Education Q&A

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Welcome to this exciting field, and congratulations on pursuing your passion.


At DSA, RIDE, and RIDQC, we believe in making education inclusive and affordable, catering to students facing situations similar to yours. We understand that the plethora of options before you can be overwhelming initially, but we are here to assist you in making informed choices.

The first crucial decision is determining whether your passion aligns with residential or commercial design, as these paths diverge significantly.

For residential interior design, our partner institutions offer comprehensive base knowledge to practice and successfully operate a residential interior design business, such as the RIDE course. You will gain the skills to design homes and condominiums, collaborating with licensed trades for permitted work, including electricians, contractors, architects, and structural engineers. After completing your studies, you can further enhance your professional credentials by undertaking the RIDQC exam.  Taking the RIDQC is recognized as a Residential Interior Design Qualifying Certification. Certification proves that you are willing to go the distance and seek Residential Interior Design as a profession.


Regardless of your chosen path, we would be thrilled to welcome you into the DSA community. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to let us know.


Please see commonly asked questions below.


1. Upon completion of the certification program and the passing of the final exam, will I immediately become eligible to apply to interior design firms and other companies as a Residential Interior Designer, or does this certification only grant me entry-level positions like Assistant or Junior Interior Designer? 
  • All students can apply for an internship or entry-level position. However, there are no guarantees, regardless of education.
  • Most students take an additional course dedicated to AutoCAD since that is typically required for an entry-level position.
  • Most students in the course are interested in starting their own business or are currently working for a firm and seeking credentials.  
    • If your passion lies in running a business for yourself, we have an excellent resource for reference. We have witnessed students launch their own businesses and achieve immediate success. The DSA 'Jumpstart Your Business Checklist' provides all of the action steps needed. You can find it HERE.  

2. What is the difference between taking and passing the RIDQC exam versus the NCIDQ exam? 

  • In order to register for the NCIDQ, you would need to attend a CIDA-approved school, complete 4 to 6 years of intensive coursework, and pass the NCIDQ exam, a 1-to-2-year process.
    • What is regulated is the use of specific titles in individual states. The terms "licensed," "registered," or "certified" - Interior designers are held in some states. You may only pull plans or practice commercial design in some states by taking the NCIDQ.
  • Upon completing the course, you will be qualified to test for the Residential Interior Design Qualification Certification (RIDQC).
    • The RIDQC is part of the path to the state exam in California. (Not using the NCIDQ as a test.)
    • This is not the NCIDQ nor qualifies as credits towards the NCIDQ.
    • We are a "Residential" Interior Design Certification. You must hire architects and contractors to pull plans and make structural changes. 
  • More below to help clarify:
    • Suppose you want to pull permits, create electrical plans, and make structural changes without an architect or contractor. In that case, consider your state contracting license course and exam. 
    • The RIDQC is focused only on residential interior design. This exam only allows structural changes with contractors and or architects. Licensed contractors must be hired to pull permits. 
    • Moving forward as a professional, credentials will provide that extra layer of professionalism. You will also be listed on the DSA site for Residential Interior Design and allowed to use the RIDQC and the DSA logos. (You may state that you are a Residential Interior Designer/ certified with RIDQC; you may also use the logo for RIDQC after passing the exam).  If your program is less than four years, you will want to have associated credentials. Regardless of your state, it would help if you always listed your credentials. 

3. Am I able to practice as a Residential Interior Designer in the state of Florida per Florida’s laws with the completion of a RIDE program and passing of the final exam?
  • Yes, but you must hire licensed professionals to perform any work that requires a permit. This is true in all states and a good practice to protect the public's safety.

4. I reviewed the syllabus that FIU presents on their website, but I was also wondering if during the program, will I be getting exposed to the different softwares that interior designers typically use like AutoCAD or SketchUp, or is that something that will be required to be learned on our own? 

  • No, we suggest taking a course focused on AutoCAD or SketchUp after completing the course. It is not possible to provide quality education in such a short period and include the technical education required for these programs. During the course, you will focus on 2D, which is the basic knowledge necessary for performing interior design services. Spatial planning is the first and most fundamental step.
  • We also provide access to a 2D, 3D, and rendering program through our DSA Student Membership, which is beginner-friendly and a wonderful resource for those starting their own studio. You can find more information HERE to see if it may be a good fit for your goals.

5. What are ways in which this program will set me up for success in the interior design industry?
  • You will receive the fundamental building blocks upon which to build. Interior design is a field that constantly evolves, with that being said you are a student for life. Products change and so does technology. The fundamental principles do not. You will recognize your weaknesses during the course and should seek to improve them through books and additional courses if necessary. Some students require more focus on color theory, while others focus on space planning. Some seek to understand the process and work with clients during the course.
  • Is there a reason that you feel you are a fit for this career? Please read this interview with Dr. Daniella Ohad; I find it enlightening.