What is meant by “qualified” or “credentialed?
Under Massachusetts law, a qualified interpreter is defined as a person skilled in sign language or oral interpretation and transliteration who has the ability to communicate accurately with a deaf or hearing-impaired person. The law in Massachusetts states that an interpreter shall be deemed qualified by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH). MCDHH refers interpreting requests only to nationally certified or MCDHH approved interpreters in an effort to provide the highest possible level of interpreter services to Deaf consumers. MCDHH is responsible for assessing the skills of interpreters for the Deaf who have not yet attained their national interpreter certification via a state interpreter screening. The MCDHH interpreter screening approves pre-certified interpreters for work within the state of Massachusetts. The National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) provides testing for national certification.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires the provision of qualified interpreters in a variety of settings. One important measure of an interpreters qualifications is professional credentials. Credentials are obtained by taking and passing an assessment of your skills. The National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) provides testing for national certification. Assessment by The National Association for the Deaf (NAD) may also be accepted by employers. In some states, a state agency offers a Quality Assurance (QA) assessment. However New York State does not have such a credentialing system.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires the provision of qualified interpreters in a variety of settings. One important measure of an interpreters qualifications is professional credentials. Credentials are obtained by taking and passing an assessment of your skills. The National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) provides testing for national certification. It consists of a written examination to test knowledge of Deaf culture, ethical practices and interpreting; and a performance evaluation to test interpreting skills. Georgia Department of Labor- Rehabilitation Services offers the Georgia Quality Assurance Screening (G-QAS). Georgia law requires that any interpreter employed by the State must pass one of these two assessments. Assessments by the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) and/or other state agencies may also be accepted by other employers.
