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Sign Language Interpreter — CI/CT/NIC
Total cost: N/A
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
No
BEI Accepted
Not Required
State Exam
0 hrs
CE Hours
N/A
Total Initial Fees
Interpreter Training Program & Degree
Mostly verifiedDegree Required
Not Required
Minimum Degree Level
No state minimum
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
Mostly verifiedRID Certification Not Required
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
RID Certifications
RID or equivalent national certification recognized
State Certification
Tennessee license required for fee-based interpreting (excludes religious and K-12 settings)
BEI Certification N/A
Board for Evaluation of Interpreters
EIPA Not Specified
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
Mostly 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
Tennessee Licensed Interpreter (required for fee-based interpreting outside religious and K-12 settings)
Additional Notes
Tennessee enacted a sign language interpreter licensure law creating the Tennessee Board of Professional Sign Language Interpreters.
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
Mostly verifiedN/A
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 →
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Tennessee's licensure requirement uniquely exempts religious settings and K-12 education. Interpreters must have liability insurance, which is unusual. The board includes mandatory consumer representation (2 deaf/hard of hearing members).
Tennessee enacted a sign language interpreter licensure law creating the Tennessee Board of Professional Sign Language Interpreters.
License types include full sign language interpreter, deaf interpreter, provisional, and temporary nonresident.
Requires: 18+ years old, background check, recognized certification, 40 hours professional development per 2 years.
Existing interpreters have a grandfathering pathway based on substantial prior work experience before July 1, 2025.
Board consists of 5 governor-appointed members including deaf and interpreting community representatives.
Fee amounts are being set by the Board to cover only system maintenance costs.
Sign Language Interpreter requirements in nearby states
See how Tennessee compares: Sign Language Interpreter License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Sign Language Interpreter Schools in Tennessee
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Tennessee? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Sign Language Interpreter license to Tennessee →
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Tennessee requires licensure for sign language interpreters. All licensing is managed through the Tennessee Sign Language Interpreter Licensing Board.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.