Privacy Policy
Thank you for visiting the Web site of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (“NCIDQ”). This privacy policy ("Privacy Policy") explains NCIDQ practices for information collected via the Web site, how such information is used, the circumstances under which NCIDQ discloses such information to third parties and the choices Customers can make about the way NCIDQ uses and shares such information. Please take the time to read and understand this Privacy Policy to understand how NCIDQ uses personal information. The goal of this policy is to allow NCIDQ to provide valuable services to its Members and Customers without compromising the safety or privacy of any individual. Personal information will be protected by the security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information. NCIDQ will maintain adequate physical, procedural and technical security with respect to its offices and information storage facilities so as to prevent any loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, or modification of personal information collected and retained. Continued use of the Web site indicates a Customer’s acceptance of this Privacy Policy and of the collection, use, disclosure, management and storage of a Customer’s personal information as described herein. This Privacy Policy will remain in full force and effect as long as a Customer is a user of the Web site, even if such use of or participation in any particular service, feature, function or promotional activity terminates, expires, ceases, is suspended or deactivated for any reason.
Personal Information: During the exam application and record maintenance, IDEP, CE tracking, exam registration, publication ordering and other services and products processes offered by NCIDQ, NCIDQ gathers personal information regarding Certificate holders, potential Certificate holders, Web site users, and other individuals who are interested in NCIDQ's services and products (hereinafter collectively referred to herein as "Customers"). "Personal Information" includes any factual or subjective information, that identifies the Customer as a specific individual (for example: name, address, telephone number, email address, education, work experience, exam passing dates, order history, and any other information that would allow someone to identify or contact the Customer). Personal information also includes information about a Customer’s personal preferences, survey or application responses and the Customer’s transactions or relationship with NCIDQ, if the Customer has been a user of the Web site or has provided this type of information to NCIDQ or its affiliates.
Use of Personal Information: NCIDQ uses the demographic and professional information collected by NCIDQ for aggregate analysis, to personalize NCIDQ's records for better service and to create targeted postal and email mailing lists and to protect the public by allowing Web site users to search for active Certificate holders.
In addition to the primary purpose stated or implied at the time the information is collected, NCIDQ uses postal and e-mail addresses to confirm orders, follow up on a request, etc., as the context determines, and to send Customers information about NCIDQ programs or products, surveys, etc. With approval of the Board of Directors, NCIDQ may also make its postal or e-mail addresses available to allied not-for-profit organizations, non-Member Boards governing interior designers or to companies offering NCIDQ Customers benefits.
NCIDQ may use the information it obtains from its Customers, including personal information, to tailor their experience on the Web site, to display content that may be of interest to the Customer, or to let NCIDQ customize what the Customer sees when he/she visits the Web site according to the Customer’s preferences. NCIDQ will use the personal information Customers provide online only for the purpose(s) they have submitted. Examples of using personal information for the purpose(s) submitted include sending the Customer an email about updates to the Web site or about an upcoming event if the Customer has signed up for updates. NCIDQ also may conduct an occasional survey of its registered users to see how the Web site can better serve its Customers. In addition, NCIDQ may send Customers an e-mail offering products or services that Customers may be interested in. Finally, NCIDQ may share its Customers’ information with organizations that are affiliated with or related to NCIDQ, its affiliates in connection with the provision of their respective information, products, materials and services or for marketing and/or administrative purposes. If a Customer wants NCIDQ to stop using the personal information he/she provided in these ways, he or she should contact NCIDQ at info@ncidq.org.
NCIDQ may collect certain non-personally identifiable information (i.e., generic information that does not identify a Customer personally) when Customers visit the NCIDQ Web site, such as the type of browser a Customer is using (e.g., Netscape, Internet Explorer), the type of operating system a Customer is using (e.g., Windows 2000 or Mac OS), and the domain name of a Customer’s Internet service provider (e.g., America Online or Earthlink). NCIDQ also may collect personal information about a Customer when he/she visits the Web site and inputs information, whether the Customer is registering to use any services, features or functions of the Web site, or otherwise in the course of any other exchanges of information, transactions and activities.
Release of Personal Information: NCIDQ shall endeavor at all times to maintain a candidate's personally identifying information as confidential. NCIDQ shall hold candidate scores in confidence, available only to the candidate and to persons or organizations approved in writing by candidate. NCIDQ shall maintain in confidence all biographical data such as sex, grade or education level attained, date of birth, race/ethnic group, or years of experience on the answer sheet for examinations; provided, however, NCIDQ may publish aggregated, non-identifying information based on such data.
