RID Certifications
The certificates described below are an indication that the interpreter or transliterator was assessed by a group of professional peers according to a nationally recognized standard of minimum competence. The individual's performance was deemed to meet or exceed this national standard. The first five certificates listed (CI, CT, CLIP, CLIP-R and CDI-P) are conferred under RID's current testing system initiated in 1988. Certificates listed subsequently are for testing that took place prior to July 1, 1988.
Certificates issued prior to 1988, though no longer available, are still recognized as valid certificates provided the interpreter or transliterator meets all requirements of membership and the Certification Maintenance Program. Further, all interpreters and transliterators are required to adhere to the RID Code of Ethics governing ethical behavior within the profession. Violations of the Code of Ethics could result in a complaint filed against the interpreter or transliterator through the RID Ethical Practices System.
The RID National Testing System (NTS) strives to maintain adherence to nationally recognized testing industry standards of validity, reliability and equity. As a result, an independent psychometrician (test development expert) is retained by RID and oversees all test development and revision processes. RID adheres to the recommendation of test review and revision every five years. RID maintains affiliation with the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), the entity that sets national criteria for validity, reliability and fairness in testing and credentialing.
Cl and CT (Certificate of Interpretation and Certificate of Transliteration)
Holders of both full certificates (as listed above) have demonstrated competence in both interpretation and transliteration and have the same flexibility of job acceptance as holders of the CSC listed on the right column of this page. Holders of the Cl and CT are recommended for a broad range of interpretation and transliteration assignments.
Cl (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.
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 transliterator's ability to interpret is not considered in this certification. Holders of the CT are recommended for a broad range of transliteration assignments.
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 (CSC) was required prior to sitting for this exam. The new legal certificate in development is designed to replace the SC:L which is no longer offered. Holders of the SC:L are recommended for a broad range of assignments in the legal setting.
CLIP-R (Conditional Legal Interpreting Permit-Relay)
Holders of this conditional permit have completed an RID recognized training program designed for interpreters and transliterators who work in legal settings and who are also deaf or hard-of-hearing. Generalist certification for interpreters/transliterators who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (RSC or CDI) is required prior to enrollment in the training program. This permit is valid until one year after the RID Legal Certification examination is made available. The new RID Legal Certification is designed to replace the SC:L and will be developed to test both deaf and hearing interpreters and transliterators. CLIP-R holders must take and pass the new legal certification examination in order to maintain certification in the specialized area of interpreting in legal settings. Holders of this conditional permit are recommended for a broad range of assignments in the legal setting.
CDI-P (Certified Deaf Interpreter-Provisional)
(The provisional form is no longer offered. It is now known as CDI - Certified Deaf Interpreter.)
Holders of this certification are interpreters who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and who have completed 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 and have passed a comprehensive combination written and performance test. 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.
MCSC (Master Comprehensive Skills Certificate)
The MCSC examination was designed with the intent of testing for a higher standard of performance than the CSC. Holders of this certificate were required to hold the CSC prior to taking this exam which was offered for a brief time period. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of interpreting and transliterating assignments.
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 Cl and CT is the replacement for the CSC. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of interpreting and transliterating assignments.
RSC (Reverse Skills Certificate)
Holders of this full certificate demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language and English-based sign language or transliterate between spoken English and a signed code for English. Holders of this certificate are deaf or hard-of-hearing and interpretation/transliteration is rendered in American Sign Language, spoken English, a signed code for English or written English. The CDI (in development) is designed to replace the RSC which is no longer offered. Holders of the RSC are recommended for a broad range of interpreting assignments where the use of an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing would be beneficial.
IC/TC (Interpretation/Transliteration Certificate)
Holders of this partial certificate demonstrated ability to transliterate between English and a signed code for English and the ability to interpret between American Sign Language and spoken English. This individual received scores on the CSC examination which prevented the awarding of full CSC certification. The IC/TC is no longer offered.
IC (Interpretation Certificate)
Holder of this partial certificate demonstrated ability to transliterate between American Sign Language and spoken English. This individual received scores on the CSC examination which prevented the awarding of full CSC certification or partial IC/TC certification. The IC is no longer offered.
TC (Transliteration Certificate)
Holders of this partial certificate demonstrated the ability to transliterate between spoken English and a signed code for English. This individual received scores on the CSC examination which prevented the awarding of full CSC certification or IC/TC certification. The TC is no longer offered.
OIC:C (Oral Interpreting Certificate: Comprehensive)
Holders of this generalist certificate demonstrated the ability to transliterate a spoken message from a person who hears to a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing and the ability to understand and repeat the message and intent of the speech and mouth movements of the person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. The OIC:C is no longer offered.
OIC:S/V (Oral Interpreting Certificate: Spoken to Visible)
Holders of this partial certificate demonstrated the ability to transliterate a spoken message from a person who hears to a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. This individual received scores on the OIC:C examination which prevented the awarding of full OIC:C certification. The OIC:S/V is no longer offered.
OIC:V/S (Oral Interpreting Certificate: Visible to Spoken)
Holders of this partial certificate demonstrated ability to understand the speech and silent mouth movements of a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing and to repeat the message for a hearing person. This individual received scores on the OIC:C examination which prevented the awarding of full OIC:C certification. The OIC:V/S is no longer offered.
SC:PA (Specialist Certificate: Performing Arts)
Holders of this certificate were required to hold RID generalist certification (CSC) prior to sitting for this examination and have demonstrated specialized knowledge in performing arts interpretation. The SC:PA is no longer offered. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of assignments in the performing arts.
MCDHH Approved
Interpretation
Holder of this Approval are entry level interpreters who have successfully passed a combined oral interview and performance examination administered by MCDHH and have been approved to provide ASL/English interpreting services in limited settings.
Transliteration
Holder of this Approval are entry level interpreters who have successfully passed a combined oral interview and performance examination administered by MCDHH and have been approved to provide English-like Signs/English interpreting services in limited settings.
Oral
Holder of this Approval are entry level interpreters who have successfully passed a combined oral interview and performance examination administered by MCDHH and have been approved to provide oral transliteration services in limited settings.
Travel Reimbursement
Interpreters shall receive a vehicle allowance for trips of 20 miles or more one way. Reimbursement shall be at the rate paid to Commonwealth employees, and is for the total distance traveled. This allowance covers gas, tolls and vehicular wear and tear. Trips less than 20 miles one way are not eligible for this allowance.
For travel over 20 miles one way, Interpreters will be paid travel time. Travel time pay is calculated by this method: total miles divided by 50 and then multiplied by 1/2 of the Interpreter's hourly rate.
[ miles ÷ 50 = ________ x 1/2 of hourly rate = travel reimbursement ]
Cancellation/No Show
If cancellation of an assignment occurs with less than two business days' notice, the Interpreter will be paid for the time booked. This includes "no shows" by the consumers involved.
Certification Description ©1994, RID Publications. Reprinted with permission.