Credentials are important to anyone trying to find interior designers. An interior designer’s education, member associations and certifications determine, in part, how qualified he is for your project. Interior designer portfolios will provide you with examples of their work, while contacting references will help to determine how each designer will approach your project.

Interior Designer Requirements

Interior design credentials should include postsecondary education. Designers may have completed interior design degrees at the associate or bachelor’s level. Upon graduation, the average interior designer will complete a one-to three-year apprenticeship program.

Interior designer requirements may include state licenses, although not all states require designers be licensed. The highest level of interior design licensing is offered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). The NCIDQ tests interior designers in six areas, which include:

• Contract administration
• Contract documents
• Design development
• Programming
• Project organization
• Schematics.

To qualify for NCIDQ testing, interior designers must have six years of combined education and experience, of which at least two years are formal interior design education. Passing the NCIDQ examination provides an interior designer with what is essentially a nationwide license.

In addition to the NCIDQ, a number of other organizations offer interior decorator certifications, including the following:

• American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers Examination
• Certified Bath Designer Examination
• Certified Kitchen Designer Examination
• Council for Qualification of Residential Interior Designers Examination.

Interior Designer Portfolios

Reviewing an interior designer portfolio is your best chance to evaluate each designer’s work. Bear in mind that the work showcased in an interior designer portfolio is tailored to other clients, who may have different tastes and needs than yours. When you look at the portfolio, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do different photos in the portfolio give you an idea of the client’s needs and personality?
• Does the portfolio show multiple styles that prove the designer’s versatility?
• What elements in the portfolio do you like? What don’t you like?

The look you want for your design project may not be in the interior designer portfolio. This doesn’t mean that the designer can’t create the look you want. Look for creativity and quality in the portfolio, as proof of the designer’s abilities.

Interior Designer References

Interior designer credentials prove a designer has the education and experience necessary to do the job. An interior designer portfolio proves the designer’s talent and abilities. Checking references, however, is the best way to prove how well a designer works with her clients.

References are important interior designer requirements, so take the time to call each reference. You’ll want to ask the designer’s previous clients how easy the designer was to work with, if there were any problems with the project, and if so, how were problems resolved. An interior design project should be fun, so you’ll want to be sure that a designer can communicate well, is open to the client’s needs, and is willing to include the client in decision making.