The NCIDQ exam is more than a test—it’s an essential stepping stone in an interior designer’s career. NCIDQ certification is a badge of professionalism, illustrating a designer’s deep understanding of industry standards and practices, and certification can bring many benefits, including higher pay and better job opportunities.
NCIDQ certification is crucial for individuals and the collective design industry, too. In several states, certification is a prerequisite for interior designers to become licensed or registered—it’s a pivotal step in achieving wider recognition and independent practice rights for designers nationwide.
In short, getting certified is the key to your future, and the future of the profession.
Careful preparation is a must to ace the NCIDQ examination, which is no walk in the park. The exam includes three sections, each with its own unique characteristics and challenges.
IIDA is here to help you prepare—and propel you to the next level of your career.
In collaboration with Design Success Network, we’re offering a virtual NCIDQ test prep series that includes four sessions covering every part of the exam, along with general test-taking tips and study strategies.
Each session is a live, four-hour virtual teaching session, and provides exclusive access to Design Success Network’s resources and materials and a peer-to-peer study network. Register for one or for all—sessions are offered a la carte to allow you the flexibility to create an educational experience that fits your needs.
Meet the Instructors
Marcia Sweigert is a professional interior designer with 26 years of experience, specializing in residential, kitchen and bath, and small commercial projects. She is NCIDQ-certified, a WELL AP, CLIPP certified, and passionate about barrier-free design for aging and mobility-limited clients. Marcia has taught NCIDQ preparation courses through ASID, IIDA, and ID Conquer, successfully helping many designers pass their exams. As a business owner, she brings deep expertise in project management, construction documentation, and materials sourcing—and is eager to support candidates preparing for the FX, PX, or Practicum exams.
Prep Sessions and Dates
All sessions are capped at 50 participants
Pricing:
IIDA Members: $80 per session
Non-Members: $140 per session
Session 1 | Test-Taking Tips and Study Strategies
Saturday, August 15, 2026
2-6 p.m. Eastern/ 1-5 p.m. Central
Prepare for the new NCIDQ exam format with practical strategies that will boost your confidence for all three exams. Explore useful resources, build a study schedule, learn how to budget your time for each exam, develop skills for interpreting questions, review specific study techniques for neurodivergent test-takers, and more.
Session 2 | Fundamentals (IDFX)
Saturday, August 22, 2026
2-6 p.m. Eastern/ 1-5 p.m. Central
Explore every aspect of the Fundamentals portion of the NCIDQ exam. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the new IDFX exam and its updated content areas. We will cover difficult topics within programming, conceptual design, and schematic design phases with interactive practice questions in the new exam format.
Session 3 | Professional (IDPX)
Saturday, September 12, 2026
2-6 p.m. Eastern/ 1-5 p.m. Central
Dive deep into the new IDPX exam and revised content areas of construction administration and project management. This session emphasizes how to approach tough topics and new question types with confidence regardless of your CA or PM experience.
Session 4 | Implementation (IDIX)
Saturday, September 19, 2026
2-6 p.m. Eastern/ 1-5 p.m. Central
Carefully prepare to tackle the new IDIX exam with confidence. Learn how design development and construction documentation topics will be presented within the new exam format and different question types.