How to Become an Interior Designer in California

Career Overview

Interior designers work with architects and building developers to design safe, functional, and visually appealing rooms and buildings. These employees often use blueprints and create conceptual sketches to illustrate plans for interior locations. An interior designer handles both residential and commercial projects to meet each customer’s needs.

In addition to consulting home and business owners about project goals, interior designers also determine project costs, develop a timeline for completion, and source products and materials. Depending on the type of project and its location, workers must adhere to inspection regulations and building codes while meeting customer demands.

Schools & Training

Interior Design Education

If you are interested in a career in interior design, there are several steps you must complete.

Employers Prefer Educated Applicants

Although most employers prefer hiring a candidate who has completed at least some form of formal education, it is possible to gain an entry-level position without completing an interior design program. In this case, however, your employment opportunities will generally be quite limited until you have completed a formal education program or you have built up a portfolio and a reputation that you can use to help you further your career.

Degrees & Programs

Unlike many other states, the state of California does not require an interior designer to obtain certification before working in this capacity. In most cases, however, you will need to complete either a four-year bachelor’s degree program or you will need to complete an interior design certification program before you will be hired by an interior design company.

Certifications vs Bachelors Degree

Certifications

There are numerous two and three year certification programs available for you to select from, many of which are offered online as well as through brick and mortar campuses. In fact, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design currently accredits about 250 postsecondary art and design programs throughout the United States, most of which offer interior design programs. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation, which specifically accredits bachelor’s degree programs, currently accredits nearly 150 programs throughout the country.

Bachelors Degree

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published through the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, it is generally best to obtain a bachelor’s degree in interior design if you wish to obtain an entry-level position within the field. The Occupational Outlook Handbook goes on to report that those who complete two or three year certification programs or associate degree programs generally quality to work as assistants to interior designers after their education is complete, while those who obtain a bachelor’s degree will generally qualify to enter an apprenticeship program.

Portfolio

In order to become accepted into an interior design school, you generally must first submit a portfolio containing examples of your abilities. Once you are admitted to a program, you will complete a variety of different courses related to the field of study.

Licensing

Although licensing is not required in the state of California, many interior designers choose to complete a licensing examination in order to demonstrated their abilities to their potential clients.

California Interior Design License Requirements

In order to take the examination, which is administered through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification program, applicants must first complete a total of 6 years of combined education and work experience within the field, with at least two of those years being dedicated to a post-secondary education in the field. In order to maintain this licensure, interior designers must meet certain continuing education requirements.

In most cases, however, you will need to obtain either an associate or bachelor’s degree in interior design or complete a certification program before you will be hired by an interior design company.

How to Get a License

Schools

There are numerous two- and three-year certification programs available to choose from, many of which are available online and through brick-and-mortar campuses. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design currently accredits nearly 350 postsecondary art and design programs throughout the United States, most of which offer interior design programs.

Bachelors Degree
Additionally, The Council for Interior Design Accreditation, an authority in interior design education that accredits bachelor’s degree programs, currently accredits over 170 interior design programs throughout the country.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published through the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, it is generally best to obtain a bachelor’s degree in interior design if you wish to obtain an entry-level position within the field.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook goes on to report that those who complete two- or three-year certification programs or associate degree programs generally qualify to work as assistants to interior designers after their education is complete, while those who obtain a bachelor’s degree will generally qualify to enter an apprenticeship program.

In short, the time it takes to become an interior designer differs depending on which education path you choose. An associate degree in interior design takes roughly two years to obtain, while a bachelor’s degree takes about four years. However, in addition to a degree, those seeking certification must also have three to four years of work experience and pass the NCIDQ interior design certification exam.

Some common classes that are required

Architecture
Color and Fabrics
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Drawing
Ergonomics

Ethics
Furniture Design
Perspective
Psychology
Spatial Planning

Apprenticeship

In those states where a licensing examination is required, those who complete an interior design program must then enter a 1 or 3 year apprenticeship program before they are eligible to take a licensing exam.

Salary

How Much Do Interior Designers Make in California?

While the median annual interior designer salary in California statewide is about $54,868, total earnings depend largely on which city you find employment. Median yearly earnings of interior designers in select California cities are:

Anaheim	$54,893
Los Angeles	55,555
Sacramento	$53,095
San Diego	$53,009

Employment

Although the state of California does not require completing of a licensing exam in order to work as an interior designer, most graduates still find it necessary to complete an apprenticeship program before they are able to explore employment opportunities within the field. While many apprentices work with design or architecture firms, some also complete their apprenticeship programs in furniture stores or in other similar settings.

Furthermore, it is also possible to complete this portion of your training through the Interior Design Experience Program, which is offered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. Through this program, you can work in an entry-level capacity while being supervised through the program.

Career Outlook

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics anticipates little to no growth by 2030, the interior design industry also shows little to no decline. However, these projections could change depending on local and national economic factors, as well as fluctuations in the overall job market.