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Students preparing to graduate or newer interpreters looking to get certified should investigate which of the following testing options best fit their career goals and employer requirements. Click on the following links for more detailed information.
Educational Sign Skills Evaluation (ESSE) $300
(This test is not recognized by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, but is accepted by some K-12 institutions)
The ESSE consists of several different tools: the ESSE:R (receptive), ESSE:I (interpreting), and ESSE:T (teacher). The ESSE:R is a videotaped evaluation of the ability of an individual to understand three different types of signing at three different levels (basic, intermediate and advanced): American Sign Language (ASL) Pidgin Signed English (PSE) Signing Exact English (SEE).
Level 3: Intermediate An interpreter at this level needs continued supervision and should be required to participate in continuing education in interpreting.
Level 4: Advanced Intermediate An individual at this level would be able to convey much of the classroom content but may have difficulty with complex topics or rapid turn taking.
Level 5: Advanced An individual at this level is capable of clearly and accurately conveying the majority of interactions within the classroom.
* Note Levels 1 & 2 are not recommended for classroom interpreting.
Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) $250 + possible additional local test administrator cost
(This test is recognized by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf with a score of 4.0 or above and only if the written exam is passed. It is also generally accepted by most K-12 institutions)
RID Ed: K-12
The EIPA takes around two hours to complete. You will have a 35-minute warm up period before taking both the ‘signing’ and ‘voicing’ portion of the test. The test uses videotapes of actual classroom lessons and of a student or teen signing. During the warm up period you will complete necessary paperwork and be given materials (print and videotape) to prepare you for the test. You also will have the opportunity to choose whether you are tested using ASL (with some PSE), PSE (with some ASL), or MCE (with some PSE). You can choose between interpreting elementary or secondary classrooms.
National Interpreter Certification (NIC) $340 Written + $425 NIC Interview & Performance ($240 + $325 respectively with RID membership)
(This test is recognized by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and is accepted for freelance agency work, post secondary institutions, video relay etc)
RID NIC, NIC Advanced or NIC Master
Beginning June 30, 2009, hearing candidates for certification must have a minimum of an associate’s degree to take a performance exam and effective June 30, 2012, candidates for RID certification must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. The National Testing System (NTS) involves two components to each test offered: a written test and a performance test. Once an interpreter passes both components, they are awarded certification. Written exam must be taken before their are considered a candidate for the performance and interview portion. The National Interpreter Certification (NIC) exam tests interpreting skills and knowledge in three critical domains: General knowledge of the field of interpreting through the NIC Knowledge exams Ethical decision making through the interview portion of the NIC Performance test Interpreting and transliterating skills through the performance portion of the test.
In all three domains, certificate holders must demonstrate professional knowledge and skills that meet or exceed the minimum professional standards necessary to perform in a broad range of interpretation and transliteration assignments.
NIC: Individuals who achieve the NIC level have passed the NIC Knowledge exam. They have also scored within the standard range of a professional interpreter on the interview and performance portions of the test.
NIC Advanced: Individuals who achieved the NIC Advanced level have passed the NIC Knowledge exam; scored within the standard range of a professional interpreter on the interview portion; and scored within the high range on the performance portion of the test.
NIC Master: Individuals who achieved the NIC Master level have passed the NIC Knowledge exam. They have scored within the high range of a professional interpreter on both the interview and performance portions of the test. Individuals who achieve any of the three NIC certification levels are to be commended.
Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) $140 Written + $225 Performance
(This test is recognized by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and is accepted for freelance agency work, post secondary institutions, video relay etc)
RID CDI
Beginning June 30, 2012, Deaf candidates must have a minimum of an associate’s degree and effective June 30, 2016, Deaf candidates must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to take a performance exam.
Holders of this certification are interpreters who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and who have completed at least eight hours of training on the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct; eight hours of training on the role and function of an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing; and have passed a comprehensive combination of written and performance tests. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of assignments where an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing would be beneficial.
An individual interested in taking the CDI written exam must satisfy all of the eligibility criteria. Applicants for the CDI written exam must attach appropriate documentation showing eligibility to sit for the test and are not considered registered until all eligibility documentation and fees have been processed by the national office.
Applicants must submit:
- Verification that applicant is deaf or hard-of-hearing. A physician’s or audiologist’s verification of hearing loss is required. The applicant is responsible for providing this documentation with the application.
- Verification of having completed at least 8 hours of training on the RID Code of Professional Conduct (documentation must indicate date(s), location(s) and duration of training).
- Verification of having completed at least 8 hours of training on the role and function of a deaf interpreter (documentation must indicate date(s), location(s) and duration of training).
