KBB - February 2014 - 100

Learning Corner
(NAHB), explains, "The influx of baby boomers moving closer to retirement
age means there's a growing demand for remodeling homes that meet
the current and future needs of residents."
The kitchen and bath are two of the most important rooms, and as Jenkins points out, "in many older homes, the kitchen and bath often require
extensive home modifications." While many kitchen and bath designers
know perfectly well how to design a beautiful room, the Certified Aging
in Place Specialist designation proves that the professional possesses the
technical knowledge of the guidelines and requirements of accessibility.
According to Jenkins, the CAPS program is the fastest growing of the
NAHB's professional designations. "It seems to have struck a chord with
builders and remodelers across the country," he said. "Many remodelers, builders and consumers simply don't have expertise in this area and
could greatly benefit from collaboration with a kitchen or bath designer
with the CAPS designation."
Over the past decade, nearly 5,300 professionals have earned the CAPS
title by meeting course requirements in three curriculum areas: Marketing
and Communications Strategies for Aging and Accessibility, Design/Build
Solutions for Aging and Accessibility and Business Management for Building Professionals. CAPS designees are also required to complete 12 hours
of continuing education every three years.

Other Industry Affiliations
In addition to kitchen and bath specialties, there are other programs
offered to prove your skill as a designer in a more general sense. Many
turn to the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) for career guidance. The world's largest and most comprehensive design organization, it
provides a mix of education and interaction designed to support professionals at any stage in their career. Local chapters offer a network of industry and media partners, access to consumer-focused marketing communications, savings on contract documents and publications, the latest
educational opportunities and even legislative advocacy.
There are three levels of ASID membership based on experience and
contributions made to the field, and effective January 1, 2014, every member is required to obtain 10 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
every two years - an increase from the six hours previously required. To
help members meet the required CEUs, ASID is expanding educational
opportunities such as webinars and chapter events and now offers credits
for those who author books and articles, as well as those who participate
in keynote speaking engagements.
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and
Council for Qualification of Residential Interior Designers (CQRID) are
two more organizations designed to recognize those who meet rigorous
competency standards in the design profession. Both require a specific
amount of industry experience, plus the passing of a rigorous examination. The NCIDQ focuses on interior design and interior architecture, in
general, while CQRID's focus is specifically on residential design. More
than 29,000 individuals around the world have earned an NCIDQ certificate, and 800 design professionals have become CQRIDs since testing
began in 1997. Both offer designers a way to stand apart in the increasingly competitive marketplace.

Other Specialty Markets
Two other specialty areas that are gaining momentum include healthcare and green building. In healthcare design, the American Academy

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of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID) recognizes a superior level of excellence, commitment and knowledge. Accreditation requires five years
of healthcare industry experience, NCIDQ certification, three client reference letters and a portfolio of four to six completed projects from the past
five years.
To distinguish excellence in green building, the ASID and the U.S.
Green Building Council (USGBC) created the REGREEN Trained™ Certificate Program. The most comprehensive and respected green residential
remodeling training program in the industry, it sets a standard of sustainability best practice guidelines and prepares professionals to make an
immediate and measurable impact on the environment and welfare of
their clients. Certification requires the completion of five rigorous online
training courses and attendance to an in-person REGREEN Implementation Workshop.
Still feel overwhelmed? The best thing you can do to create your career blueprint is research any opportunities in your particular area of expertise - or the direction you've been inspired to go. Talk with your peers
and learn about their experiences. Visit with local chapters of various organizations, learn the particulars on the programs they offer, and ask lots
of questions.
Certification and continued education are important not only for your
personal growth and development, but also for the integrity of the design
industry as a whole. By putting your best foot forward, you help raise the
bar, setting marketplace standards of excellence for all. n
- By Holly Berecz
American Academy of
Healthcare Interior Designers
(AAHID)
www.aahid.org
1-847-375-6870
info@aahid.org
American Society of Interior
Designers (ASID)
www.asid.org
202-546-3480
membership@asid.org
Certified Aging In Place
Specialist (CAPS)
www.nahb.org/CAPS
1-800-368-5242
Certified Interior Decorators
International (CID)
www.cidinteriational.org
772-287-1855
Council for Qualification of
Residential Interior Designers
(CQRID)
www.interiordesignsociety.org
336-884-4437
International Interior Design
Association (IIDA)
www.iida.org
312-467-1950
iidahq@iida.org

February 2014 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

National Association of
Home Builders (NAHB)
www.nahb.org
1-800-368-5242
National Council for Interior
Design Qualification (NCIDQ)
www.ncidq.org
202-721-0220
inquiries@ncidq.org
National Kitchen and Bath
Association (NKBA)
www.nkba.org
1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522)
REGREEN Trained™
Certificate Program
www.regreenprogram.org
regreen@asid.org
U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC)
www.usgbc.org
1-800-795-1747
http://www.nahb.org http://www.aahid.org http://www.ncidq.org http://www.asid.org http://www.nkba.org http://www.nahb.org/CAPS http://www.regreenprogram.org http://www.cidinternational.org http://www.usgbc.org http://www.interiordesignsociety.org http://www.iida.org http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com
KBB - February 2014

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