NCIDQ Exam Prep By ASID

ACHIEVE PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNER CERTIFICATION

PREPARE FOR THE 2026 NCIDQ EXAM UPDATES WITH ASID’S ENHANCED PROGRAM

GAIN THE CONFIDENCE, TOOLS, AND SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION SUCCESS

The NCIDQ Exam Prep by ASID program is open to all, with special discounts for current ASID members. Winter and Summer course cycles offered. Limited spots are available!

NEW FOR 2026

ASID is leading the way with a custom course incorporating the new 2026 Exam Blueprints! All course content is relevant and applicable to the new Spring 2026 Interior Design Fundamentals, Professional, and Implementation Exams (IDFX, IDPX, IDIX).

ASID Member Price: $429 | Regular Price: $499

Fee includes all required materials, six months of access to Design Learning by ASID content and webinars, plus placement in an interactive study group.

 

HOW NCIDQ EXAM PREP BY ASID WORKS

STEP 1: Register for the program. (Registration is not yet live for Winter 2025 – 2026)

STEP 2: Order your course materials from ASID’s Amazon Bookshelf. Materials included in course price – no additional purchase necessary. You will receive an email from Amazon with instructions within seven (7) business days of registration.

STEP 3: Begin working in the Introductory Module. Instructions are provided for each module in the course.

STEP 4: Sign up for a study group and meet your study coach and peer study group. You will be supporting each other during the program, right up to exam time.

STEP 5: Plan to attend the live webinars scheduled to review exam content. Be sure to complete your pre-webinar assignment before each live engagement!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

PRICING AND LOGISTICS  

  1. Are the cost of course materials or textbooks included in the course price?
    Yes. Starting in Winter 2026, your paid course registration includes ALL your required course materials. Within 7 business days of registration, you will receive an email from ASID’s Amazon Bookshelf. This email will contain a link to the site and a special voucher code to use.

  1. Why did the price increase for the program?
    The registration fee is now inclusive of all the required course materials. Although the registration fee was lower in the past, students spent an additional $600+ in order to purchase the required textbooks.  

  2. I already own one of the required textbooks. Can I get a discount on the registration fee?
    No discounts are available. You will be able to apply your ASID Amazon Bookshelf voucher to a selection of optional, recommended books in addition to the required texts.

  3. I am based outside the United States. Will I be able to fully participate in the program? 
    The course is fully online and accessible internationally. All on-demand materials are available 24/7, and live webinars are recorded for later viewing. However, please note that all live sessions, including webinars and study groups, are scheduled based on U.S. Eastern Time and may be more difficult to attend live if you are in an international time zone. You will get the most out of the course if you are able to attend webinars and study group sessions live.   

    Also be aware that participants receive a voucher from Amazon Bookshelf to cover the cost of the required materials in U.S. dollars. There may be additional charges when converting into another currency. The voucher will cover the cost of paperback/hardcover books, and students are responsible for any shipping charges, including international. Purchasing in ebook format (if available) may also result in additional charges.

PROGRAM FORMAT AND TIMING  

  1. What is the format for completing the coursework? Are there any live components?  
    The course includes both on-demand (asynchronous) and live (synchronous) components. Many of the assignments are on-demand and self-paced with deadlines, but there are also live webinars for each exam section and study group sessions that provide real-time interaction with instructors, Study Coaches, and peers.

  2. What is the time commitment to participate in the program?

  • Live webinars and study group meetings: In addition to a course orientation webinar, plan to attend four (4) live webinars covering NCIDQ exam content. The webinars are 1.5 hours long. Study coaches set their own schedules for the small group sessions; they are typically held weekly for 1 – 2 hours over 7 – 8 weeks. 

  • On-demand course content: You can expect to spend up to 1.5 – 2 hours completing the on-demand content available in the Introductory Module, Getting Started.

  • Independent study time: It is estimated that you should plan 5 – 10 hours per week studying for the NCIDQ Exam leading up to your exam date. Prepare to complete pre-webinar assignments ahead of each webinar, including reading and practice questions. Allow 1 – 2 weeks to study and complete the pre-webinar assignment, in addition to 1 – 2 weeks post-webinar to thoroughly review content and complete the independent work assigned by your study coach. 

  1. If I’m unable to attend one of the live webinars, will I have access to a recording?
    Although the webinars are recorded, participants are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled live webinars and study group sessions to ensure their questions and needs are addressed in real time. Study coaches may record their meetings upon request.

EXAM CONTENT COVERAGE

  1. How is ASID's NCIDQ Exam Prep Course addressing the New CIDQ Exam Changes beginning in 2026?
    The ASID NCIDQ Exam Prep Course has been updated to reflect the new 2026 CIDQ exam format and content areas. The curriculum now aligns with the revised structure for IDFX, IDPX, and the new IDIX section, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the updated exam requirements.
     
  2. How is exam content covered?
    The course work is structured around the content topics to prepare you for each section of the exam: IDFX (Fundamentals), IDPX (Professional Practice), and IDIX (Implementation). Each course module covers concepts, skills, and content applicable to all exam sections, with independent assignments, a live webinar, and follow-up activities with your study group. 
     
  3. I only plan to take one section of the exam during the upcoming testing period. Would it still be helpful for me to take this exam prep program?
    Yes. The course is designed to support participants preparing for any combination of NCIDQ Exam sections. Even if you are sitting for only one exam section this cycle, you should plan to complete the full course. Our updated structure includes four instructional modules that each integrate concepts, skills, and exam content relevant across all three NCIDQ exam blueprints (IDFX, IDPX, IDIX), so you’ll benefit from every part of the program.

    While you can focus more heavily on the module(s) most aligned with your upcoming exam, we highly recommend attending all live webinars and study sessions to get the full value of expert guidance, study tools, and peer support. Foundational design concepts and test-taking strategies reinforce success across all sections.

Visit the Design Learning by ASID FAQs for more information.