Interpreter Certifications and Their Meanings

The following list of interpreter certifications was provided to me by Bobbie McGee, an interpreter. If you should find any errors or ommisions, please contact me.

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certificates:

• MCSC/CSC - (masters)comprehensive skills certificate (equivalent to having both CI and CT)
• CI - certificate of interpretation
• CT - certificate of transliteration
• IC - interpreting certificate
• TC - transliteration certificate

(IC and TC mean they have good expressive interpreter skills but not necessarily good receptive skills)

• RSC/CDI - deaf individual who can interpret from ASL or sign language to individuals with limited language or foreign sign languages (cdi is the new name for rsc [reverse skills certificate] cdi [certifieddeaf interpreter])
• OI:C - oral interpreting: certificate
• CS:L - special certificate: legal

NAD Certification: one title, five certifications with Level 5 being the most qualified:

• Level 1 - taken sign language class
• Level 2 - skills of an ITP student
• Level 3 - entry level interpreter
• Level 4 - journeyman interpreter, usually about 4 - 5 years experience
• Level 5 - expert interpreter, usual a CODA and/or 10 or more years experience

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