| Topic | Details |
| Topic 1 | - Life Safety and Universal Design: This section of the exam measures skills of a Design Consultant and addresses the principles that protect occupants and ensure accessibility. Candidates demonstrate knowledge of life?safety requirements—such as egress paths, fire separation, and alarm coordination—as well as universal design strategies that accommodate diverse abilities and special?needs populations.
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| Topic 2 | - Technical Specifications for Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment and Lighting: This section of the exam measures skills of a Design Consultant and examines how to specify FF&E and lighting systems. Candidates demonstrate an understanding of life?safety requirements, sustainability metrics, material performance standards, and how to choose appropriate fixtures—considering factors like luminous efficacy, color rendering, and energy load—to meet functional and environmental goals.
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| Topic 3 | - Professional Development and Ethics: This section of the exam measures skills of a Design Consultant and emphasizes the importance of ethical practice and ongoing learning. Candidates demonstrate familiarity with professional codes of conduct, consumer?protection principles, and strategies for continuing education and engagement with industry organizations.
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| Topic 4 | - Relationship between Human Behavior and the Designed Environment: This section of the exam measures skills of a Design Consultant and covers interpreting how people interact with spaces. Examinees demonstrate an understanding of human factors—from ergonomic dimensions to social and cultural influences—and how universal design principles ensure accessibility and inclusivity, while also considering sensory impacts such as lighting, acoustics, and thermal comfort.
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