Certification Overview

The Iowa State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf strives to make sure quality interpreting services are provided to all members of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing communities. To achieve that, ISRID hosts workshops and mentoring opportunities to enable our members to obtain certification or assessment through psychometrically valid testing systems.

Previously, national certification was offered through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and the National Association of the Deaf. Listed below are their descriptions of all certifications offered. NAD and RID formed the National Council on Interpreting (NCI) to develop a National Interpreter Certification (NIC) test. This new test has replaced the current RID and NAD tests and should be available fully in late 2005.

It is important to notice that the NCI passed a motion in 2003 for the following:

In 2008, applicants who are hearing will be required to have a minimum of an associate's degree in order to be considered a candidate for certification. This means that they can take written or knowledge tests without a degree, but must have the degree in order to apply for the interview and performance sections of any test.
In 2012, applicants who are hearing will be required to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in order to be considered a candidate for certification while applicants who are deaf will be required to have a minimum of an associate's degree.
In 2016, applicants who are deaf will be required to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree.
By June 30, 2006, life experience, years of professional experience, years of education (credit hours) not totaling a formal degree shall be considered for alternative criteria in lieu of educational requirements.

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