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CDI Certification

CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter) Certification 

The Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) is a nationally certified interpreter who is deaf or hard of hearing. In addition to proficient communication skills and general interpreter training, the CDI has specialized training and/or experience in the use of gesture, mime, props, drawings and other tools to enhance communication. The CDI has knowledge and understanding of deafness, the Deaf community, and Deaf culture. The CDI possesses native or near-native fluency in American Sign Language.

Holders of this certification are interpreters who:

• Are deaf or hard-of-hearing
• Have completed at least eight hours of training on the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct
• Have completed at least eight hours of training on the role and function of an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing
• Meet RID’s educational requirement for deaf exam candidates
• Have passed both the CDI Knowledge and CDI Performance Exam

Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of assignments where an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing would be beneficial.This exam has been available since 1998.

Step-by-Step Process to CDI Certification

If you have any questions or difficulties, please contact the Certification and Education Department at certification@rid.org or 703-838-0030, option 5 (Pre-Testing).

STEP 1 – Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements to take both exams (see below).
 
THE CDI KNOWLEDGE EXAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WILL CHANGE IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2013 WHEN THE UPDATED EXAM WILL BE AVAILABLE. 

For more information, read an update article from the summer 2012 edition of VIEWS here.
 
 **RID reserves the right to modify the eligibility criteria of all RID certification examinations.



 **RID reserves the right to modify the eligibility criteria of all RID certification examinations.


STEP 2 – Read the CDI exam information and prepare for the exams.

Exam Information

CDI Candidate Bulletin
 CDI Test Outline 
CDI Rating Scales 

Study Materials
CDI Sample Written Test Package
 CDI Reference Materials List

STEP 3 – Pay for the CDI Knowledge Exam and send proof that you meet the CDI Knowledge Exam eligibility requirements.

Log on to your RID account and click on “Register for a Test.”  Pay for the “CDI Written [ASL]” with a VISA or MasterCard, then send your eligibility documentation to RID.

OR

Print out and complete the CDI Exam Application, marking the CDI Knowledge (Written) ASL, and send with payment and eligibility documentation to RID.

STEP 4 – Make a copy of your paperwork for your records and send originals to:

RID
Attn: Cert & Ed Dept
333 Commerce Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

STEP 5 – Processing of eligibility documentation can take up to 2 weeks after RID has received both payment and documentation.  Once your paperwork has been processed, your ATT Letter will be activated.  To check this, log on to your account at www.rid.org, click on “Track Tests,” and click on the magnifying glass under “Authorization to Test Letter” (ATT Letter).

STEP 6 – Once your ATT Letter is activated, contact the RID Test Site of your choice to set up your exam appointment. 

STEP 7 – Print out your ATT Letter and take it with you to your exam appointment.

STEP 8 – Results will to be sent to you by email in 2-3 weeks.  Please be sure your email address is correct in your RID account to prevent notification delays.

STEP 9 – If you passed the exam, congratulations!  Go to the next step.
 
If you did not pass the exam, you may take the exam again 6 months after your test date.  It is important to recheck the eligibility requirements.  If the requirements have changed, you must send documentation.  If they have not changed, you only need to pay for a retake.  You can either send in a hard-copy application with payment or log in to your RID account and click on “Register for a Test” and pay for a CDI Written (ASL) Retake with a VISA or MasterCard.

STEP 10 – Pay for the CDI Performance Exam and send proof that you meet the CDI Performance Exam eligibility requirements.

Log on to your RID account and click on “Register for a Test.”  Mark the “CDI Performance” and pay with a VISA or MasterCard, then send your eligibility documentation to RID.
 
OR
 
Print out and complete the CDI Exam Application, mark the CDI Performance, and send it with payment and eligibility documentation to RID.

STEP 11 – Make a copy of your paperwork for your records and send originals to:
 
RID
Attn: Cert & Ed Dept
333 Commerce Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

STEP 12 – Processing of eligibility documentation can take up to 2 weeks after RID has received both payment and documentation.  Once your paperwork has been processed, your ATT Letter will be activated.  To check this, log on to your account at www.rid.org, click on “Track Tests,” and click on the magnifying glass under “Authorization to Test Letter” (ATT Letter).

STEP 13 – Once your ATT Letter is activated, contact the RID Test Site of your choice to set up your exam appointment.

STEP 14 – Print out your ATT Letter and take it with you to your exam appointment.
 
STEP 15 – Results are typically processed in 90-120 days.  Please be sure your email and postal addresses are correct in your RID account to prevent notification delays.
 
STEP 16 – If you did not pass the exam, you may take the exam again 6 months after your test date.  It is important to recheck the eligibility requirements.  To pay for a retake, you can either send in a hard-copy application with payment or log in to your RID account and click on “Register for a Test” and pay for a CDI Performance Retake with a VISA or MasterCard.

If you did pass the exam, you are now CDI certified!  Congratulations!  You will receive a newly-certified packet in the postal mail 3-4 weeks after your results are sent.  The packet will include your official certificate and information on the Certification Maintenance Program.
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Special Accommodations for CDI Exams
RID complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and will accommodate requests from qualified candidates with a diagnosed disability for accommodations if the request is reasonable, properly documented and does not fundamentally alter the examination or jeopardize exam security.

Those requesting accommodations must send a hard-copy application, note the needed accommodations on the application and attach supporting documentation at least 30 days in advance of the scheduled exam date.