IDNS Membership Categories

There are various categories of IDNS membership available and the criteria is outlined in the Interior Designer’s Regulations. All members pay an annual membership dues which is set by the Association. It is mandatory for Registered, Non-Resident Registered and Inactive members to have the minimum levels of Commercial General Liability and Errors and Omissions insurance in accordance to the Interior Designer’s Regulations.  Only Registered members are issued a professional stamp and may use the designation “Registered Member of the Association of Interior Designers of Nova Scotia” or the letters “IDNS”.

The following is a summary of the membership categories available and an outline of the criteria. A detailed list of the criteria can be found in the Interior Designer’s Regulations.

Membership Categories

  • Registered
  • Intern
  • Inactive
  • Allied
  • Non-Resident Registered
  • Student

To become a Registered member, you must:

  • be actively engaged in the profession of interior design (defined as 1,000 hours in the past consecutive five years or 500 hours in the immediate past year).
  • have successfully completed the academic qualifications as outlined for Intern membership.
  • have an accumulation of seven years of education and active engagement in practical interior design experience
  • have passed the NCIDQ qualification examination.
  • be a permanent or usual resident of the province of Nova Scotia, (or a temporary resident outside the province of Nova Scotia for a maximum period of five years.).

To become an Intern member, you must:

  • be actively engaged in the profession of interior design, working in the practice under the supervision of an IDNS Registered member or a Registered member of the NSAA.
  • have successfully completed a minimum three year course in Interior Design at an institute accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.
  • be in the process of writing and successfully completing all sections of the NCIDQ qualification examination unless you have not yet accumulated the total seven year combined practical experience and education.
  • be a permanent or usual resident of the province of Nova Scotia.

An Inactive member is described as a previous Registered member who is;

  • currently not actively engaged in the profession of interior design.
  • in good standing with respect to the payment of membership fees and professional liability insurance.
  • a permanent or usual resident of the province of Nova Scotia, (or a temporary resident outside the province of Nova Scotia for a maximum period of five years).

To become an Allied member, you must:

  • have successfully completed the academic qualifications for Intern membership.
  • not be actively engaged in the practice of interior design.
  • be engaged in a full or part time teaching and/or directing interior design programs at post-secondary schools, colleges or universities, or is engaged in the manufacturing or supply of furnishings, materials or services used in the practice of interior design.

To become a Non-Resident Registered member, you must:

  • be actively engaged in the profession of interior design.
  • have a Registered membership or equal classification with his or her local provincial or state interior design association, or meet or exceed the requirements for Registered membership in the Association.
  • be a permanent or usual resident outside of the province of Nova Scotia.

To become a Student member, you must:

  • be enrolled at a university or college offering a minimum three year full-time degree or diploma course in interior design that is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.