Apply for the IDEX California – Path 1

Path 1 is for Applicants who meet minimum education or experience-only requirements but who are still in the process of completing the necessary education/work experience, may take the IDEX California® Examination.  After successfully passing the IDEX California® Examination, these candidates must submit the required proof of education/work experience, as listed under the Categories of Certification, in order to complete the certification process.

Minimum Education or Experience-only Requirements:

  1. You are an interior designer or student with 2 years of education (min. 40 “Core” interior design semester units)  or
  2. You are an interior designer or student with more than 5 but less than 8 years of work experience.
  3. RIDQC Exam Candidates, please apply under Path 1 or 2.
  • Registration Deadline for the Spring IDEX California® Examination is March 1st
  • Registration Deadline for the Fall IDEX California® Examination is August 1st

IDEX Exam Dates

Application Process

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATH 1

PLEASE NOTE: ALL 6 STEPS MUST BE COMPLETE FOR APPLICATIONS TO BE REVIEWED AND TO QUALIFY FOR EXAMINATION

CERTIFICATION APPLICATION/IDEX REGISTRATION

Please carefully follow these instructions in order to assure efficient processing of your application and entail all documentation required below to be cleared for the IDEX examination.  These instructions pertain to Path 1.  The amount due for Path 1 is $700. Your application will not be processed if all fees are not paid in full at the time of application submission.

The following information is to be provided to CCIDC:

  • A completed original CCIDC application.
  • Signed Code of Ethics:
    • This page must be mailed in with your “wet” signature, scans or emails are not accepted.
  • Proof of Education:
    • Sealed transcripts from the educational institution. If your name has changed, please attach the Applicants name to the transcripts.

AND/OR

  • Proof of diversified Interior Design Experience:
    • For Self-Employment Experience
      • Tax Return going back the amount of years you are claiming experience for
      • (please note, only the page of the tax return listing your occupation as an Interior Designer is required) or a verification of employment/occupation letter from a CPA or Attorney.
    • For all other Employment
      • Verifiable Resume: Applicants may satisfy this requirement by submitting a resume entailing detailed employer contact information, precise duration of employment and hours worked.
  • Proof of Examination Passage:
    • Note the IDEX California examination proof of exam passage will be provided for you.
    • RIDQC Exam Candidates, please apply under Path 1 or 2.
  • Proof of Identification: 
    • Copy of applicant’s drivers license, State issued ID Card or Passport, (must be legible and recognizable).
  • Proof of Payment:
    • The fee for IDEX Registration is $700.00 paid at the time of application submission.
      • Once you have passed the exam submitted your additional proof of qualifications and your application has been approved by the Compliance Committee, you will be prompted to pay your first two years fees.
  • Submit the above information online **Except for Transcripts and Code of Ethics** originals must be mailed in.

APPLICATION CATEGORIES – MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE THE IDEX EXAM

CATEGORY A:  You are a student with 2 years of education (min. 40 Core interior design semester units).
OR
CATEGORY B:  You are an interior designer with more than 5 but less than 8 years of work experience.

Please read the CCIDC Payment Policy for Refund and returned Check fee information.

Follow the link below to create your Login Account to:

Complete the CCIDC Online Application

or LOGIN HERE to finish an application already in progress (Log in with your Username and Password).

Important Facts For Applicants BEFORE YOU APPLY:

  • Do NOT submit an application until ready to begin sitting for the IDEX California® Examination.
  • Applications received after an application deadline will be held until the next application review window opens.
  • Fees are non-refundable.
  • Applicants have 1 year from submission to sit for the IDEX California Exam or applications will be nullified and the full process will have to be repeated successfully to gain certification.
  • Only eligible applicants with the required education (Minimum 40 Core Units) or work experience (Minimum 5 Years) will be allowed to sit for the IDEX California® Examination. Specific details on eligible combinations can be found in the Application Categories – Requirements for Certification.
  • Submit complete applications.  Incomplete applications are automatically placed on hold, and will be removed if not complete.  When a previously incomplete application has been completed, CCIDC then will release the hold and review the application.

