Certification Requirements
AKBD
Defined: AKBDs are industry professionals with documented experience and education in the kitchen and bath industry. While it is not predominantly design experience that the AKBD must demonstrate, the AKBD's range of expertise could include sales, manufacturing, design, drafting, fixtures, etc. This combination of experience and education ensures that the AKBD is a trained, qualified professional in the kitchen and bath industry.
Requirements: Applicants must document a minimum of two (2) years of experience. A minimum of one (1) year must be specifically within the kitchen/bathroom industry, including, but not limited to: kitchen/bath design, space planning, sales, project management, drafting, manufacturing, distribution, cabinet design, installation, decorative plumbing/hardware sales, manufacturer's rep., etc.
The second year can consist of kitchen/bath industry-related experience or formal education. Related experience is defined as interior design, interior decorating, architecture, remodeling, or construction. Industry-specific formal education will be considered only if college transcripts accompany the application.
Applicants must also earn a minimum of 30 hours of NKBA education or equivalent college. Education must be completed before the candidate's application for certification can be approved. Courses should be documented as accurately as possible on the application.
CKD/CBD
Defined: CKDs and CBDs specialize in the design, planning, and execution of residential kitchens and bathrooms, and prove advanced knowledge of technical and personal communication skills required to succeed as a design specialist.
Requirements: Applicants must document a minimum of seven (7) years of experience. A minimum of three years must be specifically from full-time residential kitchen/bath design experience, including design execution or project management.
The remaining four years can consist of full-time kitchen/bath design, related experience, or formal education.
Applicants must also earn a minimum of 60 hours of NKBA education or equivalent college. Education must be completed before the candidate's application for certification can be approved. Courses should be documented as accurately as possible on the application.
CKBI
Defined: Certified Kitchen & Bathroom Installers (CKBIs) are skilled individuals who specialize in kitchen and bathroom installation, safety awareness, customer relations, and business management. Kitchen and bathroom installations require more than just the ability to physically install cabinets, fixtures, and appliances. Professional installers must also be able to competently manage a project from start to finish. CKBIs prove advanced knowledge of technical and personal communication skills required to succeed as an installer specialist.
Requirements: The primary requirement is five (5) years of full-time experience (35 hours per week) in kitchen and/or bathroom installation. As an alternative, related industry experience or education may be combined with a minimum of two (2) years of full-time kitchen and/or bathroom installation experience to meet the five (5) year requirement. No NKBA education is required for the CKBI level.
CKE/CBE
Defined: Certified Kitchen Educators and Certified Bathroom Educators are college instructors who specialize in teaching residential kitchen and/or bathroom design. They understand the unique qualifications required for kitchen and bathroom design specialization, and they transfer their knowledge to interior design students. A college instructor achieves the CKE or CBE designation by proving experience as an interior design college educator and passing the CKD exam for CKE certification, or the CBD exam for CBE certification.
Requirements: CKEs and CBEs must demonstrate a minimum of seven (7) years of full-time teaching experience in interior design or a minimum of three (3) years teaching experience combined with formal education for a total of seven (7) years. No formal design experience is required.
Applicants must also earn a minimum of 60 hours of NKBA education. Education must be completed before the candidate's application for certification can be approved. Courses should be documented as accurately as possible on the application.
CMKBD
Defined: The Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer is a program which recognizes extraordinary experience and achievements in the kitchen and bath industry. The CMKBD must possess not only both their CKD and CBD certifications, but must have an additional ten (10) years of experience in the industry beyond the date of their first certification. This means that CMKBDs must have a minimum of 17 years of industry experience.
Requirements: Candidates applying for the CMKBD certification are required to have both their CKD and CBD certifications prior to applying. Candidates must also have an additional ten (10) years of industry experience in addition to the knowledge that they have already demonstrated to earn their CKD and/or CBD designation. Five (5) years of this additional experience must be from full-time kitchen/bath design.
Applicants must also earn a minimum of 100 hours of NKBA education. Education must be completed before the candidate's application for certification can be approved. Courses should be documented as accurately as possible on the application.
CMKBE
Defined: The Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Educator is a program which recognizes extraordinary experience and achievements of educators teaching residential kitchen and/or bathroom design at the college level. The CMKBE must possess not only both their CKE and CBE certifications, and must have an additional ten (10) years of experience in the industry beyond the date of their first certification. This means that CMKBEs must have a minimum of 17 years of teaching and design experience.
Requirements: Candidates applying for the CMKBE certification are required to have both their CKE and CBE certifications prior to applying. Candidates must also have an additional ten (10) years of teaching experience in addition to the knowledge that they have already demonstrated to earn their CKE and/or CBE designation. Five (5) years of this additional experience can be from full-time kitchen/bath design or teaching.
Applicants must also earn a minimum of 100 hours of NKBA education. Education must be completed before the candidate's application for certification can be approved. Courses should be documented as accurately as possible on the application.