DLLR's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing

• File an initial application for certification via NCIDQ exam
• Apply for your certificate by reciprocity
• Apply for your original Interior Designer certificate
• View all online forms

Categories

There is one category of certification:

Certified Interior Designer
Certification may be obtained by

• Applying for Original Maryland Certification
• Reciprocity, with current certification from another state

Fees

Certificate Period
The term of certification is two years from the date of issuance.

CERTIFICATION VIA NCIDQ EXAM

Qualifications for Certification
To qualify for a certificate, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.

1. The applicant shall be of good character and reputation.
2. The applicant shall be at least 18 years old.
3. The applicant shall:
   1. file an application and pay an application fee
   2. have satisfied education and experience requirements necessary to qualify for the National Council of Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ), or its equivalent, as determined by the Board; and
   3. have passed the National Council of Interior Design Qualification Examination, or its equivalent.

Application Process

• Contact the Board's office to ascertain needed qualifications and to obtain an application at interiordesign@dllr.state.md.us or 410-230-6259
  OR
• Pay the application fee online
• Contact NCIDQ and request that a verification of passing the exam be sent to the Board. 
• The application, will be reviewed by the Board. If approved you will receive instructions on how to apply for your original certification.

RECIPROCAL CERTIFICATE

Requirements for Reciprocity
The Board may waive any examination requirement of this subtitle for an individual who is licensed or certified as an interior designer in another state. The Board may grant a waiver under this section only if the applicant:

1. pays the application fee set by the Board under § 8-303 of this subtitle; and
2. provides adequate evidence that the applicant:
1. meets the qualifications otherwise required by this subtitle; and
2. became licensed or certified in the other state after meeting qualifications that are substantially equivalent to those required for a certificate in this State (see above).

The Board may grant a waiver under this section only if the state in which the applicant is licensed or certified waives the examination of certified interior designers of this State to a similar extent as this State waives the examination requirements for individuals licensed or certified in that state.

Application Process

• To apply for certification by reciprocity, an applicant may contact the Board's office for an application at interiordesign@dllr.state.md.us or 410-230-6259
   
  OR
   
  
• Pay the reciprocal application fee online
• Contact the Board where you are currently licensed or certified and request that a verification be sent to the Maryland Board.
• If applicable, have an official transcript send directly from your college or university to the Board.
• The application will be reviewed by the Board. If approved, you will receive instructions on how to apply for your reciprocal certification.

Fees

Return to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing home page

Questions or comments regarding the Board of Certified Interior Designers may be directed to interiordesign@dllr.state.md.us.
Questions or comments regarding the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing may be directed to op@dllr.state.md.us.
Questions or comments regarding the DLLR website may be directed to webmaster@dllr.state.md.us.