In addition, NCIDQ will not share the personal information provided except (a) as otherwise permitted under this Privacy Policy; (b) if it is for the purpose(s) the Customer provided it; (c) with the Customer’s consent (as defined below); (d) as may be required by law or as NCIDQ determines is necessary to protect NCIDQ or others from injury (e.g., in response to a court order or subpoena, in response to a law enforcement agency request, or when NCIDQ believes that someone is causing, or about to cause, injury to or interference with the rights or property of another); (e) with other persons or companies or affiliated or related organizations with whom NCIDQ contracts to carry out internal Web site operations or NCIDQ business activities (for example, third-party contractors -- see below); (f) In the event of a bankruptcy, merger, acquisition, transfer of control, joint venture or other business combination involving NCIDQ or its affiliates; and/or (g) to notify a Customer when NCIDQ makes changes to one of its subscriber agreements or this policy. NCIDQ business needs may change from time to time and NCIDQ reserves the right to make changes to its Privacy Policy. NCIDQ will not use a Customer’s personal information in a manner inconsistent with this Privacy Policy, however, without first obtaining the Customer’s consent to do so. If intended uses differ from this policy, NCIDQ will seek to obtain the Customer’s consent at the place where the information is collected either by an "opt-in" or "opt-out" method, or by other means (such as sending the Customer an email).
NCIDQ operations and maintenance contractors sometimes have limited access to its Customers’ personal information in the course of providing products or services to NCIDQ. These contractors include vendors and suppliers that provide NCIDQ with email distribution technology, services, and/or content for the operation and maintenance of the NCIDQ Web site. Access to Customers’ personal information by these contractors is limited to the information reasonably necessary for the contractor to perform its limited function for NCIDQ. NCIDQ also contractually requires that NCIDQ operations and maintenance contractors, 1) protect the privacy of its Customers’ personal information consistent with this Privacy Policy, and 2) not use or disclose its Customers’ personal information for any purpose other than providing NCIDQ with products and services as required by law.
NCIDQ is committed to protecting its Customers’ privacy. NCIDQ maintains reasonable physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to guard its Customers’ personal information and while no data transmission over the Internet is 100% secure from intrusion, NCIDQ has used and will continue to use reasonable efforts to ensure the protection of its Customers’ personal information.
NCIDQ allows active Certificate holders to make public certain information in their MyNCIDQ account to display in the QSearch feature.
Consent
- NCIDQ will obtain written consent to release Personal Information on the NCIDQ Exam application; or
- NCIDQ will endeavor to obtain consent by allowing active Certificate holders the option to make public certain information for display on a searchable database; or
- Customer provides implied consent: NCIDQ can reasonably conclude that the Customer has given consent by some action, or decision not to take action. NCIDQ will rely on an individual's implied consent to use and disclose Personal Information.
Withdraw of Consent: Customer may withdraw consent by providing written direction to NCIDQ to withhold such Personal Information, provided there are no legal requirements to prohibit disclosure. Please be aware that NCIDQ will provide information regarding a Customer to its Members or other state or provincial organizations that have jurisdiction over interior designers without the Customer's further consent.
Access to and Correction of Information: Upon written request, a Customer may review his/her personal information that NCIDQ has on file at NCIDQ Headquarters at a convenient date and time for both parties; provided, however, that any Personal Information collected in connection with, or in anticipation of, any claim or legal proceeding will not be made available. If the Customer notifies NCIDQ in writing, and if applicable, provides supporting documentation, that any Personal Information is incorrect, NCIDQ will review it and if NCIDQ agrees to the change, NCIDQ will correct its records. If NCIDQ does not agree, the Customer may submit a short statement of dispute, which NCIDQ will include in any future disclosure of the disputed Personal Information.
Modifications: NCIDQ reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy at any time. NCIDQ will post the latest version of this Policy on its Web site and any changes will be duly noted on the Web site for thirty days from the date of any change.
Examination Confidentiality Policy
Thank you for visiting the Web site of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (“NCIDQ”). This Examination Confidentiality Policy outlines the responsibility of the Examination Candidate during and after the course of his or her participation with NCIDQ and its Examination. Please take the time to read and understand this policy. The goal of this policy is to allow NCIDQ to provide valuable services to its Members and Customers by protecting its copyrighted material. Acknowledgement of this policy prior to Examination Registration indicates a Customer’s acceptance of this Examination Confidentiality Policy. This policy will remain in full force and effect indefinitely upon acceptance of the policy.
Examination Confidentiality
The examination is the sole and exclusive property of NCIDQ and may not be used in any way without the express written consent of NCIDQ. NCIDQ will protect the integrity of the Examination through rigorous copyright and confidentiality enforcement processes.
