Seeking to become a certified interior designer (CID)?
Find below information on the education, examination, experience requirements, as well as application details and forms.
Already licensed or certified as an interior designer in another state?
See the sidebar "Certification by Comity (Reciprocal Certification)."
Licensed in Minnesota as an architect and seeking certification as an interior designer?
See the sidebar "Certified Interior Design Application for MN Licensed Architects."
For general application information relevant to all professions, see Get Licensed.
Certification as an interior designer in Minnesota is voluntary; however the use of the title "Certified Interior Designer” is restricted to those who have met the requirements in Minnesota statutes and rules.
In general, applicants for certification must hold a bachelor's degree in interior design from a program accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) or its equivalent. If CIDQ required an education evaluation to determine your eligibility to sit for the exam, as part of your application to the Board for your CID certificate, you must request that the education evaluator send a copy of the evaluation to the Board. See MN Rule 1800.2100 Subp. 2(A) for education details.
You must provide evidence that you meet the qualifying experience requirements. Experience must be diversified in the practice of interior design for public spaces and include the following knowledge areas: (1) project and construction management, which includes preproject management, project management, bidding, construction, and maintenance; (2) inventory and analysis, which includes site inventory, physical analysis, and contextual analysis; (3) design, which includes stakeholder process, master planning, and site design; and (4) grading, drainage, and construction documentation, which includes site preparation plans, general plans and details, specialty plans, and specifications.
Experience must be under the direct supervision of a certified interior designer, NCIDQ certificate holder, licensed architect, or (if earned prior to June 1, 2013) an interior designer.
Initial applicants will need two years of qualifying experience. Reciprocal/comity applicants should refer to MN Rule 1800.2100 Subp. 2(B) to determine the amount of qualifying experience they need.
Use the Experience Reference form, which is part of the CID Application packet, to report your experience. You must customize and send a copy to every supervisor verifying your experience. The completed form must be sent by the supervisor directly to the Board. An example of a completed Experience Reference form is in the "Additional Resources" section.
Applicants must pass all three sections of the National Council for Interior Design Qualifation Examination (NCIDQ). CIDQ requires applicants to have completed CIDQ's education and experience requirements prior to applying.
Apply directly to CIDQ to sit for the exam. CIDQ offers the NCIDQ in the spring and fall each year. See their website for more information on dates, deadlines and fees. Exam fees are set by and paid to CIDQ.
The application packet provides a wealth of information regarding the application process, including links to Minnesota rules and statutes and relevant associated websites (such as CIDQ). We encourage you to thoroughly review the instructions and the forms.
You may apply for certification at any time after you have completed the education, experience and examination requirements summarized aboved. Applications are reviewed no later than 60 days from the date the Board receives all required documentation to complete the application.
No fee is due at the time of application. If your application is approved, the Board will notify you by mail and request you submit the certification fee, which is $120.
Note: You are not certified and cannot use the title "Certified Interior Designer" until the Board processes your certification.
Regardless of when obtained, your certificate expires June 30th of every even-numbered year.
For more information on the sample document directly below, see the Experience Overview.
Certification by Comity (Reciprocity)Whether you already hold a license or certification in another jurisdiction or are an initial applicant for certification, the same Certified Interior Design Application is used. Read the instructions on that form and supply the information requested for those applying by "Reciprocity/ Comity."
Comity applications are reviewed based on the education, examination and experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota at the time of your original licensure. (For example: If you were originally certified or licensed in 1998, your credentials will be evaluated based on the education, examination and experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota in 1998). See MN Rule 1800.2100 for details.
The comity application fee is $75. If your application is approved, you will be instructed by mail how to apply for your license. The license fee is $120.
Note: You are not certified and cannot practice or hold out as "Certified Interior Designer" in Minnesota until the Board processes your certificate.
Regardless of when obtained, your certificate expires June 30th of every even-numbered year.
Architects already licensed in Minnesota may use the form below to request use of the title “Certified Interior Designer.” No additional education, experience, or examination is required (see MN Statute 326.02 Subd 4b(b).
Regardless of when obtained, your certificate expires June 30th of every even-numbered year.
