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Certification, Recognition and Court Approval Overview

Utah law states, “an individual is required to be certified as a certified interpreter if that individual provides interpreter services” (Utah Code 35A-13-6). All working interpreters in Utah must have their certification issued or recognized by the Utah Interpreter Program (UIP). Interpreters possessing state of Utah certifications or other certifications (National Association of the Deaf - NAD, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf - RID, Educational Interpreter Proficiency Assessment - EIPA) determined to be accepted UIP may provide interpreting services in Utah, provided they comply with the requirements for certification and recognition set forth in the policies and procedures of the UIP.

Certification Process Overview

The certification process to become a UCNI (Utah Certified Novice Interpreter) or UCPI (Utah Certified Professional Interpreter) requires passing a knowledge exam and a performance exam. Candidates must pass the knowledge exam before they are permitted to take the performance exam. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and have no ethics violations, or other issues that may preclude working as a certified interpreter in Utah.

The certification process to become a UCDI (Utah Certified Deaf Interpreter) requires Passing a performance exam and a knowledge exam. Candidates must pass the performance exam before they are permitted to take the knowledge exam. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and have no ethics violations, or other issues that may preclude working as a certified interpreter in Utah.

UCNI and UCPI

For detailed information about the UCNI and UCPI examination process including study material recommendations, evaluation criteria, and more, please download and review the UCNI and/or the UCPI Certification Packet.

• UCNI Certification Packet
• UCPI Certification Packet

UCNI and UCPI Process Overview

Step 1: Create an account with UIP if you don’t already have one

Login/Set up Account

Step 2: Study for the UCNI/UCPI Knowledge Exam

Step 3: Take and pass the UCNI/UCPI Knowledge Exam

Step 4 (Optional): UCNI or UCPI Mock Exam

Step 5: Take and pass the UCNI or UCPI Performance Exam

UCDI

For detailed information about the UCDI examination process including study material recommendations, evaluation criteria, and more, please download and review the UCDI Certification Packet.

• UCDI Certification Packet

UCDI Process Overview

Step 1: Create an account with UIP if you don’t already have one

Login/Set up Account

Step 2: Take the UCDI Mock Performance Exam

Step 3: Take and pass the UCDI Performance Exam

Step 4: Study for the UCDI Knowledge Exam

Step 5 (Optional): Take the UCDI Mock Knowledge Exam

Step 6: Take and pass the UCDI Knowledge Exam

Recognition Process Overview

Interpreters holding RID certification(s) and/or EIPA scores above 3.5 must have their credential/score recognized by UIP before they are able to work as an interpreter in Utah.

RID Recognition Process

Step 1: Create an account with UIP if you don’t already have one

Login/Set up Account

Step 2: Request recognition by uploading proof of your RID credentials (Credly badge showing actual credentials, letter of verification from RID etc.)

Step 3: UIP reviews and verifies credentials

Step 4: Pay the recognition fee after credentials are verified

EIPA Recognition Process

Step 1: Create an account with UIP if you don’t already have one

Login/Set up Account

Step 2: Take and pass the UCNI/UCPI Knowledge exam or the EIPA Written Exam (contact UIP at UIP@utah.gov if using the EIPA Written Exam)

Step 3: Request recognition by uploading documentation of a score of 3.5 or higher and the language and whether the score is for elementary or secondary

Step 4: UIP reviews and verifies documentation

Step 5: Pay the recognition fee after scores are verified

Court Approval

To be listed as a court-approved interpreter, an interpreter must meet the requirements set forth by the State of Utah Courts and UIP. While there are several steps in the approval process, you must first hold and one of the following advanced certifications: UCDI, UCPI, UCMI, RID CI & CT, RID CDI NIC, NAD IV or V. Individuals holding RID SC:L may also be approved.

Court Approval Process for Advanced Certifications

Step 1: Apply online with the Utah Courts’ Language Access Program:

Utah Court Interpreter Application

Step 2: Pass a court-initiated background check

Step 3: Sign up for and complete a 2-day training with the courts:

How to become a court interpreter

Step 4: Provide proof of 10 hours of observation time with certified interpreters in the courts. (Can happen prior or at the same time as training)

Step 5: Take and pass a Written Exam with the court

Step 6: Contact UIP at UIP@utah.gov with evidence of successful completion of all steps

Court Approval Process for RID SC:L

Step 1: Login to your UIP account

Step 2: Request recognition of RID SC:L by uploading proof of your RID credentials (Credly badge showing RID SC:L, letter of verification from RID etc.)

Step 3: UIP reviews and verifies credential

Step 4: Pay the recognition fee after credential is verified