About Sign Language Interpreters

According to Title 22VAC20-30-10 of the Code of Virginia, the term "Qualified interpreter" refers to an interpreter who currently holds at least one of the following credentials:

1. Certification from any national organization whose certification process has been recognized by the Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; OR
2. A current screening level awarded by the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) Program of the Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; OR
3. A screening level or recognized evaluation from any other state when (i) the credentials meet the minimum requirements of Virginia Quality Assurance Screening and (ii) the credentials are valid and current in the state issued.

There is no licensing or registration regulation for sign language interpreters/transliterators in Virginia.

Candidates who have taken the assessment and been awarded a VQAS Screening Level are issued an electronic copy of a card signed by the VDDHH Director. The card includes their screening levels in both interpreting and transliterating as well as the expiration date of those screening levels (3 years after the date of award).

Candidates who participate in the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) assessment process may be awarded levels based on the results of that assessment. For more information about VQAS, visit the VQAS page on our website. The following information provides a brief overview of each of the screening levels which may be awarded and general information about the types of assignments interpreters with those levels might be qualified for.

INTERPRETING LEVELS

• I-IV (Interpreting Level IV) – Holders of this screening level demonstrated the ability to convey a minimum 95% of the total message and are recommended for situations which are not life threatening, legal in nature or surgical situations.
• I-III (Interpreting Level III) – Holders of this screening level demonstrated the ability to convey a minimum 80% of the total message and are recommended for routine medical appointments, childbirth classes, eligibility and Welfare, non-technical meetings and pre-K through 12, and undergraduate course work.
• I-II (Interpreting Level II) – Holders of this screening level demonstrated the ability to convey a minimum 65% of the total message and are recommended for Library, parks and recreation, YMCA, arts and crafts, non-academic adult education, on-the-job training (non-computer, non-technical).
• I-I (Interpreting Level I) - Holders of this screening level demonstrated the ability to convey a minimum 50% of the total message and are not recommended for placement without supervision by a mentoring interpreter.

TRANSLITERATING LEVELS

• T-IV Transliterating Level IV – Holders of this screening level demonstrated the ability to convey a minimum 95% of the total message and are recommended for situations which are not life threatening, legal in nature or surgical situations.
• T-III Transliterating Level III – Holders of this screening level demonstrated the ability to convey a minimum 80% of the total message and are recommended for routine medical appointments, childbirth classes, eligibility and Welfare, non-technical meetings and pre-K through 12, and undergraduate course work.
• T-II Transliterating Level II – Holders of this screening level demonstrated the ability to convey a minimum 65% of the total message and are recommended for Library, parks and recreation, YMCA, arts and crafts, non-academic adult education, on-the-job training (non-computer, non-technical).
• T-I Transliterating Level I - Holders of this screening level demonstrated the ability to convey a minimum 50% of the total message and are not recommended for placement without supervision by a mentoring interpreter.

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) offers a “Search the Registry” tool that displays all members who are currently Nationally Certified, searchable by name, state, and type of certification.

RID plays a leading role in establishing a national standard of quality for interpreters. (RID is a non-profit organization which is not affiliated with VDDHH). 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. In some states, holding a valid RID certification is required to provide interpreting services. RID certification is not mandatory in Virginia.

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. RID currently offers two national certifications: National Interpreter Certification (NIC) and Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) Certification, but several other types are also currently recognized. For information regarding the certifications currently available and recognized, please visit the RID website.

Finding a State Screened Interpreter in Virginia

• The VDDHH Directory of Qualified Interpreters , an online database, provides credentials and contact information for freelance sign language interpreters in the Commonwealth who have granted VDDHH permission to publish their information so they can be contacted directly. These interpreters have taken the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS). For more information about the various credentials listed for each interpreter, view the Explanation of VQAS Levels above.
• VDDHH also maintains a booklet, the Directory of Services for People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deafblind. This Directory booklet lists many resources for a large variety of needs, including a section with the names and contact information for Interpreter Referral Agencies that consumers can contact directly.

 

Finding a Nationally Certified Interpreter in Virginia

• The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) is the national certifying body for sign language interpreters. Using their website, you may locate nationally certified interpreters anywhere in the US. RID’s “Search the Registry” tool includes both certified and non-certified members. Be sure to select “Certified” in the CATEGORY box, and select Virginia, and click “Find Member” at the bottom.
• VDDHH also maintains a Directory of Certified Interpreters who live or work in Virginia and who have requested to have their information be made publicly available. Participation in this Directory is voluntary, so this list does not include all of Virginia’s nationally certified interpreters.

Computer Aided Real-Time Transcription (CART), also referred to as real-time captioning or live-event captioning, is a way to transcribe spoken words into readable English text using a stenotype machine, notebook computer, and real-time software. A live CART provider listens to the spoken message and types the text that appears on a computer monitor or other display. CART is an important communication tool for people who are deaf or hard of hearing because it provides a complete translation of all spoken words and environmental sounds for the benefit of an individual consumer or larger group in a variety of settings, including classrooms, courtrooms, meetings, conferences, or anywhere communication access is needed. Increasingly, CART is being provided remotely via the internet or a telephone connection. VDDHH does not maintain a Directory of CART providers, but VDDHH Interpreter Services Program DOES coordinate CART services for Virginia state and local government agencies and the Virginia Court System. CART transcriptionists are paid service providers, generally billing per hour.

For more information about CART services, visit:

• The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) "About CART" page
• The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) CART information page

Note, Virginia Relay provides a different transcription service called Remote Conference Captioning (RCC) that is available specifically for conference call captioning.