Interpreter Credentials

While many of Interpreter Training Programs offer two-year associate degrees, bachelors and masters degrees in interpreting, holding a degree is not presently a prerequisite in the field.

However, like many other professions, appropriate credentials can be a useful indication of an interpreter's qualifications.

The Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf (RID) and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) certify interpreters based on interpreting skill level. The RID certification test requires interpreters to demonstrate their skills and knowledge regarding language, communication, the interpreting process, ethics, culture and professionalism. RID tests include a written test and a performance test. Alternately, an NAD certification test required interpreters to demonstrate their interpreting skills and knowledge of ethics through a performance test which encompasses an interview.

Common RID certifications include:

Common NAD certifications are:

There new NAD/RID joint interpreter certification exam is called the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) and contains three (3) levels:

All certified interpreters (NAD and RID) must continue their skill development through the RID Certification Maintenance Program(CMP). To retain certification, interpreters must earn eight (8.0) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) (80 hours of documented professional development experiences) within four years.

The SCIRT Project is funded by the South Carolina Department of Education and administered by the South Carolina Association of the Deaf.