Interpreter Certification and Assessment Exams
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf has partnered with the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI) and Boys Town National Research Hospital Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Center to administer sign language interpreter knowledge and skill-based exams and assessments on their behalf at no cost to interpreters.
As a local testing administrator, the Commission oversees and proctors these exams; however, the Commission does not assess the interpreter’s performance nor determine the results of the examination. The Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters and Boys Town National Research Hospital Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment Center are solely responsible for the assessment and/or certification of sign language interpreters. By providing the opportunity for sign language interpreters to schedule and take the professional assessments and exams within the state, the need for out-of-state travel is eliminated.
Exam Dates: All exams for sign language interpreters will be offered on weekdays only, between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., based on mutual availability and the type of exam.
Exam Location: All exams will take place at the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf office.
Louisiana Capitol Federal Credit Union Building
700 Main Street, Suite 302
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Parking is available in the surface lot around the building.
Getting Started
To support applicants and candidates in getting started, we have compiled detailed information about the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI)
and the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) exams.
Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters
The Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf, the national organization and certifying body for sign language interpreters, established the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters as a separate testing entity to administer the knowledge and performance assessment exams used to provide professional certification for interpreters in the United States.
Exam Types
National Interpreter Certification (NIC) Candidates
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf does not proctor the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters Generalist Knowledge Exam and the Fundamentals of Interpreting portion (also known as Gap Test) for hearing candidates. However, the Center may issue an exception on a case-by-case basis for hearing candidates requesting approval. To request approval to take the Fundamentals of Interpreting Exam at the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf, contact manager@casli.org.
- The Generalist Knowledge Exam includes:
- 120 Fundamentals of Interpreting multiple-choice questions
- Eight Ethical Decision-Making and Cultural Responsiveness case studies
- The Generalist Performance Exam for hearing interpreters includes a “performance” assessment consisting of six scenarios
To find a proctor or to schedule an exam, log into your CASLI Exam System (CES) account. For more information about scheduling an exam, visit the section below “Scheduling the Exam” for further instructions.
For Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) Candidates
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf proctors the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters Generalist Knowledge Exam and the Fundamentals of Interpreting portion (also known as Gap Test) for Certified Deaf Interpreter candidates.
- The Generalist Knowledge Exam includes:
- 120 Fundamentals of Interpreting multiple-choice questions
- Eight Ethical Decision-Making and Cultural Responsiveness case studies
- The Generalist Performance Exam for Deaf Interpreters includes a constructed response exam where the candidate will interpret scenarios that use common vocabulary
To schedule an exam, log into your CASLI Exam System (CES) account. More information about scheduling an exam, visit the section below “Scheduling the Exam” for further instructions.
For Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) Candidates
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf proctors the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters Generalist Knowledge Exam and the Fundamentals of Interpreting portion (also known as Gap Test) for Certified Deaf Interpreter candidates.
- The Generalist Knowledge Exam includes:
- 120 Fundamentals of Interpreting multiple-choice questions
- Eight Ethical Decision-Making and Cultural Responsiveness case studies
- The Generalist Performance Exam for Deaf Interpreters includes a constructed response exam where the candidate will interpret scenarios that use common vocabulary
To schedule an exam, log into your CASLI Exam System (CES) account. More information about scheduling an exam, visit the section below “Scheduling the Exam” for further instructions.
Exam Process
- Step 1: Take both portions of the Generalist Knowledge Exam, Fundamentals of Interpreter and Ethical Case Studies
- Step 2: Once the Fundamentals of Interpreting portion has been passed, candidates can take the Generalist Performance Exam
- Note: If the Ethics of Decision-Making portion of the Generalist Knowledge Exam is not passed at the same time as the Fundamentals of Interpreting portion, candidates can retake the ethics portion when they take the Performance Exam
- Step 3: Once both portions of the Generalist Knowledge Exam and the Generalist Performance Exams have been passed, the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters will report the passing status to the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf, and they will issue certification.
Exam Cost
Exams for National Interpreter Certification (NIC)
- The Generalist Knowledge Exam (including the Fundamentals of Interpreting multiple choice and Ethics case study questions) is not proctored by the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. To find locations to take the test, visit the CASLI website.
- $450 regular rate
- $350 Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf-member rate
- Generalist Performance Exam for National Interpreter Certification
- $500 regular rate
- $450 Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf-member rate
- Standalone Retake Information: The Fundamental of Interpreting multiple choice or Ethics Case Studies portion, also known as the Gap Test is not proctored by the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. To find locations to take the test, visit the CASLI website.
