Free NCIDQ IDPX podcast episodes designed to help you pass the Interior Design Professional Exam. Each episode breaks down concepts on CIDQ’s exam blueprint.
The IDPX focuses on construction administration and project management, with an emphasis on health, safety, and welfare.
The exam covers five content areas:
The IDPX is 115 questions over 3 hours. It’s the professional practice exam of the NCIDQ, covering how projects get managed, contracted, and built.
This is the Architect Exam Podcast, but don’t let the name fool you.
The topics covered in these episodes, from contracts and procurement to construction administration and project closeout, apply directly to the NCIDQ IDPX.
Architects and interior designers share the same foundational knowledge when it comes to health, safety, and welfare.
No need to take notes while you listen. For many episodes, we’ve already made a free two-page set of study notes for you – just go to the episode page and grab them.
The IDPX tests your knowledge of project management and construction administration for interior design projects. The biggest section is Contracts, Procurement, and Permitting at 28% of the exam. You’ll need to understand fee structures, types of agreements, the bid process, change management, site visits, punch lists, and project closeout procedures.
Yes, there’s significant overlap. The IDPX covers contracts, procurement, construction process, and closeout, which are the same topics tested on the ARE’s PcM, PjM, and CE exams. If you’re pursuing both certifications, studying for one directly helps with the other.
Most candidates find the Contracts, Procurement, and Permitting section the most challenging because it covers the broadest range of content at 28% of the exam. Understanding the different types of agreements, fee structures, the bid process, and the permitting workflow takes focused study time.
Architect insurance is one of those topics that nobody wants to think about until they absolutely have to. But understanding your coverage (from professional liability and errors and omissions insurance to claims-made policies, tail coverage,...
The A201 general conditions govern how construction projects actually work. Fifteen articles covering means and methods, the schedule of values, substantial completion, change orders, and dispute resolution for every party on the project. This...
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An ADA bathroom layout requires specific dimensions for turning space, toilet clearance, grab bar placement, sink height, and fixture reach ranges. But the numbers only make sense when you understand the physical experience behind...
QA vs QC is one of the most commonly confused topics in construction and architecture. Quality assurance (QA) prevents problems before they happen. Quality control (QC) finds and fixes them after the fact. This...
Study motivation is the single biggest barrier for ARE candidates who have the books, the courses, and the study plan but can’t seem to open any of them. If exam stress and decision fatigue...
Join Michael and Emily for a free CDT® certification presentation on August 6, 2026. Learn how CDT certification fits into your ARE or NCIDQ prep, the full CSI® certification landscape, the Fall 2026 exam schedule,...
Construction disputes and construction claims are an unavoidable part of working in the AEC industry. Whether you’re managing an active project or preparing for the ARE exam, knowing how to prevent, navigate, and resolve these...
The architect standard of care doesn’t mean perfect work. It means the level of skill and care that a reasonably competent architect would exercise under similar circumstances. If you’re studying for the ARE or...
Historic preservation defines four distinct approaches to working on historic buildings, and most people confuse at least two of them. A design team once spent weeks building a restoration plan for a beautiful old...
There is an architect at your firm making $50 an hour. But the client gets billed $150 for that same hour. Where does that $100 gap go? And what happens to your firm financially...
Most people working in architecture have worked under an AIA B101 for years without ever actually reading it. The contract gets signed, it sits in a drawer somewhere, and the entire team works under...
Understanding building area measurements is critical for architects, real estate professionals, and ARE candidates. This comprehensive guide explores the differences between gross area, rentable area, usable area, and net area (GRUN), explaining how these...
Understanding the different business entity types for architects is about as exciting as watching concrete cure, but it’s absolutely crucial for your architecture career. Whether you’re choosing between a sole proprietorship, LLC, PLLC, LLP,...
Learn the difference between owner’s consultants and architect’s consultants, including where the liability falls, what coordination actually requires, and how to protect yourself on the ARE and in practice. This podcast is also available...
The visual learner myth has convinced thousands of ARE candidates that watching videos is enough to pass the architect exam. It’s not. This post breaks down the learning pyramid, explains the difference between active...
When you open a set of specifications, you probably flip straight to the division you care about. Concrete? Division 03. Steel? Division 05. Finishes? Division 09. But general requirements, the very first division in...
Architectural specification writing is one of the most important skills in practice, and one of the least taught. Despite being legal contract documents that carry the same weight as your drawings, construction specifications are often...
The construction bidding process on public projects follows a strict, regulated path from completed drawings to breaking ground. This guide walks through all eight stages of the construction bid process, covering bid preparation, sealed bidding,...
Construction cost estimates are essential tools that help architects provide accurate budget guidance and make smart design decisions throughout every project phase. These estimates evolve from broad conceptual estimates with 25-50% accuracy to precise...