All candidates must agree to abide by this Examination Confidentiality Policy and the NCIDQ Statement of Responsibility as a condition for registering for any Examination sections.
NCIDQ reserves the right to impose any sanctions it believes appropriate for testing or confidentiality irregularities. Sanctions may include but are not limited to confiscation of unauthorized materials, legal notices, cancellation of admission to the exam, dismissal from the Examination center, cancellation of scores and/or suspension from future Examination administrations. NCIDQ can also seek to collect financial damages, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, test reprinting and shipping costs and costs associated with the development of new test content.
Pending resolution of any testing or confidentiality irregularity, the NCIDQ Executive Director shall have the authority to place a hold on any exam application, admission letter or score report until the Board of Directors has determined the appropriate course of action and whether the issuance of sanctions is warranted. Applicants or candidates shall be notified in writing if their application, admission letter or score report is on hold.
Board decisions on sanctions are final. Applicants or candidates shall be notified in writing of any Board decision regarding their Examination status. NCIDQ reserves the right to release information regarding an individual’s noncompliance with NCIDQ policies or with the policies of other private voluntary credentialing organizations, and the pendency or outcome of NCIDQ investigations into irregularities to state and federal authorities, licensing boards, employers and others. This includes, but is not limited to, any relevant state boards of registration or professional associations by which an applicant or candidate seeks licensure, certification or other form of recognition by virtue of his/her participation in the NCIDQ Examination.
No refunds of any fees shall be granted as a result of any sanctions levied.
The following are examples of testing or confidentiality irregularities subject to action by NCIDQ:
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Unauthorized Access to Devices or Materials Outside Testing Room
Electronic devices and written materials may not be accessed at any time during the Examination, except for candidates testing under approved special accommodations conditions. Any personal items placed in lockers or other storage areas outside the testing room may be accessed by candidates only during a scheduled break. Proctors will file a report identifying any candidate observed accessing unauthorized devices or materials during any unscheduled break.
The use of or reference to any device or any written materials during the Examination outside the testing room is strictly prohibited (other than as authorized for persons testing under approved special accommodations conditions) and will conclusively be presumed to be for purposes of assistance on the NCIDQ Examination.
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Unauthorized Devices or Materials in Testing Room
No electronic or other devices whatsoever (whether in the “on” or “off” position) and no written materials of any kind are permitted in the testing room, except for persons testing under approved special accommodations conditions. Prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, calculators with memory, cell phones, pagers, personal digital assistants, text messaging devices, audio or video recording devices, scanners, language translators and other devices. Prohibited written materials include, but are not limited to, any notes, books or written material whatsoever, whether or not related to the NCIDQ Examination. Proctors will file a report identifying any candidate observed accessing unauthorized materials in the testing room.
The use of or reference to any device or any written materials in the testing room is strictly prohibited (other than as authorized for persons testing under approved special accommodations conditions) and will conclusively be presumed to be for purposes of assistance on the NCIDQ Examination.
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Dissemination of NCIDQ Examination Content
Disclosure through any means of the substance or details of any test questions or graphics and/or alleged answers is strictly prohibited. Disclosure includes, but is not limited to, any attempt to use devices such as cameras, audio, or scanning devices to record or transmit test content at or from the testing room; any attempt, including Web site and forum/blog postings, to reproduce, paraphrase, summarize or describe any test content from memory after leaving the testing room, whether by means of a recitation or description of the content or details of any test question, the depiction or description of vignettes or other graphic representations of test questions, the description or depiction of alleged answers to written or graphic questions, or other means. Improper disclosure includes both the initial disclosure by a test taker and the further dissemination of NCIDQ Examination content by others.
These prohibitions on disclosure also apply to forwarding, re-posting or other dissemination of NCIDQ Examination content that others have disclosed.
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Removing/Reproducing Test Materials From the Exam
No one is permitted to make or keep copies, excerpts or notes of examination materials. Test documents and notes must remain in the examination room. Removing or reproducing any test material by any means is prohibited.
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Seeking Assistance During the Exam
Anyone giving or receiving assistance of any kind will have all test materials taken away and will be asked to leave the room and may be subject to other sanctions.
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Seeking NCIDQ Examination Content
A candidate or anyone else who willfully obtains or seeks to obtain NCIDQ Examination content disclosed by others is also subject to sanctions.
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Other Prohibited Behaviors
NCIDQ prohibits certain behaviors, including (but not limited to): copying test questions; copying answers; permitting another to copy answers; falsifying information required for admission to an examination; impersonating another examinee; and taking the examination for any reason other than for the purpose of seeking a Certificate or as required by a member board for the purpose of license/registration/certification reinstatement.