Sign Language Interpreter Professional Development and Workforce Support
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD) supports the certification and ongoing professional development of sign language interpreters through access to a variety of professional supports. Opportunities include workshop and training opportunities both virtually and in-person, continuing education units (CEUs) for certification maintenance, and access to professional certification exams and assessments.
Louisiana Professional Development Workshops and Training
One of our goals at the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf is to ensure sign language interpreters have the resources to develop and maintain their skills to provide highly effective communication access to public and private services in Louisiana.
Louisiana Commission for the Deaf Workshops and Trainings
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf has a professional agreement with the following state organizations in Louisiana to provide additional professional development opportunities to the d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing community as well as the sign language interpreter workforce. Louisiana Commission for the Deaf-supported workshops are often provided at no- to low-cost to Louisiana residents.
Visit our events page or resource page to find workshops and trainings hosted by the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. As trainings are scheduled, they will be added to our calendar.
External Interpreter Workshops and Trainings
Workshop opportunities are provided both virtually and in-person by various states and organizations. You can also visit our resource page for a list of organizations that may offer professional development opportunities. Visit the website links below to learn more about upcoming training opportunities.
Local Testing Administrator
Sign Language 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. The role of the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf as a local testing administrator is to oversee and proctor these exams. This does not include the official assessment of skill. CASLI and EIPA 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.
All exams for sign language interpreters will be offered on weekdays only, between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., based on mutual availability and the type of exam. All exams will take place at our office located in the Louisiana Department of Health at 628 N Fourth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Parking is available at the Galvez Parking Garage on North Fifth Street. The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf proctors the exams at no cost to the candidate.
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 (CASLI)
The Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf, the national organization and certifying body of sign language interpreters, created CASLI as a separate testing entity for administering the knowledge and performance assessment exams that they use to provide professional certification for interpreters in the United States.
Exam Types
For National Interpreter Certification (NIC) Candidates
- CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam – Fundamentals of Interpreting Multiple Choice Exam
- Ethical Decision-Making and Cultural Responsiveness Case Studies Exam
- CASLI Generalist Performance Exam – NIC (hearing candidates)
- To learn more about the National Interpreter Certification exam, click here.
For Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) Candidates
- CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam – Fundamentals of Interpreting Multiple Choice Exam
- Ethical Decision-Making and Cultural Responsiveness Case Studies Exam
- CASLI Generalist Performance Exam – CDI (Deaf candidates)
- To learn more about the Certified Deaf Interpreter exams, click here.
Special Note: The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf only proctors the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam and the Fundamental of Interpreting portion (also known as Gap Test) for Certified Deaf Interpreter candidates. However, CASLI may issue an exception on a case-by-case basis for hearing candidates requesting approval. To request approval to take the Fundamental of Interpreting Exam at the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf, contact CASLI directly at manager@casli.org.
Exam Process
- Step 1: CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam – Fundamentals of Interpreting and the Ethical Case Studies
- Step 2: Once the Fundamentals of Interpreting Exam has been passed, candidates can proceed to take the performance exam (the Ethical Case Studies can be retaken with the Performance Exam if not passed at the same time as the Fundamentals of Interpreting)
- Step 3: Once all three exams have been passed, CASLI will report the passing status to the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf, and they will issue certification.
To learn more about the CASLI’s testing process cycles, click here.
Exam Cost
National Interpreter Certification (NIC)
- CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam (consists of both Fundamental of Interpreting & Case Studies portions): This exam 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 (RID) member rate
- CASLI Generalist Performance Exam for National Interpreter Certification (NIC)
- $500 regular rate
- $450 RID member rate
- Standalone Retake-Fundamental of Interpreting portion or Case Studies portion (also known as Gap Test): This exam is not proctored by the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. To find locations to take the test, visit the CASLI website.
- $175 regular rate/RID member rate
Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI)
- CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam (consists of both Fundamental of Interpreting & Case Studies portions)
- $280 regular rate
- $225 RID member rate
- CASLI Generalist Performance Exam for National Interpreter Certification (NIC)
- $395 regular rate
- $310 RID member rate
- Standalone Retake-Fundamental of Interpreting portion or Case Studies portion (also known as Gap Test)
- $140 regular rate/RID member rate
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. 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. Click here to request for accommodations.
Length of Exams
- CASLI Performance Exam NIC and CDI only: 2 hours
- CASLI Performance Exam (NIC/CDI) and Case Studies Exam (Gap test): 3.5 hours (plus 15-20 minute break in between exams)
- CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam, including both Fundamentals of Interpreting Multiple Choice; and Case Studies Exam: 4.5 hours (plus a 15-20 minute break in between exams)
- Case Studies Exam only: 90 minutes
- CASLI General Knowledge Exam only: 3 hours
Preparing for the Exam
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.
- EIPA Performance Test – evaluates the ability to interpret classroom content and discourse expressively and the student sign language receptively.
- EIPA 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
- Written/Knowledge Exam – $250.00
*No proctor fee through the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf.
Scheduling the Exam
- Testing information, availability, and registration is available at 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) before 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
- For the EIPA Written Exam, the maximum amount of time candidates are allowed for the test is 4 hours, although most candidates finish in 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:
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
Continuing Education Units Certification Maintenance Program
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf has partnered 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 life-long learning opportunities.
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf offers multiple opportunities for sign language interpreters to earn Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf (RID) CEUs, including:
- Academic Coursework – Completing degree-earning courses at an accredited college or university recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) (www.chea.org/search).
- Sponsor-Initiated Activities – Participating in pre-approved activities offered by RID-approved sponsors (look for the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf Certification Maintenance Program logo in event advertisements).
- Participant-Initiated Non-RID Activities (PINRA) – Engaging in educational activities not sponsored by RID-approved providers, such as non-mandatory school district in-services, audited non-credit courses, or continuing education classes.
Request Continuing Educations Units
To submit a request for CEUs, complete our Continuing Education Units Certification Maintenance Program Request form.
Discrepancies in Continuing Educations Units
To receive credit for missing activities or to correct CEUs on your transcript, you must fill out the Certification Maintenance Program Discrepancy Form as soon as possible for to verify attendance and/or further investigation. Note that activities may take up to 60 days to appear on your transcript.
For more information, contact LCDCEU-CMP@la.gov.