KBB - February 2014 - 98

Learning Corner

Navigating Your Career Path
Which industry certification programs and professional associations
will take you where you want to go?
You have the experience, and you've amassed a stellar portfolio of completed kitchens and/or baths. But is it enough? You know you're talented,
but how do you convey to your potential clients that you're an expert at
what you do?
There are many paths you can choose, and navigating your way
through the various industry organizations and credentials available in
the design marketplace can be overwhelming. How do you know which
affiliations and certification programs are designed to take you where you
want to go?
Since every individual designer's career is as unique as the projects
they create, there is no one set path. Following are a few reasons you
should consider the various certification programs, as well as an overview
of the various specialized opportunities available to you - opportunities
that will help prove your expertise in the highly technical realm of kitchen
and bath design.

Why Certify?
Today's consumers are super savvy, and they're looking for the cream
of the crop. With the Internet and social media at their fingertips 24-hours
a day, homeowners are more educated than ever before. They're confident in what they want, and they want the best. They're used to looking
for the top professionals in almost any industry. Whether it's an attorney, an
accountant or a kitchen and bath designer, consumers choose to work
with professionals who go above and beyond the norm to demonstrate
their level of expertise.
As a kitchen and bath designer, it's not enough to simply understand
what makes a good-looking space. It's important to differentiate yourself
from your peers. There are a myriad of professional societies and affiliations available to you, from those broadly focusing on interior design in
general, to those that specifically hone in on one area of expertise. But
if kitchens and baths are your specialty, the National Kitchen and Bath
Association (NKBA) is a great place to start.

NKBA Certification Path
Even if you're a newcomer in the industry, you're undoubtedly familiar
with the well-respected certification program offered by the NKBA. From Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD) through Certified Master Kitchen
and Bath Designer (CMKBD), the NKBA currently has more than 3,000 certified members, making the organization the industry's most recognized.
According to Andrew Mackenzie, the NKBA's manager of certification,
"Consumers may not initially know exactly what a CKD or CBD is, but when
they begin their research before a project, they quickly learn that this is
a distinction that sets a professional apart from the rest. When potential
clients see the letters AKBD, CKD, CBD or CMBD after your name, they know
you possess the specialized skills required to address their intimate kitchen
and/or bath design needs."
The body of knowledge required for certification exams is covered in
the organization's nine-volume Professional Resource Library and the NKBA

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Kitchen & Bathroom Planning Guides. Most coursework is conveniently
available online, and candidates can choose from independent study
or a more classroom-designed online format. The specific qualifications
required for each NKBA certification level are:
* Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD): Certifies knowledge of
product selection, space planning, materials and finishes
Experience: Two years
Required hours of NKBA-approved education: 30
Exam: 200 multiple-choice questions
* Certified Kitchen or Bath Designer (CKD), (CBD): Certifies knowledge
of design, planning and execution of residential kitchens or bathrooms
and proves advanced knowledge of the technical and personal communication skills required by a design specialist
Experience: Seven years
Required hours of NKBA-approved education: 60
Exam: Hand-drafted or CAD design scenarios completed within a six-hour
time limit
* Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD): Recognizes
extraordinary experience and achievement in the kitchen and bath
industry. Must possess CKD and CBD certifications.
Experience: 17 (An additional 10 years beyond the date of first certification.)
Required hours of NKBA-approved education: 100
Exam: No exam required
Other: Three third-party endorsements.
In addition to its certification programs, the NKBA has recently
launched its most visionary and comprehensive learning program to
date. The new Learning Paths approach helps industry professionals, from
newcomer to veteran, follow a personalized learning path to manage
their career.
"Previously, everything had been design oriented," said Mackenzie,
"but the new path maps out careers in eight competency areas and
offers designers an online management system where they can follow
along with well-defined, step-by-step sequencing depending on where
they are and where they're trying to go."
The areas of study include Design and Inspiration, Talent Management, Communication, Adapt and Innovate (Change Management),
Focus on the Consumer, Business Management, Leadership and Sales
and Marketing.

Addressing the Aging-in-Place Trend
Another important area of focus in today's kitchen and bath marketplace is the aging-in-place trend. As Jeff Jenkins, director of candidate
and instructor services for the National Association of Home Builders

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