial, residential, healthcare settings, etc.

Step 3: Complete the NCIDQ Exam

If you live in one of the 27 states that require completion of the NCIDQ, you’ll need to take and pass this exam before receiving your interior design license. Even if you don’t live in a state requiring NCIDQ certification, completing this exam can increase your chance of being hired by a design firm and help establish your career.

To sit for the NCIDQ examination, you must complete these eligibility guidelines:

  • Earn an Associates degree, certification, or diploma and complete 5,280 experience hours
  • Complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in another major or an interior design certificate, diploma, or degree and complete 3,520 work-experience hours
  • Complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree and complete 3,520 work-experience hours

The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) has three parts. The first section is Fundamentals IDFX/IDFX Only. You can complete this portion of the exam if you’re in the last year of your Master’s or Bachelor’s degree program or have met the educational requirements but haven’t yet met the work experience requirements. 

The other two portions of the exam include Professional IDPX and Practicum PRAC. You must complete education and work experience requirements before you’re eligible to take these.

Step 4: Create Your Portfolio

You can begin creating your portfolio before or after completing the NCIDQ. Your portfolio should be full of high-quality photos capturing your best work. You can put your portfolio online if you’re trying to attract your own clients or submit it to a design firm. 

Step 5: Grow Your Business

If you’re working for yourself, build your brand identity, develop a social media strategy, and network at local events. Establishing yourself as a new designer can take time, so the more you network, the better.

Interior Designer Requirements By State

The primary path to becoming an interior designer is as follows:

  • Earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in a design-related field
  • Gain relevant work experience
  • Take the NCIDQ to receive an interior design license

But, in the United States, each state sets its own regulations, which makes the path more complicated. Some states have strict rules for interior designers, while others have none. Here are interior design qualifications by state.

Since states can change requirements anytime, click on the associated website below to view current qualifications.

Alabama

To become a registered interior designer in Alabama, you must complete the educational and work experience requirements and pass the NCIDQ. The minimum education requirement is an associate degree in interior design plus 3-4 years of work experience.

Applicants must also submit registration and complete 10 hours of continuing education per year.

Alaska

Alaska has no education or licensure requirements for interior designers.

Arizona

Arizona has no education or licensure requirements for interior designers.

Arkansas

To qualify as a registered interior designer in Arkansas, you must complete a CIDA degree program or equivalent and meet the minimum work experience. You must pass the NCIDQ exam. Registered interior designers must complete six hours of continuing education per year.

California 

To become a certified interior designer in California, you must complete the required educational and minimum work experience hours plus pass California’s IDEX exam. California requires 10 hours of continuing education every two years.

Colorado

While Colorado doesn’t list specific education requirements to become a licensed interior designer, they require passing the NCIDQ, which comes with its own education and work experience guidelines.

Connecticut

The requirements to become a registered interior designer in Connecticut include passing the NCIDQ or other exams of equal or greater value. Registrants must complete four continuing education hours every three years.

Delaware

There are no specific licensing regulations for interior designers in Delaware.

Florida

To become a registered interior designer in Florida, you must pass the NCIDQ and submit proof of passing on your application. You must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years, which includes 14 hours in health, safety, and welfare, 2 hours in Florida building codes, and 2 hours in specialized topics.

Georgia

To become a registered interior designer in Georgia, you must complete the minimum education and experience requirements and pass the NCIDQ. You must renew your license every two years, completing 12 hours of continuing education.

Hawaii

Hawaii doesn’t have licensure requirements to work as an interior designer.

Idaho

There are no specific education or licensure requirements to work as an interior designer in Idaho.

Illinois

To become a registered interior designer in Illinois, you must complete the minimum education and work experience requirements. In addition, you must pass all parts of the NCIDQ exam. There are no continuing education requirements for interior designers in Illinois.

Indiana

To become a registered interior designer in Indiana, you must complete the NCIDQ or have an active Indiana architect license number. You must renew your license biannually and complete 12 hours of continuing education.

Iowa

To become a registered interior designer in Iowa, you must have a minimum of two years of college with a combined college and work experience of six years. You must also pass the NCIDQ exam. In addition, you must complete ten hours of continuing education every two years.

Kansas

There are no specific licensure requirements to work as an interior designer in Kansas.

Kentucky

To become a certified interior designer in Kentucky, you must complete a postsecondary degree, obtain the required experience, and pass either the NCIDQ or NCARB exam. You must renew your certificate and complete 12 personal development units each year.

Louisiana

To become a registered interior designer in Louisiana, you must complete the minimum education and experience requirements and pass the NCIDQ. You must renew your registration annually and complete five continuing education hours in health, safety, and welfare.

