How to Become an Interior Designer in Puerto Rico

Interior designers create spaces that are functional, promote safety and are visually engaging. They must have knowledge of building codes, safety requirements and accessibility standards. Being knowledgeable about who will be using the space they design is also important. With input from their clients, interior designers might decide on the placement of windows and doors as well as fixtures and color schemes for rooms. To fully understand the creative and technical responsibilities of this job, interior designers usually hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in interior design.

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Requirements for Becoming an Interior Designer in Puerto Rico

The profession of interior design is not regulated nationally; rather it is regulated by state or territory. In Puerto Rico, interior designers are required to become licensed through the Puerto Rico State Department Examining Board of Interior Designers. Interior designers must get this license to use the title of interior designer as well as to practice interior design in Puerto Rico.

National certification is optional but is available by taking the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam that is offered by the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). To apply for an interior design license as well as obtain national certification, you must complete an accredited interior design program.

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Interior Design Schools in Puerto Rico

Interior design is not a profession in which you can learn hands-on. A formal education is needed to gain all the knowledge you need to succeed at this job. And in order to become a certified or licensed interior designer, you must complete an interior design degree program that has been accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). Here are some education options available to you in Puerto Rico:

  • University of Puerto Rico – Carolina. The University of Puerto Rico Carolina offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design degree program that focuses on eco-friendly design. Graduates of this program may specialize in commercial, institutional or residential design, space planning or showroom management. This is a four-year program.
  • Universidad Del Turabo. The Universidad del Turabo offers a Bachelor of Design degree in Interior Design. The program takes four years to complete and consists of approximately 123 credit hours. Coursework includes business practices, CAD and manual drafting and design, design history, furniture design and space planning.
  • EDP University. The San Juan School of Design at EDP University offers an associate’s degree program and bachelor’s degree program in Interior Design. The associate’s degree program consists of 86 credit hours and takes approximately two years to complete. The bachelor’s degree program consists of 126 credit hours or approximately four years. Both programs were developed by designer Lisa Thon.

Certification and Licensure for Interior Designers in Puerto Rico

National certification for interior designers in Puerto Rico is optional, but licensure is mandatory. To receive an interior design license, you must apply to the Puerto Rico State Department Examining Board of Interior Designers. You must be a high school graduate and complete at least 24 credit hours in English, Spanish, mathematics, humanities, philosophy, and psychology or sociology. Those applying must have also completed an interior design degree program that is accredited. The application fee is $50.00. You must also pass and take a Practical and Theory exam. The cost for the Theory exam is $60.00, and the cost for the Practical exam is $100.00.

To become nationally certified by taking the NCIDQ exam you must complete a combination of education and work experience that totals six years. This could be accomplished by completing a four-year bachelor’s degree program and working for two years or by completing a two- or three-year associate’s degree program and working for three to four years. If the degree program is not accredited, additional work experience may be required.

The exam is made up of three different sections. These include the Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX), the Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX) and the Practicum (PRAC) exam. To apply for all three sections, you must pay an application fee of $225. Once you receive approval to take the exam, you will have a 10-exam timeframe to register for and take the three sections of the exam. Registration fees are: $295 for the IDFX exam, $350 for the IDPX exam and $455 for the PRAC exam. You will be required to pay a $150 cancellation fee if you cancel a scheduled exam. Once all three sections of the exam have been passed, you will receive certification. You will need to pay an annual fee of $75 and complete 10 continued education credits to remain certified.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

The salary data for interior designers in Puerto Rico compared to the United States reveals a significant difference in earning potential. In Puerto Rico, interior designers earn an average annual salary of $28,640, which is considerably lower than the U.S. average of $61,590. The lowest 10% of earners in Puerto Rico make $18,990 or less, while the highest 10% can earn $46,250 or more. This contrast highlights the regional disparities in wage levels for the profession.

National vs. Puerto Rico Salaries for Interior Designers

Location Annual Low (10%) Annual Median Annual High (90%)
United States $36,610 $61,590 $101,550
Puerto Rico $18,990 $28,640 $46,250

Salaries by Region in Puerto Rico for Interior Designers

Region Annual Low (10%) Annual Median Annual High (90%)
San Juan-Carolina-Caguas, PR $18,990 $28,640 $46,250

Interior Designer Trends in Puerto Rico

For Puerto Rico, the webpage does not provide specific employment trend data for Interior Designers (27-1025.00). However, it does offer a general overview of employment trends for this occupation in the United States. As of 2022, there were 94,900 interior designers employed across the U.S., with a projected increase to 98,700 by 2032. This represents a growth rate of 4% over the ten-year period, with an average of 9,000 projected annual job openings due to both growth and replacement needs.

Employement Trends

Aspect United States
Employment (2022) 94,900 employees
Projected Employment (2032) 98,700 employees
Projected Growth (2022-2032) 4%
Projected Annual Job Openings (2022-2032) 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 Puerto Rico 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 Puerto Rico

As an interior designer, you may expect to work as a commercial interior designer, industrial interior designer, residential interior designer, store window designer, space planner, material specialist, furniture designer or stage designer. You may also choose to work as a freelance interior designer. The most common place in Puerto Rico to find work as an interior designer is in San Juan.

Few careers are flourishing right now in Puerto Rico, but this does not mean that you should not consider a career in interior design. The job field for this career will continue to grow nationally. You can set yourself apart from others in your field by working hard, becoming licensed and certified and building a portfolio to show off your work. Once you have obtained your degree and hold certification, you may also want to consider working in the United States if you are able, and if interior design work is hard to find in Puerto Rico.

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FAQs

How long is an interior design program?

How Long Does It Take To Get Certified in Interior Design? Generally, certificate programs can be completed in under a year, whereas degree programs can take anywhere from 2 to 4 years of study in order for the student to earn their degree.

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