| NCIDQ's Mission |
To protect the health, life safety and welfare of the public by establishing standards of competence in the practice of interior design. |
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| Greetings,
Welcome to our November edition of the QLetter. Thank you for continuing to support NCIDQ and its mission of public protection.
We have some important information for you. Read on to learn more about our latest news and updates, including a new section of our newsletter: Fact or Fiction? Debunking common myths.
We hope you enjoy. |
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NCIDQ News
NCIDQ Releases New 2009 Testing Locations
As you know, NCIDQ provides testing locations all over the United States and Canada for candidates taking the NCIDQ Examination. In an effort to accomodate the growing number of candidates, we have made some changes and additions to our testing locations for 2009.
The following changes will be implemented in 2009:
- NCIDQ is increasing locations in south Florida. In 2008, we
offered testing in the Fort Lauderdale
area only. In 2009, testing will be available in Fort
Lauderdale in the fall, and Miami and West Palm Beach in the
spring.
- Testing will increase in Overland Park, Kansas
from once a year to twice a year.
- The Augusta, Maine testing location will be moved to Portland, Maine
to accommodate more candidates.
- NCIDQ will add a site in Cincinnati,
Ohio each fall and in Jackson, Mississippi
each spring.
- The Memphis, Tennessee site will now be available only in the fall due
to nearby sites in Little Rock, Arkansas and Jackson,
Mississippi in the spring.
The next NCIDQ Exam will be offered April 3-4, 2009. The testing locations
for the spring 2009 exam are now listed on our Web site by city and state. View the locations here. The application
deadline for the spring 2009 exam is December 10, 2008. For information on
upcoming application and registration deadlines, see the Exam Dates & Deadlines
Schedule or visit www.ncidq.org.
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
NCIDQ convenes its Annual Council of Delegates Meeting this month to review the past year's events and look ahead to what's to come in 2009. NCIDQ is made up of member regulatory boards from the United States and Canada and holds an annual meeting to come together and collaborate on the direction of NCIDQ, as well as to elect our Board of Directors.
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NCIDQ Mourns the Passing of one of its own
NCIDQ's first public member to the Board of Directors, Roy Bennett Johnson, who served from 2000-2002, passed away suddenly on August 26, 2008.
Roy was passionate about increasing the credibility of professional
interior designers, particularly in working with the other design
disciplines to enhance our image. His passion for enhancing the NCIDQ image to the public will forever carry on to future public members who hold the position.
In the late 1990s NCIDQ recognized that one way it could enhance its role as the entity charged with protecting the public's health, safety and welfare would be to add a member of the public to its Board of Directors. We were pleased to have Roy step up to the challenge of such a new position. Since that time, the public member has served to remind the Board that NCIDQ's only mission is the public's protection. By including a person who is not an interior designer or in the design profession, we constantly keep the needs of those that interior designers effect in the forefront of our activities.
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Fact or Fiction?
Debunking common myths
 
We want to ensure that interior designers have the truth about NCIDQ and its programs, especially when misinformation can affect so many people in the industry. Therefore, we are introducing this new segment to the monthly QLetter. Watch for future topics in future QLetters!
November's Myth: The NCIDQ Examination is too difficult to pass
Many people believe that the NCIDQ Examination is difficult to pass. As you already know, it takes preparation and focus, but it is not an impossible task. We often hear how low our pass rates are. However, as you can see, the pass rates on the recent April 2008 exam were much higher than many believe:
April 2008 Pass Rates:
Section I (Principles and Practices of Interior Design): 75%
Section II (Contract Documents and Administration): 69%
Section III (Schematics and Design Development): 80%
The Examination is not a difficult barrier to entry into the profession for those who are practicing in the profession. The exam is practice-based, and all questions are relevant to the health, safety and welfare of the public as it relates to the practice of interior design. All test questions are written by interior design practitioners who write from what they know - the day-to-day practice of interior design. This is also why NCIDQ requires work experience upon completion of interior design education.
The test's content is derived from a thorough study of the profession to determine what actual knowledge, skills and abilities interior designers need in order to do their jobs in a manner that protects the public. The current test is based on a study completed in 2003. We are currently finalizing a new study, known as the Practice Analysis. The results of the 2008 study will likely affect the test content in the future, but it is too early to say how the test may change.
These Practice Analysis studies are conducted in a scientific manner to determine the exact content of the test. NCIDQ follows the standards that are in place for credentialing exams throughout the United States and Canada in the conduct of this study and in the development of each of our tests. We take our charge - to protect the public - very seriously. We will always follow the best practices in the testing and credentialing professions to make sure that the people who hold the NCIDQ Certificate have gone through a fair, valid and reliable process.
Have a common NCIDQ myth you'd like dispelled? E-mail us at news@ncidq.org! |
NCIDQ Monographs Offer Convenient CEs
NCIDQ's monograph series is an affordable and convenient way to earn continuing education credits for state boards, provincial associations or organization membership requirements. You simply read the book when it's convenient for you and take the quiz afterward. There's no need to travel or be away from the office! Return the quiz to NCIDQ for credit. All NCIDQ monographs have been approved by IDCEC and are worth .6 CEUs (6 hours).
If you are an IIDA Professional or Associate member, you are required to complete and report 1.0 CEU (10 hours) of continuing education prior to December 31, 2009.
NCIDQ has monographs on the following topics:
- Ethical Decision-Making for Designers
- Structures in Interior Design
- Creating Sustainable Interiors
- Culturally Sensitive Design for Long-Term Care Facilities
- ADA Guidelines
To order any monographs, you can purchase them online here.
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QLetter back issues are always available on our Web site.
Sincerely,
NCIDQ
Copyright 2008 National Council for Interior Design Qualification, Inc.
For permission to reprint items from this newsletter, contact us!
NCIDQ and the NCIDQ logo are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Phone: 202-721-0220
Fax: 202-721-0221
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