Learn about opportunities to grow your professional knowledge and earn industry-recognized certifications.
CEUs
Continuing education helps interior design professionals stay current, strengthen their skills, and make informed, safe, and creative decisions.
What Is a CEU?
A continuing education unit, or CEU, measures the time spent completing an approved educational course. Under IIDA’s current system:
One contact hour equals one CEU.
Credit is awarded in half-hour increments.
IIDA CEU Requirements
IIDA Professional and Associate Members must complete 10 CEUs during each two-year compliance period.
Current compliance period:
January 1, 2026–December 31, 2027
This period applies to Professional and Associate Members who joined before January 1, 2026. Members who joined after January 1, 2026 will begin their first compliance period on January 1, 2028.
The requirement applies to all active and inactive Professional and Associate Members, including educators, IIDA Fellows, and chapter officers. CEUs earned beyond the required 10 hours cannot be carried into the next compliance period.
Earn and Track CEUs
IIDA members can earn CEUs through approved courses, webinars, events, publications, IIDA Academy programs, and local chapter programming. IIDA accepts courses approved by the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC).
Use your IDCEC account to review your transcript and manage your continuing education records. Keep copies of certificates and other proof of completion in case your records are audited.
For courses that are not IDCEC approved, contact IIDA at ceu@iida.org before assuming the course will count toward your requirement.
Helpful Resources
- Explore IIDA Academy and online learning
- View upcoming IIDA Oregon events
- Access your IDCEC account
- Read the IIDA CEU FAQs
IIDA continuing education requirements are separate from state licensing requirements. Confirm any state-specific requirements with the appropriate licensing board.
Certifications
Professional credentials demonstrate specialized knowledge, support career growth, and help advance the interior design profession. IIDA Oregon provides educational resources and potential reimbursement opportunities for members pursuing recognized certifications and credentials.
NCIDQ Certification
NCIDQ Certification is the interior design industry’s leading credential for professional competency. It is administered by the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), which has established standards for interior design practice since 1974.
The three-part NCIDQ Exam evaluates the knowledge and skills needed to design safe, functional, and innovative interior environments. Candidates must meet CIDQ’s education and experience requirements and pass all three exam sections to earn certification.
Preparing for the NCIDQ Exam
IIDA Oregon periodically offers NCIDQ preparation sessions and roundtable discussions with recently certified designers. Visit the chapter calendar for upcoming opportunities.
CIDQ also provides official eligibility information, exam guidance, study materials, and practice questions.
NCIDQ Exam Reimbursement
IIDA Oregon members who have completed the NCIDQ Exam may be eligible for professional certification reimbursement through the IIDA Oregon Chapter Education Fund.
Eligible IIDA members may also apply for exam reimbursement through the IIDA Foundation NCIDQ Tuition Reimbursement Fund. Awards are competitive and subject to current eligibility requirements and application periods.
LEED Credentials
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a globally recognized green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It provides a framework for designing, constructing, and operating healthier, more efficient, and more sustainable buildings.
While buildings and projects earn LEED certification, individual professionals can earn a LEED Green Associate or LEED AP with specialty credential to demonstrate their knowledge of sustainable design, construction, and operations.
LEED Education and Reimbursement
Visit the IIDA Oregon calendar for upcoming sustainability and continuing education programs.
IIDA Oregon members who earn an eligible LEED credential may apply for reimbursement through the IIDA Oregon Chapter Education Fund.
Eligible IIDA members may also apply through the IIDA Foundation LEED Design Education Fund, which provides competitive exam reimbursement for members who have passed the LEED Green Associate or LEED AP exam.
Certification Resources
- Learn about NCIDQ Certification
- Review NCIDQ Exam eligibility and study resources
- Explore the IIDA Oregon Chapter Education Fund
- View the IIDA Foundation NCIDQ Tuition Reimbursement Fund
- Learn about LEED and LEED professional credentials
- View the IIDA Foundation LEED Design Education Fund
- Find upcoming IIDA Oregon events