Registered Membership is the highest level of professional qualification for interior designers in Alberta. It affords individuals, so qualified, full rights within the Interior Designers of Alberta, Interior Designers of Canada full membership and rights within that organization and professional reciprocity in all other Canadian interior design associations. It is the standard of excellence for the interior design qualification for the public and profession alike

Criteria

• Is actively engaged in the interior design profession
• Has either: a degree, which meets the minimum CIDA educational standards and is approved by Council, or been a Registered Member in good standing continuously since 2000
• Has passed the NCIDQ examination and all examinations that are prescribed by Council
• Has successfully completed a minimum combination of six years of education and practical training.
• The education component must meet the requirements as set out in Item 3.4.2. Of the bylaws.
• A minimum of two years of the practical training must be under the direct supervision of a fully qualified Member of an interior design association recognized by Council
• Is of good character and adheres to the ethical standards of the Association
• Pays, in full, fees, dues or levies of the Association
• Fulfills all requirements for currency as prescribed by Council, and
• Fulfills all requirements for continuing education as prescribed by Council.
• A Registered Member shall be permitted to use the designation IDA and IDC following their name to denote Membership in the Association.
• Graduation from a CIDA accredited interior design educational program.
• Minimum of 6 years of combined interior design education and work experience.
• Ongoing interior design employment.
• Professional liability insurance coverage.
• Payment of annual dues.

Application Requirements

The following items must be attached to an application form:

• Post-secondary educational transcripts; to be forwarded directly from the educational institute. Applicant to make arrangement for institute to forward hard copies to the IDA office. Applicant may attach temporary copy to application. This requirement is waived for applicants who are current Provisional IDA members
• Completed Experience Verification Form (EVF) or work history; required from all applicants regardless of years of experience. A copy of the format is available through the IDA office.
• 2 letters of recommendation from supervisors who can verify the applicants experience and who are registered members of an interior design or architectural association.
• Copy of NCIDQ and other applicable certificates.
• Proof of liability insurance form or certificate.
• Application fee.

Intern Membership is intended to bridge post-secondary education and Registered or Associate membership. During this period individuals gain verified experience and complete examinations that are necessary for Registered or Associate membership.

Provisional Members, on the path to Registered membership, also hold Intern membership in the Interior Designers of Canada by virtue of their IDA membership and can avail themselves of the various programs designed specifically for Provisional Members.

Criteria

Current Registered, Intern or Associate membership.

• Is actively engaged in the interior design profession
• Has either: graduated from a CIDA accredited interior design program, or has attained an equivalency that meets the minimum CIDA educational standards for an accredited interior design educational program
• Is of good character and adheres to the ethical standards of the Association
• Pays, in full, fees, dues or levies of the Association
• Provides proof of current professional liability insurance coverage
• Fulfills all requirements for currency as prescribed by Council, and
• Fulfills all requirements for continuing education as prescribed by Council
• An Intern Member must record their Interior Design experience in a format prescribed by Council.
• An Intern Member must under take to write and successfully complete the NCIDQ examination within three years of having completed the eligibility requirements for the NCIDQ examination.
• An Intern Member who fails to successfully complete the NCIDQ examination within the time prescribed in Item 3.6.3 must: make immediate application for transfer to another category of membership if eligible or will cease to be a member of the Association.
• Upon successful completion of the NCIDQ examination, the Intern may make application for membership in the Association as a Registered Member.
• An Intern Member shall not be permitted to use any designation following their name to denote Membership in the Association.
• Registered Membership Pathway: Graduation from a CIDA accredited interior design educational program. OR
• Associate Membership Pathway: Graduation from a two year interior design or architectural technology program that is recognized by Council.
• Ongoing interior design employment.
• Professional liability insurance coverage.
• Ongoing continuing education.
• Payment of annual dues.

Application Requirements

The following items must be attached to an application form:

• Completed application form
• Post-secondary educational transcripts; to be forwarded directly from the educational institute. Applicant to make arrangement for institute to forward hard copies to the IDA office. Applicant may attach temporary copy to application.
• Ongoing interior design employment.
• Application fee

Associate membership is intended for those practitioners who do not qualify or choose to become Registered Members but wish to maintain an ongoing professional relationship with the interior design profession.

