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Sign Language Interpreter — CI/CT/NIC
Total cost: N/A
Governing Authority
State Board of Sign Language Interpreters (SBSLI) under Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GODHH/ODHH)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
License Required
No
RID Required
Yes
BEI Accepted
Not Required
State Exam
0 hrs
CE Hours
N/A
Total Initial Fees
Interpreter Training Program & Degree
VerifiedDegree Required
Not Required
Minimum Degree Level
High school diploma for Provisional license
ITP Program
Not required by state
Accreditation
N/A
Sign language interpreters typically need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with completion of an Interpreter Training Program (ITP). Programs include coursework in American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf culture, interpreting theory, ethics, and practicum experience. CCIE (Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education) accreditation indicates a program meets national standards for interpreter education.
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Certification Requirements
VerifiedRID Certification Not Required
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
RID Certifications
RID, BEI Basic+, NAD Level IV+, or EIPA 4.0+ accepted for General license
State Certification
Maryland issues General, Provisional, and Educational licenses through SBSLI
BEI Certification Accepted
Board for Evaluation of Interpreters
EIPA Accepted (Educational)
Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment
The RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) offers the NIC (National Interpreter Certification) as the current national certification. Previously issued CI (Certificate of Interpretation) and CT (Certificate of Transliteration) are no longer offered but still recognized. BEI (Board for Evaluation of Interpreters) testing is used in Texas and accepted in several other states. EIPA (Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment) is used for K-12 educational interpreter qualifications.
Examination Requirements
VerifiedNational Exam Not Required
RID NIC or Equivalent
Performance Exam
No state performance exam required
Knowledge Exam
No state knowledge exam required
No State Exam
State-Specific Exam
Sign language interpreter examinations typically include both a written knowledge component covering ASL linguistics, Deaf culture, interpreting ethics, and professional standards, and a performance component assessing ASL-to-English and English-to-ASL interpreting skills in various settings. The RID NIC exam is the most widely accepted national certification. Some states administer their own exams or accept BEI testing.
Overall licensing difficulty: 11/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Sign Language Interpreter Exam Prep
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Study materials for the NIC interpreter certification exam.
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State Licensing Requirements
VerifiedState License Required
State License Title
Maryland Licensed Interpreter (licensure requirement delayed to July 1, 2026)
Additional Notes
Maryland enacted licensure law effective January 1, 2025 via the State Board of Sign Language Interpreters (SBSLI) under ODHH.
Approximately 30 states require licensure or registration for sign language interpreters. States that do not require licensure include Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Even in non-licensing states, RID certification may be required by employers, courts, or agencies under ADA.
Practice Scope & Services
Mostly verifiedCommunity Interpreting
Authorized
Legal Interpreting
Available
Medical Interpreting
Available
Educational Interpreting
K-12 interpreting available
VRI Services
Governed by ADA requirements
Sign language interpreters provide communication access services across multiple settings including community, legal, medical, and educational environments. Legal interpreting involves court proceedings, depositions, and law enforcement interactions. Medical interpreting covers healthcare appointments and informed consent. Educational interpreting serves K-12 students under IDEA. Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) provides real-time ASL interpretation through technology platforms.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | N/A |
License Fee | N/A |
Renewal Fee | N/A |
Total Initial Fees | N/A |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year (General license)
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
N/A
Renewal Fee
CE Details
No state-mandated CE; RID-certified interpreters follow RID CEU requirements
Regulatory Board
Sign language interpreter licenses must be renewed on schedule with the state licensing authority. RID requires 8.0 CEUs (80 hours) per 4-year certification cycle. State CE requirements typically range from 10-40 hours per renewal cycle and must include courses in interpreting skills development, ASL linguistics, Deaf culture, professional ethics, specialized interpreting, or related professional topics.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
Mostly verifiedEndorsement Available
No
Comity Available
No
Reciprocity Requirements
Most states that license sign language interpreters offer reciprocity or endorsement for licensed interpreters from other states. Requirements typically include verification of current RID NIC certification (or equivalent), meeting education requirements, completing a background check, and submitting a reciprocity application. Some states may require a state-specific jurisprudence exam.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Maryland with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Maryland's licensure implementation has been repeatedly delayed — originally planned for Jan 2025, then Jan 2026, now July 2026. The state has a unique 80-hour threshold below which interpreters need not be licensed. Three distinct license types exist.
Maryland enacted licensure law effective January 1, 2025 via the State Board of Sign Language Interpreters (SBSLI) under ODHH.
As of December 22, 2025, the licensing program is paused until 2026 for legislative discussions.
ODHH is no longer accepting applications through the OneStop portal.
When active: applicants must hold RID/NAD/BEI certification or EIPA score of 4.0+.
Interpreters working fewer than 80 hours annually can work without a license but must self-report to ODHH.
The Board will resume developing regulations in spring 2026 after the MGA session.
interpreters under 80 hours/year are exempt from licensure but must self-report
hours are work hours (not billable), rounded to quarter-minute increments
Sign Language Interpreter requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland (you) | — | 108–218 wks | |
| District of Columbia | — | 108–218 wks | → |
| Delaware | — | 108–218 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | $100 | 108–218 wks | → |
| Virginia | — | 108–218 wks | → |
See how Maryland compares: Sign Language Interpreter License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Sign Language Interpreter Schools in Maryland
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
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Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Sign Language Interpreter license to Maryland →
Transfer your Sign Language Interpreter license from Maryland to: Delaware → | Pennsylvania → | Virginia → | West Virginia → | District of Columbia →
Maryland requires licensure for sign language interpreters. BEI certification is also accepted. All licensing is managed through the State Board of Sign Language Interpreters (SBSLI) under Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GODHH/ODHH).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.