Elevate your credibility and stand out with NKBA Certification

Pursuit of the CKBD is self-directed and asynchronous. It is up to the candidate to determine how much of the study program they will complete before attempting the exams.

NKBA certification is not intended to train prospective interior designers and is not designed for individuals seeking to begin a career in design. It is intended for established designers who would like to certify their expertise in kitchen and bath design. 

What are my responsibilities as a CKBD? 

Please click the following links to read through expectations for NKBA members and NKBA Certified Designers. 

NKBA Standard of Conduct

NKBA Designer Professional Code of Ethics

Requirements for Continuing Education

NKBA-certified members must complete 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), equivalent to 20 hours of approved education, during each CEU cycle. CEUs ensure certified designers remain current with evolving industry standards, technologies, and design practices.

0.1 CEU equals one hour of approved education. Members certified mid-cycle will receive a prorated requirement based on certification date.

Read more about the CEU Program

Candidates may be eligible for the CKBD exam through one of the following pathways: professional qualification, education with required work experience, or kitchen and bath design industry experience alone. All applicants must demonstrate knowledge and application of NKBA Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines and NKBA drawing standards.

Professional Qualification Pathway

NCIDQ-Certified Professionals or Licensed Architects

• Upload proof of qualification

Education Pathway

Candidates must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours in interior design or architecture-related coursework at an accredited post-secondary institution. Coursework must be credit-bearing and tied to a recognized certificate or degree pathway. Hours earned through continuing education, CEUs, or non-credit training programs are ineligible. 

Candidates must possess at least three years of experience in the kitchen and bath-related industry work with one year specifically as a kitchen and bath designer.

• Transcript identifying coursework*
• Diploma/Degree (if completed) 
• Resume identifying full employment history and tasks completed in each role
• Letter of reference from current supervisor confirming the candidate’s employment and design experience. Self-employed applicants must provide two client references. References must include the name, phone number, and email address of the reference.
• Link to website for current employer**
• Contact information for previous employers as references

*Transcripts from institutions outside of the United States or Canada will require verification from WES. 

**If self-employed, provide the link to your business website. 

Other requirements for work verification include listing a current business website, social media handles, and client references. 

Industry Experience – Kitchen and Bath Design Pathway

Candidates must possess at least seven years in the kitchen and bath-related industry work with three years specifically as a kitchen and bath designer.

• Sample drawings (floor plan, elevations, and renderings) 
• Resume identifying full employment history and tasks completed in each role
• Letter of reference from current supervisor confirming the candidate’s employment and design experience. Self-employed applicants must provide two client references. References must include the name, phone number, and email address of the reference.
• Link to website for current employer*
• Contact information for previous employers as references

**If self-employed, provide the link to your business website. 

Information About the Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines

The fifth edition of NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines with Support Space and Accessibility is the premier publication for U.S.- and Canadian-based Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers (CKBDs) and Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designers (CMKBDs), supporting the planning and design of kitchens, baths, and ancillary spaces.

This comprehensive fifth edition was prompted by the release of key code documents, specifically the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) and CSA B652: Accessible Dwellings (2023) in Canada. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and contributors meticulously evaluated the IRC alongside the most current National Building Code of Canada, ensuring greater alignment and consistency across U.S. and Canadian kitchen and bath planning guidelines.

Since its first publication in 1992, the NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines are the premier knowledge source for kitchen and bath designers. They include clearance, fixture, and equipment location, and accessible design guideline recommendations for kitchens, bathrooms, closets, laundry areas, home offices, home gyms, and outdoor living areas.

• NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines, 5^th Edition (print edition, includes shipping & handling)
• NKBA Knowledge Base Platform access for one year
• Interactive study program presented through asynchronous, self-paced learning modules
• Fundamentals Exam
  • Candidates may retake the exam one time. Fees apply for additional retakes.
• Portfolio Exam
  • Candidates may retake the portfolio exam one time. Fees apply for additional retakes. 
• One-year subscription to Chief Architect software (student version, managed by Chief Architect)

Candidates must pass two exams to earn their CKBD:

Fundamentals Exam

The CKBD Fundamentals Exam tests understanding of the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines. Exam questions will test if the candidate knows how to apply NKBA guidelines in a variety of scenarios. 

Portfolio Exam

A panel of NKBA-certified jurors will review a candidate’s kitchen and bath portfolio drawn to NKBA’s Graphic & Presentation Standards. The candidate must be the designer of record for this portfolio. The standards are available in NKBA’s Knowledge Base (included with bundle purchase) and are also linked within the CKBD study program. Most designers will need to familiarize themselves with NKBA’s Graphics & Presentation Standards, as they are more detailed than standard floor plans utilized in the interior design field.  