Criteria

• Is actively engaged in the interior design profession
• Has either: a diploma in interior design technology which is recognized by Council, or a diploma in architectural technology that is recognized by Council.
• Has passed all examinations that are prescribed by Council
• Is of good character and adheres to the ethical standards of the Association
• Pays, in full, fees, dues or levies of the Association
• Provides proof of current professional liability insurance coverage
• Fulfills all requirements for currency as prescribed by Council
• Fulfills all requirements for continuing education as prescribed by Council
• An Associate Member shall be permitted to use the designation “IDA, Associate” following their name to denote Membership in the Association.
• Graduation from a two-year interior design or architectural technology program that is recognized by Council
• Minimum of 6 years of combined interior design education and work experience
• Ongoing interior design employment. Professional liability insurance coverage
• Ongoing continuing education and participation in IDCEC program
• Payment of annual dues

Application Requirements

The following items must be attached to an application form:

• Post-secondary educational transcripts; to be forwarded directly from the educational institute. Applicant to make arrangement for institute to forward hard copies to the IDA office. Applicant may attach temporary copy to application. This requirement is waived for applicants who are current Intern IDA members.
• Completed Experience Verification Form (EVF) or work history; required from all applicants regardless of years of experience. A copy of the format is available through the IDA office.
• 2 letters of recommendation from supervisors who can verify the applicants experience and who are registered members of an interior design or architectural association.
• Copy of certificates verifying completion of examinations prescribed by Council.
• Fulfillment of all continuing education requirements during Intern Membership.
• Proof of liability insurance form or certificate.
• Application fee

Student membership is intended for individuals who are enrolled in a post-secondary interior design education program. It offers a means for individuals to become familiar with the profession and professional associations and to interact with practitioners prior to graduation.

A Student Member must make application for Membership as a Intern Member within six months of completion of their current academic year, unless the applicant re-enrolls in a post-secondary interior design education program which is approved by Council.

A Student Member shall not be permitted to use any designation following their name to denote Membership in the Association.

Criteria

• Is enrolled as a student in a post-secondary interior design education program that is approved by Council
• Is of good character and adheres to the ethical standards of the Association, and
• Pays, in full, fees, dues or levies in the Association
• A Student Member shall not be permitted to use any designation following their name to denote Membership in the Association.
• A Student Member must make application for Membership as an Intern Member within six months of completion of the current academic year, unless the applicant re-enrolls in a postsecondary interior design education program which is approved by Council.

Application Requirements

The following items must be attached to an application form:

• Proof of current enrollment in educational program; letter of verification from institution
• Completed application form, proof of payment of fees or proof of course load.
• Non-fundable application fee. NOTE: Should the education program you attend not be considered accredited by Council, application fees remain non-fundable.

Inactive membership is intended for individuals who will be away from the profession for a period of time but who wish to retain their current membership designation upon return to the profession.

This category of membership is open to Members for a maximum of ten consecutive years. Upon return to the profession and the IDA, Inactive Members do not have to qualify for membership under current standards but are readmitted to their previous category of membership.

Applicants must fulfill the following criteria to meet the requirements for Inactive Membership:

Criteria

Current Registered, Intern or Associate membership.

• Professional liability insurance coverage; required for coverage of projects
• completed when working.
• Ongoing continuing education (reduced requirements) and participation in IDCEC program.
• Payment of annual dues.

Application Requirements

• Letter requesting transfer to this category of membership and including indication of length of time individual intends to be away from workforce.

Retired membership is intended for former Registered and Associate members who are no longer permanently engaged in the profession but who wish to retain a connection to the profession.

Applicants must fulfill the following criteria to meet the requirements for Inactive Membership:

Criteria

• Current or former Registered or Associate membership.
• Payment of annual dues.ar, unless the applicant re-enrolls in a postsecondary interior design education program which is approved by Council.

Application Requirements

• Letter requesting transfer to this category of membership and stating effective date.

A Fellow Member is a current or former Registered Member or Associate Member who has been nominated by the IDA Council and has made outstanding contributions to the Association, has made outstanding contributions to the profession of interior design, is of good character and adheres to the ethical standards of the Association, and has been a member in good standing for a minimum of fifteen cumulative years, not including the years when they chose to be on leave.