Read and sign the CCIDC CODE OF ETHICS

Print and mail original to CCIDC office.

Pay your Application Fees

To pay via credit card: You must be logged into your IDEX Account, select the Pay Certification Fees Here link at the top left corner.

Please Note: In the required “Invoice” field, please enter:  IDEX – Candidates Name

Mail checks to: CCIDC, Inc. – 365 W. Second Ave, Suite 221, Escondido, CA 92025

Total Fees due with application (Includes Application Fee + IDEX Exam Fee + Testing Center Fee**): $700 Total*

*Fee is nonrefundable

Application fees must be submitted with application.

SEND REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Please attach the following items:

  1. Proof of diversified Interior Design Experience (Path 1B):
  • If You Are SELF-EMPLOYED – A Tax Return that claims yourself as an Interior Designer in the occupation section going back the amount of years you are claiming experience for or letter from a CPA or Attorney. OR
  • If You Are NOT SELF-EMPLOYED – Verifiable Resume: Applicants may satisfy this requirement by submitting a resume entailing detailed employer contact information, precise duration of employment and hours worked.
  1. Proof of Identification: 

Copy of applicant’s drivers license, State issued ID-Card or Passport, must be legible and recognizable.

Please Mail the following items to the CCIDC Office:

CCIDC, Inc.
365 W. Second Ave, Suite 221
Escondido, CA 92025

  1. Signed Code Of Ethics

 Original Code of Ethics form with “wet-signature” is required by mail.

  1. Official Transcripts (Path 1A) 

All transcripts must be official and may be mailed or emailed directly from your school/educational institution.

  • Registration Deadline for the Spring IDEX California® Examination is March 1st
  • Registration Deadline for the Fall IDEX California® Examination is August 1st

IDEX California Exam Information

IDEX Study Materials

This list of preparation materials is for your convenience, and includes our own Study Guide as well as third-party study programs.

Disclaimer: 

CCIDC is not affiliated in any way with any third-party exam preparation company or organization.  CCIDC does not endorse or recommend any third-party exam preparation company or organization. The contact and other information provided by CCIDC is only intended as a courtesy to those interested in utilizing the service of such third-party exam preparation companies and organizations.  CCIDC received no compensation or other benefit from such third-party exam preparation companies or organizations for providing such contact and other information to future or prospective exam takers. No guarantee, warranty or representation is made by CCIDC that any exam taker will pass any exam as a result of using its study guide or the study materials of third-party exam preparation companies or organizations. CCIDC is not responsible for, and expressly disclaim all liability resulting in or for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to or reliance on such materials.  While the information contained within this site and CCIDC’s Study Guide materials is believed to be accurate, no guarantee is given that the information provided on this website is correct, complete and up to date. The study material found on this website has been prepared by the best efforts and knowledge of all parties involved. If you believe that any of the information contained herein is inaccurate or requires updating, please feel free to contact us. CCIDC values your feedback.  Use of CCIDC’s study materials constitutes your review, approval and acceptance of these terms and conditions.  CCIDC reserves the right to make changes to this disclaimer at any time, without notification. It is therefore recommended that users review our disclaimer and associated terms and conditions on a regular basis. For any questions regarding our policies, disclaimers or conditioners please contact us.

IDEX® Study Guide

The “Official” IDEX® California Study Guide
A free booklet prepared by CCIDC.

Provides background information on the IDEX® California
exam, including the schedule, rules, release of results,
exam format, content, sample questions and an FAQ
(not intended to be a ‘study manual’).

IDEX® Prep Courses
IDEX Prep.com The Original IDEX CA Prep Class
Online Class On-Line and In-Person Classes
by Deni Mosser, CID by Mollyanne Sherman, CID

Books

California Codes and Regulations for Interior Designers Resource Manual

California Legislative Coalition for Interior Design (CLCID)