CI (Certificate of Interpretation) - Holders of this certificate are recognized as fully certified in interpretation and have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English in both sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign. The interpreter's ability to transliterate is not considered in this certification. Holders of the CI are recommended for a broad range of interpretation assignments. This test is currently available.

CT (Certificate of Transliteration) - Holders of this certificate are recognized as fully certified in transliteration and have demonstrated the ability to transliterate between English-based sign language and spoken English in both sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign. The translaterator's ability to interpret is not considered in this certification. Holders of the CT are recommended for a broad range of transliteration assignments. This test is currently available.

CI and CT (Certificate of Interpretation and Certificate of Transliteration) - Holders of both full certificates have demonstrated competence in both interpretation and transliteration and have the same flexibility of job acceptance as holders of the CSC listed below. Holders of the CI and CT are recommended for a broad range of interpretation and transliteration assignments.

CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter) - Holders of this certification are interpreters who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing and who have demonstrated a minimum of one year experience working as an interpreter, completion of at least 8 hours of training on the RID Code of Ethics, and 8 hours of training in general interpretation as it relates to the interpreter who is Deaf or hard-of-hearing. 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. This test is being revised and is not currently available.

CSC (Comprehensive Skills Certificate) - Holders of this full certificate have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language and spoken English and to transliterate between spoken English and a English-based sign language. The CSC examination was offered until 1987. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of interpreting and transliterating assignments. This test is no longer offered.

SC:L (Specialist Certificate: Legal) - Holders of this specialist certificate have demonstrated specialized knowledge of legal settings and greater familiarity with language used in the legal system. Generalist certification and documented training and experience is required prior to sitting for this exam. Holders of the SC:L are recommended for a broad range of assignments in the legal setting. This test is currently available.

*This is a brief listing of RID certifications. Full descriptions are available at www.rid.org.

National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Certification Levels

Level V (Master) - The Level V Certification indicates that the interpreter is a master interpreter. The interpreter very rarely demonstrates difficulty in any interpreting situation.
Level IV (Advanced) - The Level IV Certification indicates that the interpreter is an advanced interpreter. The interpreter does very well in voice-to-sign. The interpreter demonstrates little difficulty in sign-to-voice. The interpreter may demonstrate oddities in sign style, choice of signs used; however, the interpreter demonstrates the skill necessary for just about any interpreting situation.

*This is a brief listing of NAD certifications. Full descriptions are available at www.nad.org.

Wisconsin Interpreting Transliterating Assessment (WITA) Verification Levels

Level 1 Interpreters and/or Transliterators - Level 1 practitioner interpreters and/or transliterators are able to interpret/transliterate so as to convey the content of the message. Can function expressively and receptively in most situations. Can function well as an interpreter/transliterator in most situations excluding legal, serious medical or mental health.

Level 2 Interpreters and/or Transliterators - Level 2 intermediate interpreters and/or transliterators are able to interpret or transliterate a significant portion of the message clearly. Can function expressively and receptively in many situations.

Level 3 Interpreters and/or Transliterators - Level 3 interpreter and/or transliterator identifies someone with slightly more refined skills for sign facilitation. Ample time is needed for individuals possessing this level to process messages.

Level 4 Interpreters and/or Transliterators - Level 4 identifies a level of skill that reflects a probationary sign facilitator who is only able to assist in basic communication situations. Individuals possessing this level are not able to handle simultaneous language facilitation.

For WITA verified interpreters, the following list will help to determine if an interpreter's verification qualifies him/her to do a specific type of assignment.

Situations Can Be Used Should Not

Civil or criminal court cases 1, 2, 3
Serious mental health situations 1, 2, 3
Serious medical situations 1, 2, 3
Legal situations 1, 2, 3
Basic mental health situations 1, 2 3
Critical situations of any nature 1, 2, 3
Educational settings 1 2, 3
Basic medical situations 1, 2 3
Employment situations 1, 2 3
Platform interpreting 1, 2 3
Recreational/social 1, 2, 3

*WITA levels appear as the interpreting leve/transliterating level of skill. For example, an interpreter with a Level 1 interpreting skill and a Level 3 transliterating skill will have a WITA level of I1/T3. The score to use when hiring an interpreter should depend on the type of communication mode request by the consumer.

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