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Interior designers create a seamless flow throughout the business or personal spaces, with a creative combination of furniture and décor.
Many interior designers opt to collaborate with contracting companies and large design firms to evaluate blueprints before a new office or home is constructed, keeping the space layout and design in mind.
On the other hand, some designers choose to become freelancers, which is a flexible career choice that simultaneously delivers financial security.
If you are interested in becoming an interior designer in New York, it is important to learn more about the schools and requirements.
Keep reading to find out!
Article Table of Contents
New York Requirements for Interior Designers
Licensing and educational requirements for interior designers are regulated at the state level.
In New York, those who wish to utilize the title Certified Interior Designer or Interior Designer must obtain a license.
To earn this license and one of these titles, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be 21 years of age.
- Meet all exam and educational requirements.
- Meet professional experience requirements working with a New York State certified interior designer.
Regarding schooling requirements, licensure eligibility is based on work experience and education.
Therefore, New York State requires that you accumulate seven years or more of acceptable experience and education including:
- Two-to-five years of postsecondary education in an accredited interior design program, which could include an associate degree.
- Two years of satisfactory work experience under the supervision of a certified engineer, architect, or interior designer.
By participating in an associate degree program in interior design, you can earn two years of education and experience credits.
Those opting for a bachelor’s degree program will earn four years toward the credit.
Keep in mind, this qualification is valid when attending an interior design program accredited by the New York State Education Department since licensure is offered by the New York State chapter of CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation).
Once the experience and education requirements are met, you can sit for the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification).
5 Interior Design Schools in New York
With the largest city in the United States, New York is the leading destination for learning and refining your interior design skills.
The following are some of the leading schools in the state:
Cazenovia College
Located outside of Syracuse, Cazenovia College has a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design that meets all requirements to take the NCIDQ exam.
Students in this program receive a comprehensive study of the aesthetic, functional, and theoretical components of the interior design field taught by a faculty of experts.
The school also requires an internship, which offers students hands-on experience working in a professional design environment.
This internship counts toward the students’ required work experience once they graduate.
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
Although FIT is one of the top fashion schools in the world, it’s also an institute of technology and the third-best interior design school in New York.
With an acceptance rate of just 54%, those attempting to get into FIT face fierce competition.
New York School of Interior Design
The New York School of Interior Design is one of the best in New York and offers an Associate’s and bachelor’s degree in interior design.
Both programs focus on core studies in a variety of commercial and residential design, graphic communication, and technology courses.
Students can opt to attend both programs online, in-person, part-time, or full-time.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Located in Rochester, RIT is the best interior design school in the state.
Given its history of being a strong technical school on the national level, it only makes sense that the university also boasts an excellent interior design program.
With an acceptance rate of 71%, RIT is a fairly competitive school to get into for the technically inclined.
The New School, Parsons
Located in New York City, The New School offers students three interior design academic programs: an associate degree in Applied Science in Interior Design, a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Interior Design, and a master’s degree in Fine Arts in Interior Design.
In addition to following a state-mandated curriculum, all three programs will help students prepare for the certification exam.
Interior Design Schools in New York – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Cazenovia College | 22 Sullivan St, Cazenovia, NY 13035 |
| Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) | 227 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001 |
| New York School of Interior Design | 170 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) | 1 Lomb Memorial Dr, Rochester, NY 14623 |
| The New School, Parsons | 66 West 12th Street New York, NY 10011 |
Salary
With a median national income of $49,000 and a range of $29,000 to $58,000, your location dictates your salary based on the cost of living.
For instance, the median income in New York City is $59,000 compared to a median income of $48,000 in Rochester.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $58,669 |
| Buffalo | $46,639 |
| Rochester | $48,076 |
| Yonkers | $56,214 |
| Syracuse | $48,069 |
| Albany | $49,345 |
| New Rochelle | $55,981 |
| Mount Vernon | $56,190 |
| Schenectady | $49,370 |
| Utica | $46,701 |
Regional Salary in New York
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 160 | $68,940 | $33.14 | $103,090 | $38,420 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | 200 | $64,000 | $30.77 | $102,450 | $38,910 |
| Kingston, NY | 30 | $67,240 | $32.33 | $101,850 | $39,940 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 7,280 | $75,730 | $36.41 | $105,010 | $42,940 |
| Rochester, NY | 180 | $59,470 | $28.59 | $91,140 | $36,830 |
| Syracuse, NY | 90 | $66,460 | $31.95 | $107,780 | $33,290 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Source
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/id/interiorlic.htm
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the experience and education work combinations for New York State?
To be eligible for the NCIDQ certification exam, candidates are qualified to sit based on the following experience and education combinations:
- An accredited interior design bachelor’s degree with two years of full-time work in the field.
- An unaccredited interior design bachelor’s degree with two years of full-time work experience.
- A bachelor’s degree in other majors with at least 60 semester hours in interior design and two years of full-time work experience.
- An interior design associate degree with three years of full-time work experience.
- An interior design associate degree with four years of full-time work experience.
- A bachelor’s degree in architecture with three years of full-time work experience.
What is the cost to take the NCIDQ exam?
The exam consists of three parts the IDFX (Interior Design Fundamentals Exam), the IDPX (Interior Design Professional Exam), and the PRAC (Practicum Exam).
The IDFX costs $293, the IDPX will run you $350, and the PRAC exam costs $455 for a total of $1,098.
Also, the annual renewal of this certification costs $75.
What does the New York State licensure fee cost?
The licensure fee to become a New York State Certified Interior Designer is $377, which is due once your application is received by the New York State Department of Education.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State