Free NKBA Certification (AKBD) Exam for Students
The NKBA certification department has a new program exclusively for NKBA Accredited Program students. Students at our 41 NKBA Accredited Programs will have the opportunity to take the Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer (AKBD) Certification Examination on their campus and postpone the exam fee until they apply for certification.
- Free registration and assessment test with deferred fees.
- Completed on your campus at your testing center from January 9-31, 2010.
- Students and Accredited Program coordinators will receive results.
- Provides a benchmark for students to assess their knowledge in kitchen and bath, as well as their readiness for the AKBD.
- Provides confidence for students that successfully pass the exam.
Participation Criteria
- Student must be in their final year of the program accredited by National Kitchen & Bath Association and have had the K&B Studio course(s) offered or with permission from the coordinator.
How Do I Register For The Exam in January?
- Students at NKBA Accredited Programs that wish to take the exam should contact their NKBA Coordinator. Click here.
- Complete the Exam Registration Form for the AKBD Certification and return the form to the coordinator.
- Coordinator mails all Exam Registration Forms to NKBA, Certification Department, AKBD Exam on Campus, 687 Willow Grove Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Package must be postmarked by November 30th.
Where Do I Take The Exam In January?
- NKBA Accredited Programs can register as a CASTLE testing center.
- CASTLE Worldwide, Inc. testing centers are nationwide.
Will I Be Certified If I Pass The Exam?
No. Successful candidates can apply to be NKBA certified once they complete the requirements for the Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer designation. These requirements include:
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience or graduation and completion of 160 hour internship from a NKBA Accredited Program and submission of the NKBA Graduation Verification Form.
- A minimum of 30 hours of NKBA education, equivalent college or graduation from an accredited program.
- Complete the NKBA Application for Certification- Associated Kitchen & Bath Designer, AKBD, including the following:
- Application for Certification Association Kitchen & Bath Designer, AKBD.
- Two AKBD Professional Affidavit Forms (be sure to remind your students to obtain signatures for these forms during their internship/work experience)- may not be relatives, employers, co-workers, or relatives of employers.
- Candidate testimony.
- Certification Fees:
- Application Fee: $159
- Exam Registration Fees: $200
- Must be a registered NKBA member (student or industry).
For students that have passed the AKBD Certification Exam in January, click here for complete explanation of the certification process.
Why Should I Take The AKBD Exam?
- Increased marketability. Students that can demonstrate competency at a professional level verified by a standardized examination will be more desirable to employers. Employers will be pleased that they will not have to spend money and time towards certification. Even students planning on entering the commercial area of design should be encouraged to sit for the exam. Many commercial settings involve the specification of cabinetry. The domains that are tested, planning and design, construction/ mechanical systems, business management and products/materials are valuable and applicable to all areas of design.
- Many kitchen and bath firms employ only certified designers to increase the marketability of their firm to the consumer.
Should I Sit For The AKBD, If I Did Not Have A Kitchen & Bath Internship?
Yes. Life always has an element of uncertainty. Even though their plans today do not include kitchen and bath, they may take a job in the industry in the future. NKBA will honor the results of any exams passed for up to 7 years. Candidates who fail to obtain certification after 7 years will have to retake all/both parts of the exam.