Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Best architectural designer certifications
The best certifications for an architectural designer are AutoCAD Certified Professional, LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED), and Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ).
Architectural designer certifications demonstrate your competency as an architectural designer to employers. However, not all architectural designer certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best architectural designer certifications. Obtaining an architectural designer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
10 best certifications for architectural designers
| Rank | Architectural designer certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AutoCAD Certified Professional | Autodesk, Inc... |
| 2 | LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED) | GBCI |
| 3 | Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) | CIDQ |
| 4 | Certified Professional Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 | Autodesk, Inc... |
| 5 | National Council Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) | NCIDQ |
| 6 | Certified Urban Designer (CUD) | APA |
| 7 | Certified Agile Developer (CAD) | GAQM |
| 8 | Master Project Manager (MPM) | AAPM |
| 9 | Oracle IT Architecture Release 3 Certified Architecture Specialist | Oracle |
| 10 | Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI |
10 best architectural designer certifications
1. AutoCAD Certified Professional
Those who possess more advanced skills and can solve complex workflow and design challenges will, in most cases, pursue recognition as Certified Professionals. Certification at this level demonstrates the skills needed to stand out from the competition and pursue career advancement.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
2. LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED)
For professionals with expertise in the design and construction phases of green buildings, serving the commercial, residential, education and healthcare sectors. The LEED BD+C exam is designed to measure your knowledge and skill in understanding the LEED Rating system and ability to facilitate the project certification process.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
3. Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ)
The NCIDQ Examination consists of three separate exam sections, the Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX), the Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX), and the Practicum Exam (PRAC), that measure a candidate's proficiency in interior design principles and application of knowledge to protect public health, safety and welfare. Two of the exams, IDFX and IDPX, are multiple choice exams.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
4. Certified Professional Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012
Those who possess more advanced skills and can solve complex workflow and design challenges will, in most cases, pursue recognition as Certified Professionals.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
5. National Council Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ)
Completion of the NCIDQ Examination recognizes that an individual has met minimum competency standards for the practice of interior design. NCIDQ's role includes the establishment of standards for education and experience and the administration of a minimum competency examination.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
6. Certified Urban Designer (CUD)
Advanced Specialty Certification in Urban Design recognizes an individual's knowledge, experience, and application of design principles.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
7. Certified Agile Developer (CAD)
Agile approaches help teams respond to unpredictability through incremental, iterative work cadences, known as sprints. Agile methodologies are an alternative to waterfall, or traditional sequential development. Agile, a popular method of delivering top-quality software on schedule through a collaborative, iterative approach. Certification helps in understanding the key principles of Agile software development, which promote faster release cycles, better deliverable's and the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. You’ll gain knowledge on policies and process improvements that can enhance interactions between developers and project and program managers. Agile software development, uses iterative, feature-driven, customer-focused Agile practices to develop applications that meet user requirements. In this certification, you also gain practical experience performing each role within an Agile team.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
8. Master Project Manager (MPM)
If you have 3+ years of Project Management Experience, you may apply for MPM™ Master Project Manager Board Certification.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
9. Oracle IT Architecture Release 3 Certified Architecture Specialist
The Oracle Technology Architecture Certified Specialist certification identifies professionals that are skilled in defining specific solutions that fit within the business environment. They can design, develop, document and deliver solution architectures, determine solution and map products to the solution. The certification covers Oracle Reference Architecture Overview, Application Infrastructure, Security, Engineering, Integration, Management and Monitoring, Service Orientation and User Interaction.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
10. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
What is the best certification for an architectural designer?
The best architectural designer certification is AutoCAD Certified Professional. The AutoCAD Certified Professional is awarded by the Autodesk, Inc. this certification tests for knowledge about the use of proprietary software or hardware products. It is used primarily for computer-related companies.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this architectural designer certification:
- To become a certified AutoCAD Certified Professional, you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every year.
What certifications can impact an architectural designer career and salary?
The National Council Certified Interior Designer certification will help you to secure an interior designer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An interior designer's average salary is $54,783 whereas architectural designers make an average salary of $59,122.
The most common combination of architectural designer certifications include: AutoCAD Certified Professional, LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED), and Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ).
Online courses for architectural designers to earn certifications
1. Software Design and Architecture
In the Software Design and Architecture Specialization, you will learn how to apply design principles, patterns, and architectures to create reusable and flexible software applications and systems. You will learn how to express and document the design and architecture of a software system using a visual notation.\n\nPractical examples and opportunities to apply your knowledge will help you develop employable skills and relevant expertise in the software industry...
2. Complete Course in AutoCAD: Architectural Working Drawings
Impress your Boss by making Professional & good-looking Architectural Working Drawings...
3. Software Architecture & System Design Practical Case Studies
Design Real-life Large Scale Systems, Practice Modern Software Architecture & Prepare for a System Design Interview...
4. Revit Architecture 2021 Course - Practical Approach
Learn by building real world projects in Revit. We will build two house modals through out the course...
5. Revit Architecture for Beginners
Revit Tutorial. Learn By Designing Real Buildings. Boost Your Portfolio. Practical Hands-on Revit Training Course...
6. The Complete Sketchup & Vray Course for Architectural Design
Learn the practical skills & techniques required to create a Modern Home with Sketchup, Vray Next & Photoshop...
7. Architectural Design Tools in Blender - 3D Design
Develop your creative and technical skills to create photo realistic architectural scenes and beautiful 3D models...
8. 3D Architectural Design with Blender: A Practical Approach
From Blueprint to Rendering: A Comprehensive Blender 3 Architectural Guide...
9. Learning Autodesk Revit Architecture 2016
Building Information Modeling for Architectural Design...
10. Blender 3.x Complete Architectural Design & Animation Course
Learn Blender Animation, 3D Modelling, 3D lighting: Full 3D House Construction Animation Project in Blender 3x...
11. Design Microservices Architecture with Patterns & Principles
Evolve from Monolithic to Event-driven Microservices Architecture with designing High Scalable and High Available system...
12. Fundamentals of Garden Design
An Introduction to Landscape Architecture and Design...
13. Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems
Become a Software Architect or Technical Lead by Mastering Software Architecture, System Design & Big Data Processing...
14. Solid Principles (2023) for Software Design & Architecture
Master SOLID Principles of software design and software Architecture and write clean code in C# object oriented design...
15. Enterprise Architecture: How to Design Models & Diagrams
Learn how to design best-practice Enterprise Architecture models & diagrams for any organization. Examples included!...
16. Adobe Photoshop Graphic Design
Design 4 Beautiful eye catching Graphic Design Projects from Scratch with Adobe Photoshop Graphic Design Basics...
17. Architecture Digital Collage
Communicating architecture in a compelling way...
18. System Design Interview Guide for Software Architecture
Mastering High Level System Design Interview Software Architecture case studies Design patterns Microservices...
19. 47 Graphic Design Projects for Photoshop Beginners
Photoshop graphic design for beginners! Includes 47 Photoshop projects for your graphic design portfolio...
20. Graphic Design Masterclass - Learn GREAT Design
The Ultimate Graphic Design Course Which Covers Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design,Design Theory, Branding and Logo Design...