Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)
Holders of this certification are deaf or hard of hearing and have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of interpreting, deafness, the Deaf community, and Deaf culture. Holders have specialized training and/or experience in the use of gesture, mime, props, drawings and other tools to enhance communication. Holders possess native or near-native fluency in American Sign Language and are recommended for a broad range of assignments where an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing would be beneficial. This credential has been available since 1998.
Please see the information on CASLI’s website regarding exam eligibility.
CDI Certification Process
June 23, 2016, RID established the Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation, LLC (CASLI) to take over the administration and ongoing development and maintenance of exams. Eligibility requirements and the credentialing of any and all individuals will remain the responsibility of RID. With this shift in responsibilities candidates will need to contact both RID and CASLI during different times in the certification process. For more information, visit www.casli.org.
- Review all pertinent CDI webpages on the CASLI website
- Submit an audiogram or letter from audiologist to CASLI
- Apply for the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam
- Pass the Knowledge Exam
- Submit proof of meeting the associates’ degree educational requirement to RID (This will become a bachelor’s degree requirement on May 17, 2021)
- Apply for the CASLI Deaf Interpreter Performance Exam
- Pass the CASLI Deaf Interpreter Performance Exam
CDI Performance Exam Educational Requirement – UPDATE to the Bachelor’s Degree Requirement
CDI exam candidates wishing to test must have a minimum of an Bachelor’s degree (any major) or an approved updated/2012 Alternative Pathway to Eligibility application recorded in their RID account before testing for any CASLI performance-based exam. This applies to ALL CDI exam candidates, including those who already hold RID certification.
At the 2003 RID National Conference, in Chicago, IL, the membership passed motion C2003.05, establishing degree requirements for RID certification candidates. The motion stated the following related specifically to the CDI Performance Exam: Effective June 30, 2016, Deaf candidates must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
The education requirement is currently a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, effective May 17, 2021.
The CASLI Generalist Performance Exam for Deaf interpreters was released November 16, 2020 therefore the date at which the Associate degree requirement became a Bachelor degree requirement was May 17, 2021.