Interior Designer / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Interior Designer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Plans and designs interior spaces for functionality and aesthetics.

What the Washington data shows for Interior Designers

Becoming a licensed interior designer in Washington means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on NCIDQ Examination, and 2 years of supervised work experience once the applicant turns 18. Washington regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree plus Work Experience".

Upfront cost is $293, with renewal running $212 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 10 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: NCIDQ passed in some states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
30/100
Interior Designer · Washington

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$293
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$106/yr
$212 every 2 years
Continuing Education B
5.0 hrs/yr
10 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Washington

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree plus Work Experience
Not specified
Exam Requirement
NCIDQ Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$293
Renewal Fee
$212
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
10 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Not Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Interior Designer All Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Interior Designer in Washington? ▼
Washington's requirements cover, the NCIDQ Examination exam, and an initial fee of $293.
How do I get certified as an Interior Designer in Washington? ▼
To become a licensed interior designer in Washington, you must meet the state's requirements and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Washington licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Interior Designer license to Washington from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for interior designers: NCIDQ passed in some states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Washington licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Washington require a background check for Interior Designer licensing? ▼
Washington does not currently require a criminal background check for interior designer licensing, though this may vary by employer or specific role.
What are the continuing education requirements for Interior Designer in Washington? ▼
Washington ties continued interior designer licensure to 10 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $212 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this interior designer license

Interior Designer in Washington, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an interior designer-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Washington's interior designer requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Interior Designer in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state interior designer license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Washington's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Washington overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Washington licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.