FAQs Educational Interpreters

WHAT IS THE LCD INTERPRETER REGISTRY AND WHAT WILL IT BE USED FOR? DO I

HAVE TO BE LISTED ON THE LCD INTERPRETER REGISTRY TO WORK?

The Interpreter Registry is an online public-facing registry which will include a list of all “Registered

Interpreters” eligibility status to work in the state of Louisiana. Interpreters will be required to submit

documentation verifying they have met certain minimum requirements set forth by LCD in order to be

listed on the Interpreter Registry and to work as an educational interpreter.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT REGISTER THROUGH LCD INTERPRETER REGISTRY? AM I

STILL ABLE TO WORK AS AN EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETER?

Sign language interpreters working in an educational setting will be required to be a “Registered

Interpreter” through LCD Interpreter Registry in order to work. There will be a grievance policy, procedure,

and investigation if an interpreter is found working without being listed as a “Registered Interpreter”.

WHAT WILL BE THE NEW MINIMUM STANDARDS TO REGISTER AS A

PROVISIONAL INTERPRETER?

Minimum qualifications for Provisional Interpreters will be required in two content areas: Education and

Performance.

Education Requirements: Certification of Completion or degree from IEP program; or minimum of 30

semester college credit hours

Performance Requirements: Valid RID Certification; or BEI Basic Certification or higher; or NAD Level 4+;

or EIPA score of 2.5 – 3.9; or Pre-Hire Screening of the EIPA results of ‘OK to hire’ or ‘hire with

caution/supervision’; or Arkansas QAST Level III: Intermediate or higher; or Mississippi QAST Level II:

Intermediate or higher

Per Act 128 of the 2022 Regular Legislative Session, amendments were made to the Louisiana

Commission for the Deaf (LCD) authorizing statute, RS 46:2351-2354 in order to modernize the

overall purpose of LCD’s programs and services. This included changes to how LCD is involved

with American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters working in Louisiana. The new law requires

LCD to establish and provide oversight of an Interpreter Registry, which includes defining the

minimum qualification standards for registration of all interpreters working in the State of

Louisiana.

Overview

Minimum Qualification Standards for Interpreters Working in Educational Settings

Released: 11/03/2023

WHAT WILL BE THE NEW MINIMUM STANDARDS TO REGISTER AS A QUALIFIED

INTERPRETER?

Minimum qualifications for Provisional Interpreters will be required in three content areas: Education,

Knowledge, and Performance.

Education Requirements: Associates degree; or 60 semester hours of college or greater

Knowledge/Written Requirements: Pass the EIPA Written exam

Performance Requirements: 4.0 or above EIPA score; or Valid RID certification; or BEI Advanced+; or NAD

WHEN DO THE NEW STANDARDS FOR INTERPRETERS WORKING IN

EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS BEGIN?

All non- current LDOE certificate holders must meet the new requirements by July 1, 2025.

All existing current Provisional and Ancillary LDOE Certificate holders must meet the new requirements

by July 1, 2026

The new standards will begin as follows:

WILL THERE BE AN ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY FOR CURRENT DOE

PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE HOLDERS THAT DO NOT MEET THE NEW

REQUIREMENTS?

While there will not be an alternative pathway for educational interpreters in the Knowledge and

Performance content area requirements, there is a transition timeline to allow educational interpreters

adequate time to meet the new requirements. For the Education content area requirement, a minimum of

15 college credit hours, or official credits verified by a Life Experience Assessment Program (LEAP) or a

College Level Examination Program (CLEP), will be required.Up to 45 hours may utilize the RID

Educational Equivalency formula. There will also be a process for filing for an exception/extension which

will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

WILL DEAF INTERPRETERS BE ALLOWED TO APPLY AS A PROVISIONAL OR

QUALIFIED INTERPRETER IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS?

Yes.

For Provisional: Deaf Interpreters must meet the educational requirement above and submit verification of

one of the following: Valid RID certification; or BEI Level III Intermediary; or NTID Certificate in Deaf

Interpreting

For Qualified: Deaf Interpreters must meet the educational and knowledge requirement above and submit

verification of one the following: Valid RID certification; or BEI IV Intermediary +

Minimum Qualification Standards for Interpreters Working in Educational Settings

Released: 11/03/2023

THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION USED TO ISSUE THESE

CERTIFICATES. WILL THEY CONTINUE?

The Louisiana Department of Education (DOE) may no longer issue certificates for educational interpreters

after July 1, 2025. Further communication will be shared at a later date.

WILL RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETERS BE

CHANGING AS WELL?

Yes. Interpreters must engage in continuing professional development that enhances skills, theoretical

knowledge, and ethical decision-making. New renewal guidelines will be shared as a separate

communication in the near future.

WHAT WILL LCD BE DOING TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETERS TO

MEET THE MINIMUM STANDARD QUALIFICATIONS?

Develop and implement an on-going Statewide Mentorship Program to provide a pathway for sign

language interpreters working in the state of Louisiana to acquire the fundamental skills to meet and

maintain the minimum qualifications. LCD hopes to pilot this Statewide Mentorship Program by July 1,

2024. The pilot will be open first to interpreters working in educational settings;

Develop, host and/or support professional development opportunities (workshops, trainings, webinars,

etc) for interpreters working in various settings;

Strengthen partnerships with statewide organizations such as Louisiana Registry of Interpreters for the

Deaf (LRID), Louisiana Association of the Deaf (LAD), and the New Orleans Black Deaf Advocates

(NOBDA);

Strengthen partnerships with state departments such as Louisiana Department of Education, Local

Education Agencies, Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana Supreme Court, etc to explore

enhancing opportunities for interpreters working in various settings;

Develop internship opportunities for aspiring interpreters enrolled in higher education programs;

Assist and/or support the establishment of Interpreter Training Programs

Provide resources for state and national opportunities for enhancing knowledge and skill.

LCD and the Interpreter Ad Hoc committee recognizes there are Interpreters that may not meet the new

standard requirements being proposed.

To support current educational interpreters in achieving the minimum standard qualifications, LCD will:

Minimum Qualification Standards for Interpreters Working in Educational Settings

Released: 11/03/2023

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED OR STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE WORK?

Contact LCD staff or Board directly at [email protected] for more information.

Attend LCD’s Public Meetings, Interpreter Ad Hoc Committee meetings, and any special meetings

hosted by LCD. Stay connected to LCD Meetings here. Public comments can be submitted to

[email protected] in advance or attend the meeting to provide your comment.

Follow LCD Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LCDGOV/

Visit LCD website at https://ldh.la.gov/page/LCD

Ask additional questions you would like LCD to answer by filling out LCD’s anonymous Public Input

Form here.

Attend LRID’s monthly virtual board meetings

Contact LRID Board directly at [email protected] for more information.

Visit LRID website at https://www.lrid.org/

Here are a few ways Interpreters can stay up to date on the developments and implementation of the new

rules and regulations for sign language interpreters and to learn how to submit questions and make

comments/feedback about the new rules and regulations.

LCD Information:

LRID Information:

Minimum Qualification Standards for Interpreters Working in Educational Settings

Released: 11/03/2023