RID Certification
RID plays a leading role in establishing a national standard of quality for interpreters. RID certifications are a highly valued asset and provide an independent verification of an interpreter’s knowledge and abilities allowing them to be nationally recognized for the delivery of interpreting services among diverse users of signed and spoken languages. Furthermore, in some states, holding a valid RID certification is required to provide interpreting services.
Each RID credential has unique requirements that must be completed before it can be awarded. Some certifications involve passing a series of exams and others involve submitting documentation of training and experience. In all cases, if the candidate is determined to meet or exceed RID’s national standard, they are awarded certification. Detailed information about these requirements can be found on the corresponding certification page.
RID currently offers two different certifications. In addition, RID currently recognizes certifications that were previously offered by RID, but the exams are no longer available, as well as credentials assessed and awarded by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). Individuals who hold NAD credentials that have been previously recognized by RID are considered Certified members of RID.
*Click on the links below to view the related certifications.
- Previously Offered RID Certifications – These RID certifications are fully recognized; however, the exams are no longer available.
- NAD Certifications – These certifications were developed and administered by NAD and are recognized by RID.
- RID Retired Certifications – RID no longer supports or recognizes these credentials and individuals can no longer use them as validation of their abilities.
To request verification of your certification, please complete and submit this form. Note that the Certification Department has gone paperless and is no longer accepting submissions mailed to HQ. Submissions mailed to HQ will not be processed.
There are specific conventions and a hierarchy of how you should display your certifications. Please see the information below:
- Valid generalist certifications no longer offered (IC, TC, CSC, MCSC, RSC, ETC, EIC, OIC, CI and/or CT, OTC, NIC Advanced, NIC Master) appear before all others. IC and/or TC appear first (e.g. IC/TC, CSC).
- OIC certifications appear directly after all other old generalist certifications (e.g. TC, CSC, OIC:C)
- Current generalist certifications (CDI, NIC) appear after generalist certifications that are no longer offered (e.g. IC, CI and CT, OTC, NIC)
- NIC certification appears after the CI and/or CT
- The OTC certification appears after the NIC certification
- Specialist certifications (SC:L and SC:PA) appear after all generalist certifications
- NAD certifications appear after all RID certifications
- Ed:K-12 appears after NAD certification
- CI and CT are always expressed together as “CI and CT” or “CI & CT”
Follow this hierarchy:
IC, TC, IC/TC, CSC, MCSC, RSC, ETC, EIC, OIC:V/S, OIC:S/V, OIC:C, CI, CT, CI and CT, CDI, NIC, NIC Advanced, NIC Master, OTC, SC:PA, SC:L, NAD III, NAD IV, NAD V, Ed:K-12