Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must be an NKBA member in good standing and meet specific education and work experience requirements. The four CKBD candidates categories include:
- Allied Professional – NCIDQ Certificate Holder or Registered Architect
- Post-Secondary Education – Master’s, Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree or Diploma in Interior Design or Architecture.
- Post-Secondary Education – Certificate in Interior Design or Architecture
- Alternative Pathway – No degree, diploma or certificate in Interior Design or Architecture.
Candidate’s #2, #3, #4 will be required to submit a work verification form(s) within the online application. Qualified attesting representatives include a Direct Supervisor or Sponsor. For self-employed applicants, they need to be verified by an accountant, attorney or vendor.
CKBD Program Timeline & Cost
Allied Professionals and Post-Secondary Education Candidates who hold a Master’s, Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree or Diploma in Interior Design or Architecture are not required to complete additional NKBA education hours. The cost of the program is $750 and can be completed in 12 months or less.
Post-Secondary Education Candidates who hold a Certificate in Interior Design or Architecture will be required to complete a minimum of 30 additional NKBA education hours (included in purchase). The cost of the program is $1150 and can be completed in 12 months or less.
Candidates who do not have a degree, diploma or certificate in Interior Design or Architecture will be required to complete a minimum of 60 additional NKBA education hours (included in purchase). The cost of the program is $1350 and can be completed in 24 months or less.
Exam Format & Dates
Applications are accepted year-round. Candidates will be required to complete two exams, one being a fundamentals exam and the second a portfolio evaluation submission. NKBA Certification Exams will be offered twice per year within the Spring and Fall periods. If a candidate fails an exam they must wait until the next available scheduling period to retake the exam.
Review the CKBD Exam Format & Dates here.
What’s included with purchase:
- Application fee
- Access to NKBA’s Learning Management System (LearnDash)
- NKBA’s 4th Edition Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines (Spiral-Bound and Digital copy)
- All candidates receive the CKBD Study Program containing 11 lessons
- Post-Secondary Education (Certificate Holder) candidates also receive:
- NKBA’s Professional Program – 30 additional NKBA education hours.
- Alternative Pathway candidates also receive:
- NKBA’s Advanced Program – 60 additional NKBA education hours.
For detailed information on the information listed above please review the CKBD Kitchen & Bath Certification Guidebook.
If you have any questions, please email the NKBA Certification Team at certification@nkba.org.
What’s included with purchase:
- Application fee
- Access to NKBA’s Learning Management System (LearnDash)
- NKBA’s 4th Edition Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines (Spiral-Bound and Digital copy)
- All candidates receive the CKBD Study Program containing 11 lessons
- Post-Secondary Education (Certificate Holder) candidates also receive:
- NKBA’s Professional Program – 30 additional NKBA education hours.
- Alternative Pathway candidates also receive:
- NKBA’s Advanced Program – 60 additional NKBA education hours.
For detailed information on the information listed above please review the CKBD Kitchen & Bath Certification Guidebook.
If you have any questions, please email the NKBA Certification Team at certification@nkba.org.