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.
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...
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...
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 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 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...
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...
Test taking strategies are the difference between candidates who walk out of the testing center confident and candidates who studied just as hard but felt blindsided by how the questions were worded. If you’re...
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 and the ARE exam. Whether you’re choosing between a...
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...
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 liquidated damages is critical for architects, contractors, and ARE candidates preparing for the architect registration examination. This comprehensive guide covers the liquidated damages definition, how a liquidated damages clause works, where they appear in...
QA vs QC is one of the most commonly confused topics in architecture and construction. Quality assurance (QA) prevents problems before they happen. Quality control (QC) finds and fixes them after the fact. This...
Understanding “no exceptions taken” and mastering construction submittals is essential for ARE success and professional practice. This comprehensive guide explains the submittal process, types, and review actions that translate design intent into construction reality....
Cast-in-place concrete creates monolithic structural systems by pouring a concrete mix into formwork on-site. This guide covers span limitations, rebar sizing, construction defects like honeycombing, and when to choose concrete over steel or pre-tensioned...
Join Michael and Emily for a free webinar exploring CSI® certifications. Learn how these credentials fit into your ARE or NCIDQ prep and can boost your architecture career while you’re already doing the work. Whether...
Understanding what is a change order in construction is essential for every architect, contractor, and project manager. Construction change orders are formal contract amendments that require agreement from all three parties, and they always cost...
The RFI meaning in construction is straightforward: it stands for Request for Information. An RFI in construction is a formal document used during the building process to clarify unclear, missing, or conflicting information in...
Discover why CDT® certification is becoming the strategic advantage for ARE candidates seeking to accelerate their licensing journey. This industry-recognized credential fills critical knowledge gaps, builds professional confidence, and provides the comprehensive project delivery understanding...
The AIA C401 Standard Form of Agreement Between Architect and Consultant establishes clear relationships, communication protocols, and liability protection between architects and their design consultants. This essential AIA contract document protects all parties through...