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NKBA’s Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD) Certification Program
The NKBA is dedicated to providing our members and the kitchen & bath community with the highest quality of education and professional certifications. With that being said, we have transformed our longstanding Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD) Certification Program by creating several curriculum tracks for NKBA members in different stages of their professional careers.
The online program includes everything a candidate requires to earn their CKBD including, access to self-directed E-Learning coursework on Learn Dash, practice exams, tutorials, instructional videos, additional resources and much more. To qualify the candidate’s understanding of the coursework, industry standards, and NKBA Planning Guidelines they must successfully pass a fundamental exam and portfolio evaluation submission, both completed online.
Review the steps below and discover which pathway is right for you!
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must be an NKBA member in good standing and meet specific education and work experience requirements. The three CKBD candidates categories include:
- Allied Professional – NCIDQ Certificate Holder or Registered Architect
- Post-Secondary Education – Master’s, Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree or Diploma in Interior Design or Architecture.
- Post-Secondary Education – Certificate in Interior Design or Architecture
Candidate’s #2 and #3 will be required to submit a work verification form(s) within the online application. Qualified attesting representatives include a Direct Supervisor or Sponsor. For self-employed applicants, they need to be verified by an accountant, attorney or vendor. Applicants who have a degree or diploma earned outside the US and Canada will need to verify their credentials via the World Education Services form (WES).
Allied Professionals and Post-Secondary Education Candidates who hold a Master’s, Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree or Diploma in Interior Design or Architecture are not required to complete additional NKBA education hours. The cost of the program is $750 and can be completed in 12 months or less.
Post-Secondary Education Candidates who hold a Certificate in Interior Design or Architecture will be required to complete a minimum of 30 additional NKBA education hours (included in purchase). The cost of the program is $1150 and can be completed in 12 months or less.
Applications are accepted year-round. Candidates will be required to complete two exams, one being a fundamentals exam and the second a portfolio evaluation submission.
CKBD Additional Details
What’s included with purchase:
- Application fee
- Access to NKBA’s Learning Management System (LearnDash)
- NKBA’s 4th Edition Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines (Spiral-Bound and Digital copy)
- All candidates receive the CKBD Study Program
- Post-secondary education (Certificate Holder) candidates also receive NKBA’s Professional Program – 30 additional NKBA education hours.
If you have any questions, please email the NKBA Certification Team at certification@nkba.org.
