Education · 1 of 5
The path
A degree, two years of supervised work, then a qualifying exam and registration.
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High school
Grades 11 and 12
Visual arts, technological design and math. Build a portfolio; most programs ask for one.
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Degree
4 years
A 4-year interior design degree accredited by CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation). Ontario has eight, British Columbia three, and Alberta and New Brunswick one each.
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Supervised work
2 years
3,520 hours, about 2 years of full-time work, under a registered interior designer or architect, logged in set categories. This is a normal paid job.
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The qualifying exam
1 to 2 years
The NCIDQ (the North American interior design exam) has three sections: fundamentals, professional practice and implementation (the old practicum), where you solve code and space-planning problems on screen. Ontario also accepts its own RIDA (Registered Interior Designer Assessment).
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Registration
After the exam
Join ARIDO (Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario) or your provincial association. Now you can use the registered title.