Sign Language Interpreter Professional Development and Workforce Support
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf supports the certification and ongoing professional development of sign language interpreters through a variety of virtual and in-person professional development opportunities, including:
Interpreter Mentorship Program
The Interpreter Mentorship Program provides opportunities for career exploration, college internships, one-on-one coaching, and facilitated study groups. Each opportunity is designed to enhance skills, provide practical experience, and promote professional growth of interpreters at various stages of their careers.
Continuing Education Units and Certification Maintenance Program
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf works to ensure sign language interpreters have resources to develop and maintain their ability to provide effective communication access to public and private services in Louisiana.
The Commission partners with the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf to sponsor the approval of continuing education units (CEUs) through the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf Certification Maintenance Program. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the ongoing professional development of sign language interpreters through lifelong learning opportunities.
The Commission offers multiple opportunities for sign language interpreters to earn Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf (RID) continuing education units (CEUs):
- Academic Coursework: Complete degree-earning courses at an accredited college or university recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
- Sponsor-Initiated Activities: Participate in pre-approved activities offered by Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf-approved sponsors. Pre-approved activities include the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf Certification Maintenance Program logo on event advertisements.
- Participant-Initiated Non-Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf Activities (PINRA): Engage in educational activities sponsored by -approved providers, such as non-mandatory school district in-services, audited non-credit courses, or continuing education classes.
Requesting Continuing Education Units
To submit a request for continuing education units, complete the Continuing Education Units Certification Maintenance Program Request form.
Reporting Discrepancies in Continuing Education Units
To correct your transcript due to missing activities, or to correct continuing education units on your transcript, fill out the Certification Maintenance Program Discrepancy Form as soon as possible to verify your attendance and/or request further investigation of attendance records. Activities may take up to 60 days to appear on your transcript.
For more information, contact LCDCEU-CMP@la.gov.
Interpreter Exams
Through partnership with the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI) and Boys Town National Research Hospital Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Center, the Commission administers sign language interpreter knowledge and skill-based exams.
The Commission serves as a local testing administrator that oversees and proctors these exams.
Note: The Commission does not administer the official assessment of skill-based exams. The Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI) and Boys Town National Research Hospital Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Center are solely responsible for the certification and assessment of sign language interpreters. However, by enabling sign language interpreters to schedule certification or assessment exams within the state, the need for out-of-state travel can be eliminated.
Workshops and Trainings
The Commission has a professional agreement with the following Louisiana-based organizations to provide additional professional development opportunities to the d/Deaf, DeafBlind, hard of hearing community, and sign language interpreter workforce:
Visit our events page or resource page to find workshops and trainings hosted by the Commission. Commission-supported workshops are often provided at no or low-cost for Louisiana residents. Trainings are added to our event calendar as they become available.