ASL’s growing popularity and increased acceptance have created a high demand for ASL interpreters. This has resulted in the opening of an exciting new career path and many people are showing an inclination to it. Who are ASL interpreters and what do they do, you ask? ASL interpreters are essentially professionals who work with deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Their primary job is to translate sign language into spoken words and vice versa. Due to this reason, it is essential that ASL interpreters are well-versed in both the languages– English and American Sign Language. 

Being an ASL interpreter is a highly rewarding job. It offers a deep sense of fulfillment while also giving interpreters the opportunity to work in dynamic settings every day. There is never a dull day on the job as an ASL interpreter. Does the prospect of this work excite you? Think this is the career path for you? Let’s take a look at what you might need to do to become a professional ASL interpreter.  

See if you meet the minimum requirements 

In order to become an ASL interpreter, you need to ensure that you meet the basic requirements. To meet these requirements, you must-

  • Be 18 years of age or above
  • Have a high school diploma or an equivalent
  • Take a language proficiency test to showcase your bilingualism
  • Undertake at least 40 hours of training and acquire a certificate for professional interpreter training

Learn ASL

This might be the most obvious step in the process but also might be the most challenging one. As is the case with any other language,  learning ASL takes patience and determination. To master the language you can rely on various resources like classes, websites blogs, and videos. Learning ASL is more than just memorizing hand movements. What most people might not know is that ASL is a proper language with its own grammar and syntax. An integral part of learning the language also includes getting acquainted with the deaf community and their culture. 

Formal Training 

Once you have learned ASL, the next step is to acquire formal training in it. To become a professional interpreter, you will need a certificate from a trusted organization like the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

You can acquire the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) from RID after clearing two exams. The first test is known as the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam and includes multiple-choice questions and several case studies. 

The second test is the NIC Interview and Performance Exam, which tests you on your expressive and receptive signing skills, and translating skills. Before registering for the second exam, you need to have passed the NIC Knowledge Exam.

You can head over to RID’s website to learn more about the process and check if you’re eligible for sitting in the exam. 

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Continue to Upskill as an Interpreter

Your journey toward becoming an ASL interpreter doesn’t end once you have acquired a certificate. You need to continually upskill to maintain proficiency as an interpreter. Many organizations, including the RID, host various workshops, classes, and webinars to help ASL professionals hone their skills. 

Certifications for professional ASL Interpreters

If you aspire to work with an interpreting agency or even freelance, you might need some certifications to prove your competency to the consumers and/or employers. Even if you are already a professional ASL interpreter, there are various certifications that you can aim at acquiring to up your reputation as an interpreter and grow your career. 

Here is a list of some of the certifications-

  1. National Interpreter Certification (NIC) by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
  2. Certified Deaf Interpreter (CID) by RID
  3. Master Level Sign Language by American Sign Language Teaching Association (ASLTA)
  4. ATA Certification by American Translators Association (ATA) 
  5. Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) by EIPA Diagnostic Center
  6. Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)
  7. Certified Medical Interpreter, Spanish (CMI) by NBCMI
  8. CED Certification by the Council on Education of the Deaf (CED) 

Each certification assesses interpreters on different skills and parameters. They all come with their own set of merits. The certification that you opt for will depend on the direction you wish to go in– an educational interpreter will need different certifications as compared to a medical interpreter. You could choose to acquire multiple certifications to add more credibility to your name. Read more about each of these certifications to see which one will help you further your career the best.

Conclusion

Becoming an ASL Interpreter has many benefits- you can enjoy the challenge of working with a multitude of people in varied settings, you can derive a sense of fulfillment from your work, and you get to choose the type of work you want to undertake. You can use the steps mentioned above as a rough guideline to start your journey as a professional Interpreter. You can start your interpreting career with Unspoken Language Services, a boutique agency that is operated by ASL interpreters. A technology-based company, we value your time as an interpreter and make the process hassle-free. We understand that every interpreter comes with a set of unique skills and we welcome them all! To become an interpreter at Unspoken Language Services, apply here. 

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