Alabama Licensure Board for Interpreters and Transliterators

Credentials

Many Interpreters and Transliterators have successfully completed additional educational paths to expand their knowledge base and help them better serve different deaf or hearing impaired populations. You may have seen their credentials listed on their ID cards. Below is an explanation of those credentials.

NIC Advanced: Individuals who achieved the NIC Advanced level have passed the NIC Knowledge Exam, scored within the standard range of a professional interpreter on the interview portion of the NIC Interview and Performance Exam and scored within the high range on the performance portion of the NIC Interview and Performance Exam.

NIC Master: Individuals who achieved the NIC Master level have passed the NIC Knowledge Exam and scored within the high range on both portions of NIC Interview and Performance Exam. The NIC with levels credential was offered from 2005 to November 30, 2011.

CI (Certificate of Interpretation): Holders of this certification are recognized as fully certified in interpretation and have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English for both sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign tasks. The interpreter’s ability to transliterate is not considered in this certification. Holders of the CI are recommended for a broad range of interpretation assignments. This credential was offered from 1988 to 2008.

CT (Certificate of Transliteration): Holders of this certification are recognized as fully certified in transliteration and have demonstrated the ability to transliterate between English-based sign language and spoken English for both sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign tasks. The transliterator’s ability to interpret is not considered in this certification. Holders of the CT are recommended for a broad range of transliteration assignments. This credential was offered from 1988 to 2008.

CSC (Comprehensive Skills Certificate): Holders of this certification have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English and to transliterate between spoken English and an English-based sign language. Holders of this certification are recommended for a broad range of interpreting and transliterating assignments. This credential was offered from 1972 to 1988.

MCSC (Master Comprehensive Skills Certificate): The MCSC examination was designed with the intent of testing for a higher standard of performance than the CSC. Holders of this certification were required to hold the CSC prior to taking this exam. Holders of this certification are recommended for a broad range of interpreting and transliterating assignments. This credential was offered until 1988.

RSC (Reverse Skills Certificate): Holders of this certification have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and English-based sign language or transliterate between spoken English and a signed code for English. Holders of this certification are deaf or hard-of-hearing and interpretation/transliteration is rendered in ASL, spoken English and a signed code for English or written English. Holders of the RSC are recommended for a broad range of interpreting assignments where the use of an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing would be beneficial. This credential was offered from 1972 to 1988.

IC (Interpretation Certificate): Holders of this certification have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English. Holders received scores on the CSC exam which prevented the awarding of CSC certification or IC/TC certification. The interpreter’s ability to transliterate is not considered in this certification. Holders of the IC are recommended for a broad range of interpretation assignments. The IC was formerly known as the Expressive Interpreting Certificate (EIC). This credential was offered from 1972 to 1988.

TC (Transliteration Certificate): Holders of this certification have demonstrated the ability to transliterate between spoken English and a signed code for English. Holders received scores on the CSC exam which prevented the awarding of CSC certification or IC/TC certification. The transliterator’s ability to interpret is not considered in this certification. Holders of the TC are recommended for a broad range of transliterating assignments. The TC was formerly known as the Expressive Transliterating Certificate (ETC). This credential was offered from 1972 to 1988.

CS:PA (Specialist Certificate: Performing Arts): Holders of this certification were required to hold the CSC prior to sitting for this examination and have demonstrated specialized knowledge in performing arts interpretation. Holders of this certification are recommended for a broad range of assignments in the performing arts setting. This credential was offered from 1971 to 1988.

OIC:C (Oral Interpreting Certificate: Comprehensive): Holders of this certification demonstrated both the ability to transliterate a spoken message from a person who hears to a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing and the ability to understand and repeat the message and intent of the speech and mouth movements of the person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. This credential was offered from 1979 to 1985.

OIC:S/V (Oral Interpreting Certificate: Spoken to Visible): Holders of this certification demonstrated the ability to transliterate a spoken message from a person who hears to a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. This individual received scores on the OIC:C exam which prevented the awarding of full OIC:C certification. This credential was offered from 1979 to 1985.

OIC:V/S (Oral Interpreting Certificate: Visible to Spoken): Holders of this certification demonstrated the ability to understand the speech and silent movements of a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing and to repeat the message for a hearing person. This individual received scores on the OIC:C exam which prevented the awarding of full OIC:C certification. This credential was offered from 1979 to 1985.

The certifications below were developed and administered by NAD (National Association of the Deaf) and are recognized by RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf).

NAD (National Association of the Deaf) Certifications: In 2003, RID began to recognize interpreters who hold NAD III, NAD IV and NAD V certifications. These credentials were offered by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) between the early 1990s and late 2002. In order to continue to maintain their certification, NAD credentialed interpreters must have had an active certification and registered with RID prior to June 30, 2005. These interpreters are required to comply with all aspects of RID’s Certification Maintenance Program, including the completion of professional development.

NAD III (Generalist) – Average Performance: Holders of this certification possess above average voice-to-sign skills and good sign-to-voice skills. Holders have demonstrated the minimum competence needed to meet generally accepted interpreter standard. Occasional words or phrases may be deleted but the expressed concept is accurate. The individual displays good grammar control of the second language and is generally accurate and consistent, but is not qualified for all situations.

NAD IV (Advanced) – Above Average Performance: Holders of this certification possess excellent voice-to-sign skills and above average sign-to-voice skills. Holders have demonstrated above average skill in any given area. Performance is consistent and accurate and fluency is smooth, with few deletions; the viewer has no question to the candidate’s competency. Holders of this certification should be able to interpret in most situations.

NAD V (Master) – Superior Performance: Holders of this certification possess superior voiceto- sign skills and excellent sign-to-voice skills. Holders have demonstrated excellent to outstanding ability in any given area. The individual had minimum flaws in their performance and have demonstrated interpreting skills necessary in almost all situations.