Sign language interpreters play an essential role in bridging communication between deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and the hearing world. As awareness of accessibility rights grows and demand for qualified interpreters increases across education, healthcare, legal, and corporate settings, the profession offers a meaningful and rewarding career path. However, becoming a qualified interpreter requires years of language development, formal education, national certification, and -- in many states -- a state-issued license or credential.

This guide walks you through every step of the process, from developing fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) to earning RID certification, meeting state licensing requirements, and maintaining your credentials through continuing education. We have also compiled verified data for all 51 states we track so you can compare requirements side by side.

What Does a Sign Language Interpreter Do?

Sign language interpreters facilitate communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and hearing individuals. They interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English, conveying not just words but also tone, intent, and cultural nuance. Effective interpreting requires deep understanding of both languages and of Deaf culture -- the shared values, traditions, and social norms of the Deaf community.

Sign language interpreters work across a wide range of settings, including:

• Educational settings (K--12 and higher education): Interpreting in classrooms, lectures, meetings with faculty, and campus events. Educational interpreters are among the largest segment of the profession.
• Medical appointments: Interpreting between patients and healthcare providers in hospitals, clinics, and mental health settings. Accuracy is critical as miscommunication can affect patient safety.
• Legal proceedings: Courtrooms, depositions, law enforcement interviews, and attorney-client meetings. Legal interpreting often requires specialized training and certification.
• Conferences and events: Platform interpreting at conferences, corporate events, religious services, and public gatherings.
• Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): Providing interpreting services via video technology, which has grown significantly in recent years and expanded access to interpreters in underserved areas.
• Community settings: Government offices, social service agencies, community events, and other everyday interactions where access to communication is needed.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for interpreters and translators is approximately $57,000--$60,000, though sign language interpreters' earnings vary widely based on setting, specialization, location, and whether they work as staff or freelance. Interpreters in legal, medical, and conference settings often command higher rates.

Step 1: Education and Language Development

Bachelor's Degree

Most professional sign language interpreting positions and national certification require at least a bachelor's degree. Many universities offer specialized degree programs in ASL/English interpreting, deaf studies, or ASL linguistics. These programs combine language coursework with interpreting theory, ethics, and supervised practicum experiences.

Interpreter Education Programs (IEPs)

Interpreter Education Programs are the primary academic pathway into the profession. The strongest programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE), which sets standards for curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes. A typical IEP curriculum includes:

• ASL linguistics and grammar
• Deaf culture and Deaf community history
• Interpreting theory and models
• Consecutive and simultaneous interpreting techniques
• Professional ethics (based on the RID Code of Professional Conduct)
• Supervised practicum and internship hours
• Specialized interpreting (educational, medical, legal)

IEPs are offered at the associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree levels. While an associate's degree may qualify you for entry-level positions in some states, a bachelor's degree is increasingly the standard requirement for RID certification and most professional roles.

Developing Fluency in ASL

ASL is a complete, complex language with its own grammar, syntax, and cultural context -- it is not a signed version of English. Developing the level of fluency required for professional interpreting takes years of study, practice, and immersion in the Deaf community. Most interpreting professionals report that it took them 5--7 years of dedicated language study and community involvement before they were ready to interpret professionally.

Step 2: RID Certification

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is the primary national certifying body for sign language interpreters in the United States. RID certification is widely recognized and required or preferred by employers and state licensing boards across the country.

National Interpreter Certification (NIC)

The NIC (National Interpreter Certification) is the primary credential offered by RID. The NIC examination has two components:

• Knowledge (written) exam: A computer-based multiple-choice test covering interpreting theory, ethics, cultural competency, and professional practices.
• Performance (skills) exam: A video-recorded assessment of actual interpreting ability in both ASL-to-English and English-to-ASL directions.

Previous RID Certifications

Before the NIC was introduced, RID offered several other certifications that many experienced interpreters still hold:

• CI (Certificate of Interpretation): Demonstrated competence in interpreting between ASL and English.
• CT (Certificate of Transliteration): Demonstrated competence in transliterating between signed and spoken English.
• CSC (Comprehensive Skills Certificate): An earlier certification demonstrating broad interpreting competence.

These legacy certifications remain valid for holders who maintain them through continuing education, and most states recognize them alongside the NIC.

BEI Certification: An Alternative Credential

The Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) is a state-level certification program that originated in Texas and is accepted in several other states as an alternative to RID certification. The BEI offers multiple certification levels, from basic to advanced and master, and tests both knowledge and interpreting performance.

Of the 51 states we track, 13 accept BEI certification as a qualifying credential. States accepting BEI include:

If you plan to work in a state that accepts BEI, this credential can be a viable pathway -- particularly during periods when RID certification testing availability has been limited. However, RID certification remains more widely recognized nationally.

State-by-State Sign Language Interpreter Requirements

Requirements vary significantly by state. Not all states license or formally regulate sign language interpreters -- some rely entirely on national certification, while others have established their own licensing or registration systems. Click any state name to see its complete requirements with step-by-step instructions, fees, CE details, and more.

Data sourced from official state licensing board websites and RID. Requirements change frequently -- always verify with your state board before applying.

Continuing Education Requirements

Maintaining your RID certification and state license requires ongoing continuing education (CE). Requirements exist at two levels: the RID national certification and state licensure.

RID Continuing Education

RID requires all certified interpreters to complete 8.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) -- equivalent to 80 contact hours -- per 4-year certification maintenance cycle. CEU activities must be from RID-approved sponsors or approved alternative activities, and may include:

• Workshops, conferences, and seminars offered by RID-approved sponsors.
• College or university courses related to interpreting, ASL, or Deaf studies.
• Professional development activities such as mentoring, publishing, or presenting at conferences.
• RID requires a portion of CEUs to be in professional and ethical responsibility content areas.

State License Continuing Education

States that issue a separate interpreter license or registration often have their own CE requirements for renewal, which may or may not align with RID's 80-hour/4-year requirement. Across the 51 states we track, the average CE requirement is 21.7 hours per renewal cycle. Some states accept RID-approved CE toward state license renewal; others require state-specific coursework.

Tips for managing CE requirements efficiently:

• Track your hours year-round using RID's online CE tracking system rather than scrambling at renewal time.
• Attend RID regional conferences and state association events, which often offer multiple CEUs in a single weekend.
• Look for activities that satisfy both RID and state CE requirements simultaneously to reduce the total number of hours you need to complete.
• Invest in specialized CE (medical, legal, educational interpreting) to expand your skill set and marketability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

The information in this guide is compiled from official sources. We recommend verifying current requirements directly with these organizations before making career or educational decisions:

• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) -- Certification and Professional Standards
• National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics -- Interpreters and Translators Occupational Outlook
• Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE) -- Accreditation Standards
• Individual state licensing board websites -- see each state page for direct links to official regulatory authorities.