INTERPRETER QUALIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

     Currently there is no national Sign Language Interpreter qualification law. Many States have independently developed laws to assure people providing interpreting services for the Deaf and hard of hearing are qualified to do so. The State laws vary greatly from each other and new laws are being written as well as older laws being modified on a regular basis. To find the current state of requirements in the State where you wish to hire in interpreter contact the State legislation and / or the State’s office of services to the Deaf and hard of hearing. 

     Due to the lack of Federal and widely discrepant State laws a couple of national and a few state organizations have developed tests to measure the competency of Sign Language Interpreters.  The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf in conjunction with the National Association of the Deaf (RID & NAD) have been the primary two national organizations developing tests for general interpreting competencies.  Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska responded to requests for tools that could assess the proficiency of educational interpreters by developing the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment ® (EIPA)

     Holding a valid nationally recognized certification is not a guarantee that an interpreter is qualified for every situation requiring an interpreter however it should be a minimum qualification when determining to secure an interpreter's services. There are also specialist certifications and years of experience in an area of interpreting that require skills beyond that of a generalist. Ex: legal, medical, educational settings.