contributed by The NCIDQ Crew

Last month we introduced you to IDEP, NCIDQ's Interior Design Experience Program. For those looking to sit for the NCIDQ Exam, we covered what IDEP is, how it helps candidates prepare, and how to get started. Now it’s time to educate practicing professionals by answering the following FAQs: Who is eligible to participate in the program? Who supervises each participant’s involvement? And, lastly, to even be eligible to take the NCIDQ Exam, is participation in IDEP mandatory? But here’s one last question: Who needs to read this article? Professionals and students alike, as it affects their new hires and futures, respectively.

Professionals, there's a good chance you supervise entry-level designers. Your employees are probably anxious to know if their work experience will count on their NCIDQ applications. As a supervisor, you need to educate yourself on these issues. Your employees – and NCIDQ – will thank you!

When does IDEP become mandatory?

IDEP participation is currently optional. Further, NCIDQ has no plans to require IDEP participation in the near future. However, some jurisdictions, including Ontario (Canada), do require IDEP participation.

What's the connection between IDEP and the exam eligibility requirement for supervised work experience?

IDEP and the supervised work experience requirement for the exam are NOT the same thing. As stated above, IDEP is not required by NCIDQ (though it may be by your jurisdiction). However, depending on when your employees begin working in the field, they may need to get supervised work experience.

The BEST way for your employees to get this experience is through IDEP. By working with a qualified supervisor and mentor and completing the IDEP requirements, they will automatically satisfy the supervised work experience requirement for the exam.



When does supervised work experience become mandatory for exam applicants?

Prospective exam candidates must complete approximately two (2) to four (4) years of interior design work experience (depending on their education level) before applying to take the exam. They must complete most of their education before they can begin to earn work experience toward NCIDQ's eligibility requirements.

Currently, NCIDQ recommends - but does not require - that this work experience be supervised by a qualified practitioner:

• an NCIDQ Certificate holder,

• a licensed or registered interior designer, or

• an architect who offers interior design services.
 

In 2008, this recommendation will become a requirement, but it will not affect all prospective exam applicants. Applicants who began to accumulate acceptable work experience in 2007 or earlier will be exempt from the supervised work experience requirement, regardless of when they complete their work experience.

Example 1: Jane McIntosh graduated with a bachelor's degree in interior design in December 2006. In January 2007, she took an entry-level position under the supervision of an NCIDQ Certificate holder. She plans to quit in January 2008 and open her own business. She will complete the required 3,520 hours of experience in late 2008 — with half of her experience earned on her own. When she applies to take the exam, NCIDQ will accept all of Jane's work experience, including her work as a sole practitioner, because she began to accumulate work experience in 2007. The supervised work experience requirement does not apply to Jane.

Example 2: John O'Brien will graduate with a bachelor's degree in interior design in June 2007. His grandparents have given him a round-the-world trip as a graduation present. Upon his return home in January 2008, he plans to begin working for an unlicensed practitioner in his hometown. (The practitioner is not an NCIDQ Certificate holder.) NCIDQ will NOT count John's work under the unlicensed practitioner toward the minimum number of hours he needs for exam eligibility. Because his first day of interior design work experience will take place in 2008, John must earn ALL of his required work experience hours under a qualified practitioner.



What about new graduates who may not be able to find a qualified supervisor?

NCIDQ is developing an alternate supervision policy for entry-level designers who cannot find a qualified supervisor in their area. These individuals will be required to arrange alternate supervision (meeting regularly in person, by phone or e-mail) with a qualified practitioner and submit a supplemental application and fee to NCIDQ. Program details and forms will be released in late 2007.

How can graduates find out what the eligibility requirements are to apply to take the exam?

Simple. Tell them to simply go here. To avoid any unpleasant surprises that will derail their future interior design careers, they should empower themselves with accurate information before they graduate.