Should you choose a certifying program when training in interior design or interior decoration?

First, it’s useful to understand the difference between the profession of interior decorator and interior designer. For reference, you can find information about the difference between an interior decorator and an interior designer in our article: “What is the difference between an interior decorator and a designer” in our education section.

What we’ll cover

1. The definition of certification
2. Who can issue certification
3. The definition of a certificate
4. Who can issue a certificate
5. The usefulness of certification to become an interior decorator
6. The usefulness of certification to become a space designer
7. What Alna Design offers you

1. The definition of certification

• Validates professional competency in a specific field
• Usually requires significant study/experience (3 to 5 years in Interior Design)
• Often has ongoing requirements to maintain it
• Generally more expensive than a certificate
• Focuses on proving expertise
• Almost always requires passing rigorous exams
• May require continuing education credits
• Often governed by industry standards

2. Who can issue certification

Only specific types of organizations can issue legitimate certifications:

1. Industry-Recognized Bodies
2. Technology Companies
3. Government Agencies
4. Accredited Educational Institutions
5. International Standards Organizations

3. The definition of a certificate

• Shows completion of a learning program or course
• Usually shorter in duration (often 6 months to one year in interior design, even less in interior decorating)
• No ongoing requirements after completion
• Typically less expensive than a certification
• Focuses on knowledge acquisition
• Often doesn’t require passing a standardized exam
• Doesn’t expire

4. Who can issue a certificate

A certificate can be delivered by a much broader range of organizations:

1. Educational Institutions
2. Private Training Organizations
3. Online Learning Platforms
4. Companies and Businesses
5. Non-Profit Organizations
6. Individual Instructors/Experts

The main difference from certification is that:

• Less rigorous requirements to be an issuer
• No need for formal accreditation
• Focus on completion rather than competency validation
• Usually no standardized testing requirements

5. The usefulness of certification to become an interior decorator

You don’t need any certification to become an interior decorator. With just a certificate you can:

• Start working immediately
• Set up your own business
• Take on clients
• Call yourself an interior decorator
• Buy directly for your clients from professional brands.

We tested it. All tested brands only ask for a tax number or EIN number, meaning you need to have a business. So as soon as you are self-employed, you can start working with major brands. The same applies in France, for example.
Our advice: simply research before choosing your training, but you’ll quickly see that certification isn’t required.

6. The usefulness of certification to become an interior designer

To become an interior designer (unlike a decorator), you may need specific certifications and education, but this isn’t always the case contrary to what people think. For example, requirements vary by location: In the United States:

• Bachelor’s degree in interior design (typically 4 years)
• Some states accept associate degrees
• Licensing/Certification if you want to call yourself a certified interior designer.

The most common certification is NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification). The Requirements for NCIDQ are:

• Degree in interior design
• 2-4 years work experience
• Passing 3 separate exams

But State Requirements Vary:

• Some states require licensing while others require registration
• Some have no requirements
• States with strict requirements: California, Florida, New York. You can’t call yourself “Certified Interior Designer” but you can still work as an interior designer for Residential Projects.
• We also tested buying furnitures. All tested professional brands only ask for a tax number or a EIN number. Here too, we advise you to test before choosing your school.
• Important: regardless of the online training you choose, you won’t have the right to sign plans unless you’re certified. This means engaging in 3 to 5 years of study and then passing an accreditation like NCIDQ in the USA, for example.
• This greatly limits the choice of studies. But it’s not a problem and shouldn’t prevent you from becoming an interior designer if you wish. You just need to work in partnership with an architect when necessary regarding plan validation or have them validated by a licensed contractor. It’s up to you to verify this point carefully.

7. What does Alna Design offer you?

A certificate or certification? Alna design offers both:

• An Interior Decorator and Residential Space Planning Consultant Certificate
• And a Certification of Residential Interior Design Consultant.

This second certification is possible because Myriam Markiewicz, the director of Alna Design, maintained a certification partnership with the French design school she sold in 2023. You can therefore benefit from a certified European level 5 title, which is equivalent to an Associate level in the USA.

Whatever your choice, and beyond a certificate or certification since as we’ve seen, this won’t prevent you from working in most cases, you should primarily choose: A practice-focused training. Indeed, knowledge can be easily acquired from any good book for $50. Your training should therefore offer more than that. You should also have exercises to complete. This means being monitored so that your learning can be evaluated to help you understand your level. Finally, you should test some courses simply to see if the teaching method suits you. That’s why at Alna Design, we offer free courses. They allow you to see if the content suits you and if you wish to continue with us on our certifying program accompanied by our tutors.

Hoping this clarifies things for you. We wish you a wonderful professional journey from the entire Alna Design team!