Kitchen and Bath Certifications for Interior Designers
by Dawn Westdawn.west@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review columnist
Kitchens and bathrooms are the bread and butter of many interior designers' careers. Not only are they high-use spaces, they also have significant impact on a home's value. Interior designers with the skill and experience needed to transform ho-hum kitchens and baths into masterpieces are in high demand. If you want to show you're just such a designer, a design certification can work wonders.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association offers kitchen and bath designer certifications on a variety of levels. Here's the lowdown on the interior design courses and experience you need to qualify.
Interior Design Courses and the Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer Designation
The Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer (AKBD) designation requires two years of experience as an interior designer, at least one of which is focused on kitchen and bath design. In most states, you have to earn an interior design license before you can get that kind of experience, which usually requires a formal interior design degree. So if you're just starting out, the first step is to take interior design courses and get that degree. Some design schools even offer specialized kitchen and bath design programs. As an interior design school grad, you can then start working toward becoming an AKBD.The Certified Kitchen/Bathroom Designer Designation: Rising Interior Designers
The Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and the Certified Bathroom Designer (CBD) designations are for kitchen and bath-focused interior designers with at least seven years of total experience, up to four of which can be formal education. In addition, aspiring CKDs or CBDs must pass National Kitchen and Bath Association exams and undertake at least 60 hours of professional development interior design courses affiliated with the NKBA.Interior Designers at the Top of Their Game: Certified Master Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
Certified Master Kitchen and Bathroom Designers (CMKBD) need ten years of experience and at least 100 hours of NKBA professional development. This final designation can only be acquired by interior designers who already hold the CKB and CBD designations.If you want in on the hot kitchen and bathroom design markets, interior designer designations like the ones offered by the National Kitchen and Bath Association can help you on your way.
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About the Author
Dawn West teaches writing at Oregon State University. She holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University.
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