You don’t need a degree, but you might need a certification depending on where you live. Check your local laws—some states require a license for residential design.
If you do need a credential, look for online certificates. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) is the big one, but you can often qualify for the exam with experience alone (plus some extra classes).
You can also take short courses at community colleges or online platforms like Coursera. They’re cheap, fast, and give you a shiny PDF to show clients. It’s a degree’s cousin, but way more fun.
