2.3 Fees, Schedule & Logistics

The Full Cost Picture

The NCIDQ is a multi-fee credential. Budget for the application fee, per-section exam fees, and potential reschedule or cancellation costs. All payments are by credit card only.

Plan for the full Route 1 total of approximately $1,375 if you are attempting all three sections in one eligibility period. If you fail a section, you must pay the exam fee again to retake it.

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Schedule: Two Windows Per Year

The NCIDQ is not offered on demand. CIDQ runs exactly two administration windows annually, and each section is offered in both windows.

Preliminary results were paused for Spring 2026 and resume Fall 2026. Plan accordingly — you will not know your pass/fail status immediately after the exam. Official score reports post to your MyNCIDQ account approximately 6-8 weeks after the administration window closes and include a performance breakdown by content area.

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Delivery: Prometric Test Center or Remote Proctoring

Exams are delivered through Prometric. You choose between:

• Prometric test centers — in-person, proctored, at a physical location
• Prometric ProProctor — remote online proctoring from your home or office

Your appointment time equals the exam time plus a 30-minute check-in. For IDIX (4-hour exam), your total appointment is 4 hours 30 minutes. For IDFX and IDPX (3-hour exams), your total appointment is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Eight Exam-Day Rules

CIDQ's Exam Day Rules document specifies eight policies every candidate must follow:

1. ID required — valid government-issued photo ID
2. Names must match — the name on your appointment must match your ID exactly
3. Verify your appointment — confirm date, time, and delivery method before exam day
4. Arrive 30 minutes early — for check-in and security
5. Bio-break policy — breaks are monitored; check the current policy for your section
6. Testing-concern reporting — raise issues with the proctor during the session, not after
7. Reschedule policy — $30/exam if 5-30 days before; forfeit if fewer than 5 days
8. Cancellation policy — $100/exam per CIDQ rules

If you test remotely via ProProctor, ensure your workspace is clear, your internet is stable, and your environment meets Prometric's technical requirements before launch day. Technical failures during a remote session can result in a forfeited fee.

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Renewal and Maintenance

Once certified, you must maintain your NCIDQ Certificate:

• Annual renewal: $85
• Reinstatement (if lapsed): $170
• Replacement certificate: $35
• Continuing education: if your state or province regulates interior design, meet its CE requirements; if unregulated, complete 5 hours of HSW (health, safety, and welfare) CE annually
• Appellation agreement: you may use the NCIDQ appellation only while your certificate is active; CIDQ conducts random audits to verify CE compliance

Budget renewal costs as part of your long-term professional expenses. Lapsed certification requires reinstatement at $170 — more than double the annual renewal — so renew on time.

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Remote Proctoring Setup Checklist

If you choose Prometric ProProctor for remote testing, prepare your environment in advance:

1. Room requirements — a private, enclosed room with a door that closes; no other people present; no prohibited materials (books, notes, phones) within reach
2. Desk and camera — a clean desk surface; your webcam must show the proctor a 360-degree view of the room at check-in
3. Technical requirements — a reliable wired or wireless internet connection (minimum speed per Prometric's current spec), a supported operating system, and the ProProctor application installed and tested before exam day
4. ID verification — your government-issued photo ID must be readable by the webcam; the name must match your CIDQ registration exactly
5. Power and backups — ensure your laptop is plugged in; have a backup plan if your internet drops (Prometric's policy on reconnects varies, so check the current terms)

Remote proctoring offers convenience but carries technical risk. If your environment does not meet requirements, you may be denied entry and forfeit your exam fee. Test your setup at least one week before your appointment using Prometric's system check tool.

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Retake Planning

If you fail a section, you must pay the full exam fee again to retake it ($305 for IDFX, $470 for IDIX, $365 for IDPX) during the next administration window. You cannot retake a section in the same window you sat for it. Use the 6-8 week score-report wait period to restudy your weak domains — the diagnostic breakdown in your score report shows which content areas need the most attention.

Keep in mind the eligibility window limits: Route 1 candidates must pass all three sections within 10 exam administrations (about five years). If the window closes, your application and any passed sections are voided, and you must reapply and repay all fees. This makes consistent study and strategic scheduling essential — do not leave multiple sections to the final window of your eligibility period.