The AKBD academic exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that tests both kitchen and bathroom competencies. The exam must be completed within a 3-hour time frame. The examination itself is divided into 4 major content categories as outlined in NKBA's Role Delineation Study. These content categories are: Planning & Design, Construction/ Mechanical Systems, Business Management, and Products/Materials. Approximately 40% of the exam questions are related to Planning and Design, 22% related to Construction/Mechanical Systems, 18% to Business Management and 20% to Products/Materials.

Beginning in March 2008, the NKBA is transitioning the AKBD examination to a computer-based format. After March 15, 2008, the exam will no longer be offered in the traditional paper and pencil based format. In September 2008, the transition will be complete and the AKBD exam will ONLY be provided as a computer-based exam. The exam still consists of 200 questions and is subject to a three (3) hour time limit.

The CKD and CBD design/practical exams are hand drafted design scenarios which must be completed within a six (6) hour time frame. These exams test practical skills in space planning, placement of fixtures, fitting knowledge, and basic presentation skills. The candidate is required to produce four (4) project documents: a floor plan, construction/mechanical plan, elevation plan, and complete an NKBA specifications form. Scoring is divided into the following content categories: Graphic and presentation standards = 24%; Design Solution (Planning and Safety Floor Plan) = 33%; Elevation Plan = 7%; Mechanical/ Construction Plan = 13%; Specifications = 23%. The CKD and CBD design exams also serve as the credential exam for CKE and CBE certifications.

The academic examinations are scored by CASTLE Worldwide, Inc. The CKD and CBD design/practical exams are scored by a panel of NKBA certified jurors in conjunction with CASTLE Worldwide, Inc. Each exam is scored independently by two different jurors. Juror reliability is continually monitored by the NKBA and CASTLE Worldwide, Inc.

Upon completion of the certification exams, candidates receive a sealed copy of their test scores from CASTLE Worldwide, Inc. (usually within 12 weeks). The NKBA also receives a printed copy of each candidate's score. If a candidate does not successfully pass either the academic or design exam, they are mailed an exam registration form so that they may re-apply for the next exam. A new application is not required for exam retakes, unless the candidate has a lapse in testing greater than two years; in that event, a new application and $75 application fee would be required. Registration forms for exam retakes must be submitted to the NKBA at least 6 weeks before the following exam date.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association is pleased to announce that it will offer candidates taking its design exams the option of using the traditional paper and pencil hand drafting approach or using a modified CAD program, effective September 20, 2008. These candidates are testing to obtain NKBA certification status as a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD), Certified Kitchen Educator (CKE), Certified Bath Designer (CBD) and/or Certified Bath Educator (CBE).

The new application form allows candidates to choose if they prefer hand drafting or CAD. If they choose CAD, they will be prompted to select the program they prefer. Initially, there are three choices: 20-20 Technologies, Autokitchen/AutoCAD and Fusion (formerly Planit's Fusion). In the future, other CAD options may be available.

The software provided for the NKBA exams by these companies is heavily modified. All automated features are disabled and no warnings appear when a designer violates an NKBA Guideline. There are also no automatic elevations. To avoid using renderings or perspectives to verify the accuracy of an elevation, these features are disabled. A candidate must demonstrate his or her proficiency by manually placing cabinets and appliances on the elevation in the same manner as a candidate using hand drafting. The result is that no candidate, whether taking the design exam via hand drafting or CAD, has an unfair advantage over another. Since the software is different from what candidates are used to working with, qualified registered candidates will be provided a copy of the test version of the software at no charge to practice for the exam.

This step forward is the result of more than a year's efforts by the Ad Hoc CAD Design Committee chaired by Ralph Lackner, CKD, CBD. The three companies chosen for the initial rollout are the most widely used, according to a recent NKBA survey. All three companies agreed to modify their software per the NKBA's requirements at no charge to the Association and they have also agreed to supply candidates with free test software. This software will be thoroughly tested by the NKBA and by CASTLE Worldwide, who administers NKBA exams, prior to the summer of 2008.

The NKBA is proud to provide this alternative to exam candidates. For more information, please contact NKBA Customer Service at (800) THE-NKBA or visit www.nkba.org.

Prep Courses: for CKD/CBD Exams
1 Day Courses

Kitchen Starter - EXPO Hosted
Date: 8/26/2008
Location: Orange
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Bath Starter - EXPO Hosted
Date: 8/27/2008
Location: Orange
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Kitchen & Bath Krafter - EXPO Hosted
Date: 9/23/2008
Location: Orange
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Kitchen & Bath Lighting...Made Easy - EXPO Hosted
Date: 9/26/2008
Location: Orange
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Job Installation & Project Management
Date: 11/10/2008
Location: Orange
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Kitchen & Bath Krafter - EXPO Hosted
Date: 11/11/2008
Location: Orange
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Documenting Kitchen Design Course
Date: 11/11/2008
Location: Orange
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Documenting Bath Design Course
Date: 11/13/2008
Location: Orange
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.AKBD–September 20–October 4, 2008 (Applications due June 27, 2008)
See CASTLE Worldwide Exam Locations
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CKD/CBD Design Portion-September 20, 2008
(Applications due June 27, 2008)
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Earn CEUs on the Internet

These one-hour sessions, led by experienced NKBA instructors and other industry leaders, will cover a wide array of topics with focused discussions from our Professional Resource Library like "Venting Kitchens and Baths" to business topics like "To Fee or not to Fee" to sales skills topics like "Selling the Upgrade".  Not only will these webinars provide you with an excellent and convenient opportunity to hear, see and discuss an assortment of topics, they are a great way to earn NKBA CEUs.  Each webinar will  qualify for .1 CEU and 1 NKBA hour. The cost for each webinar will be $100 per one-hour session.

To participate, you will need high speed internet access and a telephone. Both MAC and Windows users may participate.  For seminar topics, dates, and times please refer to http://www.nkba.org/education_wbt.aspx.  These offerings will be updated on a continual basis.  Registration for these webinars can be done via our website or by calling NKBA's Customer Service at 1-800-843-6522. 

Sign up now for NKBA's Web-Based Series

The NKBA is pleased to announce that the first web-based series of courses is now here!  These programs are a great way for you to earn your NKBA hours, or CEUs.  These web-based series are in-depth programs of study and meet two or three days a week online from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm until the course is complete.  Once the course is completed a quiz will be given online to each participant.

The current schedule is as follows:

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For a complete list of education courses offered through the NKBA Click Here.