- $175 regular rate and Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf-member rate
Exams for Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI)
- Generalist Knowledge Exam (consists of both Fundamentals of Interpreting and Case Studies portions)
- $280 regular rate
- $225 Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf-member rate
- Generalist Performance Exam for National Interpreter Certification
- $395 regular rate
- $310 Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf-member rate
- Standalone Retake Information: Fundamental of Interpreting portion or Case Studies portion, also known as the Gap Test
- $140 regular rate/RID member rate
Preparing for the Exam
Length of Exams
- NIC and CDI Performance Exam only: 2 hours
- NIC and CDI Performance Exam plus Case Studies Exam (Gap test): 3.5 hours (plus 15- to 20-minute break in between exams)
- Generalist Knowledge Exam, including both Fundamentals of Interpreting Multiple Choice; and Case Studies Exam: 4.5 hours (plus a 15- to 20-minute break in between exams)
- Case Studies Exam only: 90 minutes
- General Knowledge Exam only: 3 hours
Scheduling the Exam
- Requests to take an exam are submitted via CASLI Website
- Candidates will be required to create a CASLI Exam System (CES) account
- Before creating a CES account, candidates must have a Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf (RID) account number. If you do not have an RID account number, refer to the RID Member Login page to create an RID account where you will be assigned an. You will be assigned an RID account number. If you already have an RID account number, then you can create a CES account.
- Proctor availabilities will be listed in your CES account. Click view proctor locations for availabilities.
- If accommodations are needed for the exam, a request must be submitted to CASLI in advance.
Educational Interpreter Performance Exam (EIPA)
The Boys Town National Research Hospital, internationally recognized as a leader in clinical and research programs focusing on childhood deafness, language development, and related communication disorders, offers two comprehensive tests to assess the skills and knowledge of sign language interpreters working in K-12 educational environments.
Exam Types
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf proctors both the EIPA Performance and Written exams.
- Performance Test – Evaluates the ability to interpret classroom content and discourse expressively and the student sign language receptively
- Written Test – Evaluates the interpreter’s understanding of information that is critical to performing with students in an education setting
Exam Process
There are no prerequisites, such as a degree, for taking the EIPA Performance Assessment or Written Exam. Candidates do not need to take the written or performance test in any sequence.
Learn more about EIPA’s testing process:
Exam Cost
Performance Exam
$365.00
*No proctor fee through the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf.
Written/Knowledge Exam
$250.00
*No proctor fee through the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf.
Scheduling the Exam
- Testing information, availability, and registration are available on the Boys Town’s website.
- Availability is posted each quarter and is updated approximately two weeks prior to the start of the quarter.
- Registration closes five full days before (to the hour) the test date/time. This also marks the deadline to withdraw from a reserved test slot. Registrants are responsible for reviewing all policies before registering.
- Interpreters requesting test accommodations must submit the required documentation to the EIPA Diagnostic Center before registering for a test. Approval for test accommodations may only be granted by the EIPA Diagnostic Center. Test administrators may not approve accommodation requests. Mandatory steps to request test accommodations:
- Requests for accommodations must be submitted to the EIPA Diagnostic Center through the following link: https://form.jotform.com/EIPA/testing-accommodation-request. The request must include:
- Formal documentation from a qualified/licensed professional who has conducted testing or provided treatment for the disability or diagnosis, complete with:
- A statement of the specific disability or diagnosis
- A description of the disability and why accommodations are needed
- Tests or protocols used to confirm diagnosis
- A description of test accommodations prescribed for the disability
- The professional’s signature, title, and contact information
- The documents will be reviewed. EIPA will notify the test candidate of the approval (or denial) and accommodation instructions/parameters.
- Formal documentation from a qualified/licensed professional who has conducted testing or provided treatment for the disability or diagnosis, complete with:
- For the EIPA Performance Exam, plan to be on site for 2.5 hours
- Requests for accommodations must be submitted to the EIPA Diagnostic Center through the following link: https://form.jotform.com/EIPA/testing-accommodation-request. The request must include:
For the EIPA Written Exam, the maximum amount of time allowed for the test is 4 hours, although most candidates finish in 2.5 hours.
Preparing for the Exam
- Glossary of EIPA Terminology: A reference guide defining common terms, concepts, and scoring language used throughout the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) process.
- EIPA Practice Videos: Practice interpreting scenarios that allow candidates to become familiar with the EIPA performance test format and develop their interpreting skills.
- EIPA Sample Score Videos: Examples of interpreted performances at various score levels to help candidates understand Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) scoring criteria and performance expectations.
- Written Test Info: An overview of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Written Test, including eligibility, content areas, registration information, and what to expect on the assessment.
- Performance Test Info: Information about the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Performance Test, including the assessment format, scoring process, registration details, and preparation resources.
Get Prepared
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf offers facilitated study group sessions to help you get prepared for the Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation (CASLI) Generalist Knowledge Exam or the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Written Exam.
Contact Us with Questions
For more information about testing for the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI) or the Educational Interpreter Performance Exam (EIPA), contact LCDInterpreterTesting@la.gov