C.H.I.P.S. home office is an apporved testing site for both the EIPA written and performance assessments and RID NIC and CDI performance assessments. Maryjo Hall C.H.I.P.S.’ Interpreter Coordinator is an approved LTP (Local Testing Proctor) for both EIPA and RID.

If you are interested in testing at our location please go to either the EIPA website to sign up for the Written or performance assessments or the CASLI website to schedule RID’s NIC or CDI performance test.

What is an EIPA?

Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA)
​”Established in 1999, the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Diagnostic Center is the only program of its kind in the world. The program focuses on supporting the unique skills required for sign interpretation in the educational setting.”

“Skilled Deaf and hearing raters use the EIPA to provide diagnostic services for individual interpreters, states, educational settings, and school districts. The EIPA Center’s purpose is to:

  • Evaluate the skills and knowledge of interpreters working in K-12 educational settings
  • Provide information to local, state, and federal agencies regarding interpreting practices
  • Provide training to interpreters to assist them in skill and knowledge enhancement
  • Provide screenings to assist administrators in making interpreter hiring decisions”

(EIPA)

What is the RID NIC performance exam?

National Interpreter Certification (NIC)

“Holders of this certification have demonstrated general knowledge in the field of interpreting, ethical decision making and interpreting skills. Candidates earn NIC Certification if they demonstrate professional knowledge and skills that meet or exceed the minimum professional standards necessary to perform in a broad range of interpretation and transliteration assignments. This credential has been available since  2005.”

“The NIC certification process begins with a multiple-choice NIC Knowledge Exam. Candidates are eligible for the NIC Knowledge Exam if they are at least 18 years old. Candidates who have passed the knowledge exam within 5 years and meet RID’s educational requirement may then take the NIC Interview and Performance Exam. The NIC Interview and Performance Exam is a vignette-based assessment using video to deliver and record the assessment.”

(National Interpreter Certification)

What is a CDI?

Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)

“Holders of this certification are deaf or hard of hearing and have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of interpreting,  deafness, the Deaf community, and Deaf culture. Holders have specialized training and/or experience in the use of gesture, mime, props, drawings and other tools to enhance communication. Holders possess native or near-native fluency in American Sign Language and are recommended for a broad range of assignments where an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing would be beneficial. This credential has been available since 1998.”

“The CDI certification process begins with the knowledge exam. Candidates are eligible for the knowledge exam if they meet the 40 hour training requirement. Candidates who have passed the knowledge exam within 5 years and meet RID’s educational requirement may then take the performance exam. The performance exam is a video-recorded assessment.”

(Certified Deaf Interpreter)

Citations:

  • Certified Deaf Interpreter. Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. (2021, January 21). https://rid.org/rid-certification-overview/available-certification/cdi-certification/.
  • Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA). Boys Town Hospital. (n.d.). https://www.boystownhospital.org/professional-education/eipa.
  • National Interpreter Certification. Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. (2021, June 9). https://rid.org/rid-certification-overview/available-certification/nic-certification/.