NCIDQ Exam Prep Course by ASID - Winter 2026

NCIDQ Exam Prep Course by ASID - Winter 2026

Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 01/28/2026 at 4:30 PM (EST)

NEW - Updated to reflect the revised 2026 NCIDQ Exam Blueprints!


Description

The purpose of this course is to help prepare you for the NCIDQ Exam. We provide a quality exam preparation learning program with expertise from professionals who are knowledgeable about the exam structure, content, formatting, and studying methods that have led many others to successful outcomes. 

Disclaimer: This course on NCIDQ Exam Preparation is structured to provide guidance and support for those candidates studying for the NCIDQ Exam. ASID does not guarantee that registrants who complete this course will pass the NCIDQ Exam. The exam tests the registrants' competencies in interior design professional standards as structured by the Council on Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). This course is intended to help registrants review the exam content thoroughly, if the registrant actively participates in all formulated learning modules and completes all assigned independent work as outlined in the course.

Click on the Books & Materials tab for information on required textbooks (included in the course fee).


NCIDQ Exam Prep by ASID Course Timeline covers January-April 2026. January: Complete Intro Module & Course Orientation; February: Assignment & Webinar 1, Study Group Sessions; March: Assignments & Webinars 2-3, Study Group Sessions; Late March: Assignment & Webinar 4, Study Group Sessions; April: Spring NCIDQ Testing Window


There are four modules in addition to the Introductory Module:


NCIDQ Exam Prep by ASID Course Overview: Modules 1-4 each include Reading assignments, Pre-webinar practice questions, Live Webinar(s) and Study Group Sessions. Introduction- Getting Started includes Creating a Study Plan, Study Group Sign-up, Tips & Strategies, Course Orientation. Module 1: Accessibility, Occupancy & Construction Types; Module 2: Egress & Fire and Smoke Protection Systems; Module 3: Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical & Communication Requirements, Finish & Furniture; Module 4: Sustainability, Existing Buildings & Residences



NCIDQ Exam Prep by ASID Work Expectations: This course is instructionally designed to set you up for success if you fully participate in course assignments and active engage with instructors, study coaches, and peers. Independent Study: Plan to spend 5-10 hrs per week studying for the Exam leading up to your exam date; Live Webinars: Attend Live Webinars covering NCIDQ exam content (4 webinars, 1.5 hrs each); Pre- & Post-Webinar Assignments: Reserve 2-3 wks around each Live Webinar to complete assignments; Study Groups: Participate in interactive study group sessions with your study coach and peers.


What You Will Learn

Upon successful completion of this course, registrants will be able to:

  1. Discuss the processes, structure, and functions of the NCIDQ Exam. 
  2. Identify the content areas of each section of the NCIDQ Exam. 
  3. Discover the resources available as study tools and guides to prepare for the NCIDQ Exam (all sections). 
  4. Differentiate areas of knowledge strengths and weaknesses to emphasize/downplay specific areas of study in preparation for the exam(s). 
  5. Detect the types of question formats used in professional standardized testing environments and navigate them to viable answer(s). 
  6. Create a formidable study plan which maximizes time and effort to help lead to success. 

Access Period: Course materials will be available to all registrants until May 1, 2026

The textbooks listed below are REQUIRED for the course and are used extensively in the pre-webinar assignments and study group work.

Textbooks are included in the registration fee. You will order books through Amazon Bookshelf; instructions and a voucher code will be sent via email within seven (7) business days of registration.

image The Codes Guidebook for Interiors, 8th Edition; Katherine E. Kennon & Sharon K. Harmon; 2022, Wiley (ISBN: 978-1119720959) 

image Study Guide for The Codes Guidebook for Interiors, 8th Edition; Katherine E. Kennon & Sharon K. Harmon; 2022, Wiley (ISBN: 978-1119720881) 

image The Interior Plan: Concepts and Exercises – Bundle Book + Studio Access Card, 3rd Edition; Roberto J. Rengel; 2022, Fairchild Books (ISBN: 978-1501369742) 


NO ADDITIONAL COST FOR MATERIALS* - Textbooks are included in the course registration fee!


*Students are responsible for any applicable shipping charges and sales tax.

Components visible upon registration.

Taneshia W. Albert

MFA, ASID, CQ, EDAC, NCIDQ, USGBC

Webinar Instructor and Study Coach

Professor Taneshia West Albert, MFA, ASID, CQ, EDAC, NCIDQ, USGBC is an enthusiastic, award-winning educator from Auburn University and design practitioner. Her research and creative scholarship explores: cultural identity, meaning and trauma; diversity and inclusion; and methods to increase intercultural competency in design education and practice. Her design career is focused on design for healthcare environments, corporate interiors, and higher education spaces with a unique background in Medical Equipment Planning and Facilities Design and Construction. Her community service- both in and outside of the university in which she is employed- focuses on issues of inclusion, diversity, and equity within design education and the design profession of historically underrepresented group, specifically those: from marginalized ethnic groups; who are uniquely physical and cognitively abled; and who are lower socioeconomic groups.