New Certification Process for NKBA

In an effort to improve industry standards while simplifying the certification process, the National Kitchen & Bath Associa­tion has altered its design certification program. The group introduced the new Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD) certification, which calls for more rigorous continuing education unit (CEU) requirements and more convenient access to testing. All changes will go into effect on July 1, 2016.

The CKBD is a combination of two of the association’s existing certifications: Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Certified Bath De­signer (CBD). The new certifica­tion will identify a CKBD expert through a single, consolidated exam.

Individuals who already hold CKD and CBD certifications will get to keep them, but those exams will no longer be offered. Instead, to earn the new certification, professionals who already have a CKD need only take the bath portion of the CKBD, and those who have a CBD need only take the kitchen component.

“The NKBA recognizes the importance of maintaining professional development and design certifications, and we want to strengthen these standards and, at the same time, allow students and non-certified members better access to these training resources,” Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO, said in a statement.

Another change is that NKBA members will now be required to earn 20 CEU hours for every two-year cycle, up from 12 hours. The increase was recommended by the association’s Certification Task Force.

Candidates who want to apply for NKBA certifications can now do it year-­round at more than 300 testing facilities in the U.S. and Canada. Also, students participating in an NKBA college program can now take the Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer (AKBD) exam before they graduate, provided they have completed at least 85 percent of their kitchen and bath coursework.