Portfolios document real kitchen and bath projects and consist of the following components:

1. Kitchen Drawing Set PDF – a complete set of kitchen drawings bundled together in one document.
2. Kitchen Specifications PDF – a complete set of kitchen specifications bundled together in one document.
3. Kitchen Design Statement PDF – a completed kitchen design statement in one document.
4. Kitchen Before and After Photographs PDF – a minimum of two before and two after photographs aligning to the installed kitchen design solution submitted.
5. Bath Drawing Set PDF – a complete set of bath drawings bundled together in one document.
6. Bath Specifications PDF – a complete set of bath specifications bundled together in one document.
7. Bath Design Statement PDF – a completed bath design statement in one document.
8. Bath Before and After Photographs PDF – a minimum of two before and two after photographs aligning to the installed kitchen design solution submitted.

Because the portfolio requires the submission of floor plans for actual design projects, it will be necessary for designers to update their project’s floor plans utilizing The NKBA’s Graphic & Presentation Standards if they have not already been applied. 

The Standards are discussed in Kitchen & Bath Design Presentation, 2^nd Edition

This content is available in NKBA’s Knowledge Base platform.

Candidates must successfully pass both exams within one year of the purchase date. Please see the following table for information about additional retakes and fees for reactivation. 

Fees: Exam Retakes and Program Reactivation

Both CKBD exams include a single complementary retake. Retaking an exam is subject to the waiting period identified in the table below. Should a candidate consider retaking one of the CKBD exams, it is important to first determine that they will be able to complete the planned retake after the waiting period and prior to the automatic expiry of their exam access window identified previously. 

Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.

The waiting period for the additional retake is determined by the date of the first retake for the Fundamentals Exam and the date results are delivered for the Portfolio Exam.

For candidates who do not complete the requirements within the one-year access window, they must request reactivation within six months of the program deadline. Candidates must meet current eligibility requirements for the CKBD exams. Email certificationapp@nkba.org for questions or requests for reactivation. 

To begin your CKBD Application, please click here.

The Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD) represents the highest level of professional achievement in the kitchen and bath industry. This certification recognizes individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence in design practice, advanced technical knowledge, and long-term commitment to professional growth. CMKBD candidates must hold an active CKBD or CKD certification for a minimum of six (6) continuous, uninterrupted years, during which all continuing education requirements must be met without lapse or disruption. Applicants must also demonstrate advanced professional experience and submit a comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of kitchen and bath design work.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Active CKBD credential held for a minimum of six (6) continuous years
• Continuous compliance with CKBD continuing education requirements (no lapses)
• Submission of a professional portfolio demonstrating advanced kitchen and bath design work
• Three client reference letters
• A resume listing evidence of professional contribution to the industry (education, publication, public speaking, volunteerism, or mentorship)

CMKBD Portfolio Exam

Candidates will be tested via a portfolio exam. Candidates should be prepared to upload the following: 

• Two Kitchens
• Two Baths
• Two Support Spaces 

One project must demonstrate accessible design principles. Each submission must include a complete drawing set prepared in accordance with NKBA Graphic and Presentation Standards, a Design Statement, and before-and-after photos.

Email certificationapp@nkba.org to inquire about applications for CMKBD. 

NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines

Link to Knowledge Base

Legacy Professional Designations

The following NKBA professional designations are no longer awarded to new candidates. However, many industry professionals continue to actively hold and use these credentials, reflecting their experience, knowledge, and prior achievement through NKBA’s credentialing programs.

• Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) specializes in the design, planning, and execution of residential kitchens. Individuals holding the CKD designation demonstrate extensive knowledge of building codes, appliances, mechanical systems, specification writing, and design documentation used by trade professionals and installers.
  
• Certified Bath Designer (CBD) specializes in the design, planning, and execution of residential bathrooms. Individuals holding the CBD designation demonstrate extensive knowledge of building codes, appliances, mechanical systems, specification writing, and design documentation used by trade professionals and installers.
  
• Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD) recognizes professionals with foundational kitchen and bath industry experience and demonstrated knowledge in areas such as safety, building codes, space planning, and product selection.
  
• Certified Kitchen and Bath Installer (CKBI) recognizes experienced kitchen and bath installation professionals with demonstrated expertise in installation practices, safety awareness, customer relations, and business management.

NKBA Badges

In addition to certification and legacy professional designations, NKBA also offers Specialty Badges, which are microcredentials focused on specific areas of kitchen and bath expertise. These self-paced programs allow professionals across all segments of the industry to demonstrate specialized knowledge in disciplines such as lighting, sustainability, appliances, remodeling, sales and marketing, and more. 

Badge holders may earn multiple credentials to showcase continued professional development and specialized skill sets. Learn more about the NKBA Specialty Badge Program.