Note: This list is tailored for hearing interpreters. Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs) bring their own unique skills and requirements rooted in lived Deaf experience. CDI qualifications are explained further below. 

​

A career in sign language interpreting is both rewarding and challenging. It’s far more than simply knowing two languages. Being bilingual in ASL and English does not make you an interpreter. Interpreting is a highly specialized skill that requires extensive training and the ability to prove your competence through professional certification.

​

This is a service profession and a practice profession, much like law, medicine, or counseling. That means interpreters must continually study, refine skills, and uphold professional ethics throughout their careers. We exist because the Deaf community exists, and we are here to serve them, not ourselves. We follow strict codes of professional conduct, and keep the focus where it belongs: providing accurate communication access. This work is not for clout, attention, or to showcase ASL as a novelty for hearing audiences. (Yes, we see interpreters go viral but remember: the only reason they are there in the first place is to provide equal access to a Deaf person in the audience.)​​

​

The path to this profession begins with fluency in American Sign Language (ASL,) and true fluency comes from learning directly from the Deaf community. This means immersing yourself in Deaf culture, gaining “Deaf heart” (a deep respect and understanding for Deaf experiences), and recognizing the systemic barriers and oppression that the community has faced and continues to face.

​

Future interpreters must complete an Interpreter Training Program, usually a 2-year or 4-year college degree program. These programs teach the ethics, techniques, and decision-making skills necessary to work effectively in a variety of settings. They also typically include a capstone internship, where students are placed out in the field, actively interpreting under the supervision of a certified interpreter, similar to how student teachers or medical residents gain hands-on experience before entering their professions.​​

​

Once the degree is obtained, the next step is certification and licensing. In Wisconsin (and many other states), interpreters must hold recognized credentials, such as those from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID,) or the Board of Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI,) or the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) to qualify and meet state licensing requirements before they can work professionally.

​

Maintaining Your Certification: Certification isn’t a “one and done” thing.  It requires ongoing commitment. Most certifications or licenses must be renewed every few years. To qualify for renewal, interpreters must earn a set number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs). These CEUs are proof that you’ve been actively building your skills, staying current on best practices, and keeping your knowledge of ethics, language, and cultural issues up to date. This ensures interpreters continue to serve the community with professionalism, accuracy, and cultural awareness throughout their careers.

​

Lifelong Growth and Specialization: Interpreting is a dynamic field with many opportunities to grow. After initial certification, interpreters can pursue higher-level credentials and specialty certifications in areas like court or legal interpreting, medical or mental health, theater and performance interpreting, or educational interpreting. The work never stays stagnant. There’s always a new skill to learn or a niche to explore. Many interpreters also choose to pursue graduate degrees, become mentors, or teach the next generation of interpreters, contributing to the profession’s future while expanding their own expertise. We lift as we climb. 

​

With each step, you’re building the foundation for a career rooted in service, cultural respect, and a commitment to accessible communication for all.