Educational Interpreter (Deaf or Hard of Hearing) Licensure Requirements

Obtaining an Educational Interpreter License

To issue an educational interpreter license for the first time, the department must review the applicant's application (PI-1602-NP) and transcripts to determine eligibility. An applicant is eligible for a regular license if all of the following course work is complete:

• six semester credits in the process of changing spoken English to ASL (voice-to-sign);
• six semester credits in the process of changing spoken English to signed English (transliterating);
• six semester credits in the process of changing signed text to spoken English (sign-to-voice).

Please note, the above course work is required before someone is eligible for a regular license unless the applicant has instead completed certification from the national registry of interpreters for the deaf (RID). If the applicant does not meet the above course work or RID requirements, an emergency permit based on a request from a school district would be the only licensure option.

In addition to the above ASL/interpreting course work, additional "education" course work must also be completed. When the application is reviewed, any education-related course work that has not already been completed will be identified as course work stipulations and these stipulations must be completed during the period of the first five-year license in order to obtain a regular license (without stipulations).

License Renewal Requirement

Use the PI-1602-5R application form for renewal.

As part of the professional growth requirement (Semester Credit Option or Professional Development Plan), applicants must successfully complete the educational interpreter performance assessment (EIPA) with a score of 3 or better. For information on completing the EIPA, please see EIPA Requirements or contact Carol Schweitzer, Consultant, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs at 608-266-7097.

For applicants using the Semester Credit Option, you will earn one credit for successful completion of the EIPA. In addition, the following will continue to count toward renewal requirements:

• One additional credit from one of the following interpreter assessment tools:
  • EIPA (regardless of score)
  • WITA (level four or above)
  • RID (proof of maintaining certification or taking an interpretation or transliteration performance test, regardless of the score);
• One or two credits for mentoring as verified by an Interpreter Training Program (30 mentoring hours is equivalent to one credit);
• Semester credits through the technical college system;
• Semester credits earned at an accredited four-year degree granting college/university.

See PI 34 Administrative Rule (PI 34.34(3)(c)) for complete information on the renewal requirement.

For questions about this information, contact Mark A. Schwingle (608) 266-1633

Last updated on 12/4/2008 5:34:40 PM