NCIDQ certification crossed paths from being a good credential to have to a must have attribute to practice interior design in the state of Virginia. It became a big obstacle for professionals with decades of experience to take upon the challenge of the certification that comes up with new software, rules, levels on an annual basis. The time and price for the used to be simple credential went up sky high within 5 years and gets more and more complex and takes up to 2 years to pass.
I do not see the reason for Interior Architects to have a credential especially when most of the time Architects not Interior Designers sign and stamp the drawings for permits.
Tatiana Lipsky