How to Become an Interior Designer in New Mexico
On this page you’ll find:
- Requirements for becoming an Interior Designer in New Mexico
- Interior Design Schools in New Mexico
- Information on National Certification (NCIDQ)
- Career Outlook and Salary Expectations in New Mexico
If you could design your dream office, what would it look like? Would you include lots of windows or no windows at all? Closet space, ceiling height and even lighting types are typically determined by interior designers. To properly make decisions about what should be included in a space and where, interior designers must understand building codes and laws, universal accessibility standards, human behavior and even cultural aspects of the person or group of people for whom the space is being designed. These components ensure that buildings and homes are safe, functional and convenient for people to inhabit or visit.
Requirements for Becoming an Interior Designer in New Mexico
In New Mexico, the interior design profession is overseen by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (NMRLD). Applicants are required to complete a combination of six years of education and work experience within the field before registering with the state. Completing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam is also a requirement. The NMRLD’s education requirements will be taken care of when you complete the NCIDQ exam, since this exam has its own extensive education requirements.
To register with the state, you will need to submit three current letters of recommendation, an application and a $100 application fee. When your application receives approval, you will need to submit a $200 initial certificate fee. The annual renewal fee is $250, and registrants also need to complete at least eight hours of continuing education every year. The NMRLD provides an online list of the multiple ways you can earn continuing education hours.
In addition to meeting the state’s requirements, you can choose to earn a master’s degree in interior design, or complete an internship or apprenticeship program in interior design. These options will further improve your skillset, making you an ideal candidate for advanced opportunities within the trade.
Interior Design Schools in New Mexico
The first college listed below is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), while the second is not. Although it is highly recommended that you complete a CIDA-accredited education program in interior design, you will still be able to register with the state if the program you’ve completed is not CIDA-accredited.
- Southwest University of Visual Arts is located in the city of Albuquerque and offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design, which will require four years of study to complete. Tuition is currently about $11,000 per semester.
National Certification for Interior Designers in New Mexico
Earning national certification is required to practice in this state. NCIDQ certification can only be earned through the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). You will be eligible to sit for this exam if you have a bachelor’s degree along with two years of work experience within the trade, or if you have a lesser degree along with three-to-four years of work experience.
The NCIDQ exam is made up of the following three sections:
- Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX)
- Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX)
- Practicum Exam (PRAC)
The IDFX section carries a $295 registration fee, the IDPX carries a registration fee of $350, and the PRAC has a $455 registration fee. You will receive NCIDQ certification after passing all three sections. To maintain this certification, you will need to pay an annual fee of $75.
Those who have not yet completed work experience requirements are given the opportunity to sit for the IDFX portion of the exam only. This option is available to those who are in the last year of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program, as well as those who have completed either of these degree programs in interior design but have not yet fulfilled the work requirements. The application fee for this section of the exam is $95. You will also need to pay the IDFX registration fee of $295. Once you have completed work experience requirements, you may return to take the remaining two sections of the exam in order to earn NCIDQ certification.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
The career outlook for interior designers in New Mexico is detailed in the salary data, showing that interior designers in the state earn an average annual salary of $46,090, which is below the national average of $61,590. In New Mexico, the lowest 10% of earners make $32,690 or less, while the highest 10% can earn $81,510 or more. This data indicates a range of earning potential within the profession, based on experience, specialization, and location within the state.
National vs. New Mexico Salaries for Interior Designers
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $36,610 | $61,590 | $101,550 |
| New Mexico | $32,690 | $46,090 | $81,510 |
Salaries and Percentiles by Region in New Mexico for Interior Designers
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual QL (25%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual QU (75%) | Annual High (90%) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $32,690 |
| Aspect | New Mexico | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Employment (2020 for NM, 2022 for US) | 180 employees | 94,900 employees |
| Projected Employment (2030 for NM, 2032 for US) | 180 employees | 98,700 employees |
| Projected Growth | 0% | 4% |
| Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030 for NM, 2022-2032 for US) | 20 | 9,000 |
Souces of data:
The data provided in the summaries and tables comes from the O*NET Online website, specifically from the pages detailing employment trends and wage information for Interior Designers in New Mexico and nationwide. The employment trend data is sourced from Projections Central and the wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the year 2022-2032. These sources are reputable for their comprehensive and up-to-date labor market information, including occupation-specific employment projections and wage statistics across the United States.
Working as an Interior Designer in New Mexico
In New Mexico, the highest paid interior designers will likely be found working in the cities of Santa Fe, Tesuque or Glorieta.
Interior designers may be employed at home furnishing retailers, interior design studios, architecture firms and more. You may even choose to specialize in designing luxury bathrooms, vintage kitchens or grandiose staircases. Your imagination, innovation and dedication to the craft will help you in building a rewarding career as an interior designer.
FAQs
Is Interior Design in demand?
As the demand for renovation projects increases, homeowners and companies are expected to need services provided by interior designers to help create safe and functional spaces.