Guide to Becoming a CDI

Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI) are specialists who provide sign language interpreting, translation, and transliteration services and other visual communication forms. Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI) are certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) rid.org, the national professional organization of sign language interpreters. Eligibility requirements for the CDI certification process is the responsibility of RID; while testing for certification is administered by the Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation (CASLI) casli.org. The following is a guide to assist candidates in the process of becoming a Certified Deaf Interpreter.

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Steps Towards Certification:

  1. Verify Eligibility:
  2. Create an account:
  3. Submit an audiogram to Testing@CASLI.org:
    • Must include the name of the applicant and the name of the audiologist or office that conducted the testing
    • Must show a hearing loss of 60db or more in one or both ears to CASLI
    • Audiogram does not need to be recent
  4. Register for the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam (CGKE):
    • Two-part exam
    • Case Studies:
      1. Fundamental of Interpreting
        • 60 multiple-choice questions in ASL
        • 60 multiple-choice questions in English
        • Must pass this section before being eligible to take the Performance exam
      2. Case Studies: Ethical Decision-Making Process & Cultural Responsiveness
        • 8 multi-step Case Study scenarios
        • If candidate does not pass, they can take it with the Performance exam
    • Results can be expected within 10 business days
  5. Submit proof of meeting RID’s educational requirement to certification@rid.org
  6. Register for CASLI Generalist Performance Exam : CDI
    • Exam consists of 6 scenarios of interpreting
      • in general settings
    • Results can be expected within 90 days

Interpreter Education Programs for Deaf Interpreters: (This is not an all-inclusive list)

National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Certificate in Deaf Interpreting:
This 20-week non-credit certificate program trains Deaf professionals to interpret a variety of discoursesin educational, international, legal, medical, mental health, business, and Deafblind settings. The programis delivered using an online blended format with two-thirds of instruction occurring synchronously inZoom and one-third completed asynchronously online.

Sorenson Deaf Interpreter Academy:
The Sorenson DIA program offers several programs designed to support your journey to becoming a professional interpreter or provide additional training to those already working as a Deaf Interpreter.

Aspire Deaf Interpreting:

ADI training offers a series of online class sessions to cover topics to prepare Deaf Interpreters for the CASLI Knowledge and Performance Exams. Participants meet virtually every other Sunday and will complete 2-4 hours of online work each month.

Additional Resources:

Deaf Interpreter Institute:
 DIInstitute.org is a learning, sharing, and networking site for Deaf Interpreters (DI), interpreters who work with DIs, DI educators and mentors, interpreting education program faculty and administrators, and people who use the services of DIs. DIInstitute.org is designed to address the needs often expressed by Deaf Interpreters for a professional practice community, learning opportunities, and public education on the role, function, and value of DIs.

National Deaf Interpreter (NDI):
NDI is the clearinghouse for the provision of services of certified Deaf interpreters and Deaf interpreters (CDI or DI). NDI also creates communities, champions standards, and shares knowledge with its members. As a professional Deaf interpreters’ organization, NDI will share ideas, practices, and common goals about interpreting.