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Best senior designer certifications

Senior designer certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an senior designer to employers. However, not all senior designer certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a senior designer are Engineer In Training Certification (EIT), Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), and Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP).

Below is a list of the best senior designer certifications. Obtaining an senior designer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

9 best senior designer certifications

1. Engineer In Training Certification (EIT)

The EIT Certification, which is formally known as the Engineer In Training Certification, is simply a document, a number, granted by the individual’s state engineering board after they pass the Engineer In Training Exam. The Engineer in Training Exam (EIT Exam) is the first of two exams you will take as you move towards obtaining your Professional Engineering License (PE). This exam, which you may also hear referred to as the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE Exam), is developed and administered in all states (and a number of locations outside the US) by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The FE Exam is offered to eligible students year-round in four different testing windows.

Certification details
  • 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

2. 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.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying website
Certified Interior Designer
Certifying organization
Council for Interior Design...

3. Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP)

Certification details
  • 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)

4. 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.

Certification details
  • 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

5. 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.

Certification details
  • 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? 
Certifying organization
Autodesk, Inc.

6. 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.

Certification details
  • 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? 

7. Certified Interconnect Designer (CID)

IPC Designers Certification is a powerful credential in promoting your role, expertise, and commitment to excellence to everyone involved in the production of printed circuit boards and assemblies. Printed circuit board designers deserve the benefits and recognition of certification as industry trends such as outsourcing and concurrent engineering are elevating the importance of the designer.

Certification details
  • 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)

8. Professional Certified Marketer (PCM)

Being a top marketer means continually enhancing your skills as well as highlighting your accomplishments. The American Marketing Association's Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) program gives you a tangible, convenient way to do both. You can earn the PCM designation by passing a comprehensive exam covering the key areas of marketing. Developed with input from hundreds of marketing experts, the PCM program meets strict national professional certification criteria and standards for excellence in marketing.

Certification details
  • 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? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Marketing Association

9. Certified Technology Specialist-Design (CTS-D)

A Certified Technology Specialist-Design (CTS-D) is an AV systems designer who assesses client's needs, designs AV systems and prepares AV design documents, by coordinating and collaborating with other professionals to create AV systems that satisfy clients requirements.

Certification details
  • 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 a senior designer?

The best senior designer certification is Engineer In Training Certification (EIT). The Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) is awarded by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this senior designer certification:

  • To become a certified Engineer In Training Certification (EIT), you don't need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • No renewal for certification, if you earn it once it is valid all time.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for senior designers?

The most in-demand senior designer certification is AutoCAD Certified Professional based on all active job postings. Having this senior designer certification will give you access to more senior designer jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact a senior designer career and salary?

The Certified Interconnect Designer certification will help you to secure a senior pcb designer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A senior pcb designer's average salary is $98,696 whereas senior designers make an average salary of $102,058.

Best certifications

The most common combination of senior designer certifications include: Engineer In Training Certification (EIT), Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), and Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP).

Online courses for senior designers to earn certifications

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