Where is the exam given?

See Exam Locations for a list of exam centers for upcoming test administrations. Exact locations (street addresses, room numbers) are not provided until registration is complete and exam admission letters are issued.

Do I have to take the exam in my home state or province?

No. You can take the exam at any available exam location. Results will be sent to your home jurisdiction regardless of where you take the exam.

The exam is not offered near my home. Does NCIDQ pay for travel to the nearest exam center?

No. Your employer may be able to help defray the cost of traveling to the nearest exam center. In some areas, the exam is offered only once a year. In this case, you can defer until the next opportunity to take the exam in your area.

I am traveling to the exam center. Can you recommend a hotel?

Exam locations are subject to change, so NCIDQ does not maintain a list of recommended hotels. You can check with local schools or tourism offices for recommendations. If you need to book a room before you know the exact exam location, we suggest you stay in a central location with good access to highways, as exam centers are sometimes located in suburban areas. You may need a car to get to the exam center.

What supplies can I bring to the exam center?

Sections I and II (multiple-choice)
  • #2 (HB) pencils
  • Eraser (not electric)
  • Battery-powered calculator*

    Section III (practicum)
  • #2 (HB) pencils
  • Eraser (not electric)
  • Battery-powered calculator*
  • Pens
  • Drafting pencils
  • Highlighters/markers
  • Manual pencil sharpener
  • Tracing paper
  • Graph/grid paper
  • Architectural scale
  • Triangles
  • Mass-produced templates (floor plan is in 1/8" scale)**
  • T-square
  • Tape
  • Portable drafting board or flat illustration board***
  • Related small drafting equipment/tools
  • Post-it notes
  • White-out

    *Calculators with single memory are permitted. Calculators with advanced memory storage, programming, communicating or printing capabilities are NOT allowed.

    **Home-made templates (drawn or printed with a computer) are NOT allowed.

    ***Drafting tables will NOT be provided at the exam center. Portable boards must fit within the 30"D x 48"W flat work surface area provided. You will execute your work on 11"x17" exam sheets provided to you at the exam center.

    • Are furniture templates permitted for Section III (practicum)?

    Yes. They must be mass-produced, not home-made (on computer or by hand). Photocopied templates are not permitted. The floor plan in Part 1 is drawn in 1/8" scale.

    Do I need to do the Section III (practicum) drawings in pencil or pen?

    You can complete your Section III (practicum) drawings in pencil or pen, whichever works better for you. Most candidates use pencil.

    Should I call the testing facility to find out if they have drafting tables?

    No. If drafting tables are present in your testing room, they will be laid flat and the parallel arm(s) will be taped down. We cannot provide drafting tables to all candidates at every location, so we must level the playing field by providing a flat surface without parallel arms to all candidates. You can bring your own portable drafting board and rest it on top of the work surface. If you bring your own board, you may use the mayline/parallel arm that is integrated into your board. However, many candidates successfully complete the exam without a drafting board.

    Can I bring my cell phone or PDA?

    You may NOT have your cell phone, PDA or any other electronic device with you in the exam room. We suggest you leave your electronic devices in your car or at home. If you choose to bring your devices with you, you must turn them off and give them to the proctor at the beginning of the exam. They will be returned to you when you complete the exam.

    Can I bring a dictionary or reference materials?

    No. You may not bring any books or reference materials, including dictionaries (English, technical or language), to the exam center.

    Are food and beverages permitted during the exam?

    You will not be allowed to consume food or beverages in the testing room during the exam. Food and beverages may be consumed in a break area outside the testing room, as designated by the test site administrator. You can also bring your lunch for the break between exam sections. Be sure to bring secure containers for your food and beverages, as open containers will not be permitted in the testing room.

    Why is your food and beverage policy so restrictive?

    To provide a clean and quiet environment for the exam, we cannot allow candidates to eat or drink in the testing room. Before we instituted this policy, there were problems with spilled beverages and food odors.

     

     













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