Maine

To become a certified interior designer in Maine, you must meet the minimum education and experience hours plus pass the NCIDQ. While you must renew your certification annually, no continuing education requirements exist.

Maryland

To become a certified interior designer in Maryland, you must meet minimum education and work experience hours and pass the NCIDQ or an equivalent exam. You must complete a renewal and ten hours of continuing education every two years. One of the continuing education hours must be focused on sustainable design.

Massachusetts

There are no registration or licensure requirements for interior designers in Massachusetts.

Michigan

There are no registration or licensure requirements for interior designers in Michigan.

Minnesota

To become a certified interior designer in Minnesota, you must complete a CIDA-approved (or equivalent) bachelor’s program in interior design. You must also have qualifying work experience and pass the NCIDQ. The renewal period is every two years, and you must complete 24 hours of professional development, with two hours focused on professional ethics.

Mississippi

To become a certified interior designer in Mississippi, you must have a four-year degree in interior design and pass the IDQE or have ten years of work experience and pass the IDQE. You must complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years on health, safety, and welfare topics.

Missouri

To become a registered interior designer in Missouri, you must complete the education and experience requirements and pass the NCIDQ. You must complete 1 unit of approved continuing education, equal to ten contact hours, every two years.

Montana

There are no licensure or registration requirements to work as an interior designer in Montana.

Nebraska

There are no licensure or registration requirements to work as an interior designer in Nebraska.

Nevada

To become a registered interior designer in Nevada, you must have completed an interior design program accredited by the CIDA or an equivalent or received a degree from an architectural program accredited by the NAAB. You also need two years of experience and have passed the NCIDQ exam. After your registration, you must complete eight continuing education units in health, safety, and welfare each year.

New Hampshire

There are no registration or licensure requirements to work as an interior designer in New Hampshire.

New Jersey

To become a certified interior designer in New Jersey, you must complete a CIDA-accredited design program or equivalent. You must also have the necessary experience hours and pass the NCIDQ. You must renew your certification every two years and complete 12 continuing education hours. Six of those 12 hours must focus on health, safety, and welfare.

New Mexico

To apply to be a licensed interior designer in New Mexico, you must complete the minimum education and experience requirements, pass the NCIDQ, and supply three letters of reference. Once certified, you must complete eight hours of approved continuing education each year.

New York

To become a certified interior designer in New York, you must complete a 2-5 year approved program in interior design and have at least two years of interior design work experience. You must also pass all three sections of the NCIDQ exam.

North Carolina

You can become a registered interior designer in North Carolina after completing and passing the NCIDQ exam.

North Dakota

There are no registration or licensure requirements to work as an interior designer in North Dakota.

Ohio

There are no registration or licensure requirements to work as an interior designer in Ohio.

Oklahoma

To become a registered commercial interior designer in Oklahoma, you must obtain an interior design degree from a CIDA-accredited university, have two years of acceptable training credits, and pass the NCIDQ exam. You must complete 24 hours of continuing education in health, safety, and welfare every two years.

Oregon

There are no registration or licensure requirements to work as an interior designer in Oregon.

Pennsylvania

There are no registration or licensure requirements to become an interior designer in Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island doesn’t require licensure or registration to work as an interior designer.

South Carolina

There are no registration or licensure requirements to work as an interior designer in South Carolina.

South Dakota

South Dakota doesn’t require registration or licensing to work as an interior designer.

Tennessee

To become a registered interior designer in Tennessee, you must complete a degree in design from a university or college accredited by CIDA and meet minimum experience hours. You must also pass the NCIDQ examination. The first registration renewal requires 12 professional development hours per two years. Renewals after the first two years require 24 professional development hours per two years.

Texas

To become a registered interior designer in Texas, you must pass the NCIDQ exam. You must complete 12 continuing education hours per year to renew your license.

Utah

To become a state-certified commercial interior designer in Utah, you must pass the NCIDQ exam. You must renew your license every two-year period, on odd years, completing at least 20 hours of continuing education.

Vermont

Vermont doesn’t require registration or licensure to work as an interior designer.

Virginia

To become a certified interior designer in Virginia, you must hold at least a four-year degree in interior design from CIDA accredited school and have at least two-year work experience. In addition, you must pass the NCIDQ examination. You must renew your license every two years, completing 16 hours of continuing education.

Washington

There are no licensure or registration requirements to work as an interior designer in the state of Washington.

West Virginia

West Virginia doesn’t require interior designers to register or apply for a license.

Wisconsin

To become a registered interior designer in Wisconsin, you must complete an interior design or architecture program and meet minimum work experience requirements. You must renew your license on even years, completing 9 hours of approved continuing education.

Wyoming

There are no licensure or registration requirements to become an interior designer in Wyoming.