Education and Certification
This page has been set up for the purpose of disseminating information about the process of becoming an interpreter, and becoming a nationally certified member of RID.

How do I become an interpreter?
One of the many ways that you can become a sign language interpreter is by going through an interpreter training program (ITP) There are many such programs around the country, and some of the best are right here in Indiana. Below, you will find the names and contact information for the ITPs in Indiana. These programs will teach you the necessary skills required to succeed in the interpreting profession.

Bethel College
Angela Myers

Bethel College
Department Chair

1001 Bethel Circle
Mishawaka IN 46545

574.257.2577

myersa@bethelcollege.edu
http://www.bethelcollege.edu/academics/undergrad/langlit/deaf_studies/

Goshen College
1700 South Main Street

Goshen, Indiana 46526 

Toll free: 1 (800) 348-7422
Local: (574) 535-7000
http://www.goshen.edu/mcll/asl/

Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI)
425 Cavanaugh Hall 502P

Indianapolis, IN 46202 

317-278-7806 TTY or Sorenson VP 

http://www.iupui.edu/~interprt/ 

interprt@iupui.edu
I’m a pre-certified interpreter working in the field, how do I become certified? What certifications are available to me?

After taking the written portion of the exam(For information on the written exam, go to http://www.rid.org), you need to schedule an appointment with the testing site of your choice to take the test. Click here for a link to the master list of RID testing sites.

The following are the available certifications available through RID:

NIC (National Interpreter Certificate)
For many years, the Certificate of Interpretation(CI) and certificate of Transliteration (CT) were a mainstay of RID’s testing process. These certifications are still valid and recognized by RID, but they are no longer offered for new applicants. The new RID test is called the National Interpreter Certificate (NIC).  Effectively, there are three portions to this test; written , performance, and interview. The interview portion is a relatively new concept to many interpreters as it focuses on how you as the interpreter would deal with an ethical scenario. This test offers three levels; NIC, NIC-Advanced, and NIC-Master. For more information, please go to RID’s website at http://www.rid.org.

Ed-K12 (Educational Certificate)
Those interpreters who hold this certification have taken and passed the written portion, and obtained a score of 4.0 or higher on the performance portion of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assesement (EIPA).  If a score of 4.0 or higher is obtained on the performance section of the test, applicants may apply to RID to be recognized as a Certified member of RID via a special membership application or calling the RID national office. The Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) is offered by Boystown Press Research Hospital. Interpreters may choose their preferred language mode [Signed exact English (SEE), Pidgin Signed English (PSE), or American Sign Language (ASL)], and the educational age level they are most comfortable with (Elementary or Secodnary). Raters will rate your performance exam and award a score ranging from 1.0 to 5.0. Click Here for more information on the EIPA.
There are also specialized certifications available through RID:

Oral Transliteration Certificate (OTC)

Many Deaf clients are accustomed to communicating orally. For those individuals, the OTC certificate ensures a high quality of service for effective communication.

SC:L (Specialist Certificate: Legal)

Interpreters working in the judicial system need to have a high level of knowledge and familiarity with legal terminology, and procedures. Holders of this certificate have proven that they possess a high level of skill to ensure highly effective communication in potentially high-stakes situations as are found in the legal system.

Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)

Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can obtain a certification known as Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI). These individuals are valuable in numerous specialized situations.

 

 

Last updated: 3-21-2010