What kind of training is required to become an interpreter, and for students to use an interpreter?
All educational interpreters should have training, certification, and basic qualifications as required by the regulations of their state and by the interpreting industry in general. Interpreter training programs are offered through institutions of higher education nationwide, and a prospective interpreter can now receive a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Interpreting. Although this is not usually a requirement for certification in most states, a few states are implementing this requirement (e.g. Colorado and Michigan). The Educational Interpreter’s Performance Assessment (EIPA) is a nationally recognized evaluation of interpreter skill. Most state departments of education rely on the interpreter’s EIPA certification as an indication of sign proficiency. Parents are encouraged to ask if their child’s educational interpreter is certified in the mode of communication to be used and, if applicable, what the interpreter’s EIPA score is. Generally, a 3.5 on the EIPA is considered a minimum q
