How to become a sign language interpreter: training, registration and next steps

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Sign language interpreting is skilled, demanding work: you carry meaning between a signed and a spoken language in real time, in places where accuracy can matter a great deal, such as hospitals, courts and job interviews. It takes years to get there. This guide sets out the general path and uses the UK and the US as examples. Requirements differ by country and change over time, so always check with the national body where you plan to work.

Step 1: become fluent in the sign language

You cannot interpret a language you do not command. Most interpreters spend several years learning the sign language to a high level before starting interpreter training. That means:

structured courses through to advanced levels
regular time with Deaf people, not only in classrooms
a strong grasp of Deaf culture as well as vocabulary and grammar

Your spoken language needs to be excellent too, because you will be working into it as well as out of it.

Step 2: train as an interpreter

Fluency alone is not enough. Interpreter training covers how to process and render meaning, ethics, confidentiality, working in teams and managing different settings. Training is offered through universities, colleges and specialist programmes, depending on the country.

Example: the UK

In the UK, the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) keeps registers of sign language interpreters. It has two relevant categories:

Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI): for people who have completed an approved route, typically including a high-level sign language qualification and an interpreting qualification mapped to national standards.
Trainee Sign Language Interpreter (TSLI): for people currently on an approved course. Trainees work under regular supervision and are restricted from certain high-stakes settings, such as legal and mental health work.

NRCPD publishes a list of approved courses and qualifications. Check it before you enrol on anything, as not every course leads to registration. Arrangements can differ across the UK's nations, so check locally too.

Example: the US

In the US, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) awards national certification, with exams administered by its testing body, the Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation (CASLI). The main generalist certification for hearing interpreters is the National Interpreter Certification (NIC). Candidates take a knowledge exam and then a performance exam, and RID requires a bachelor's degree in any subject, or an approved alternative pathway, before the performance exam. There is also a certification for Deaf interpreters, who are Deaf people working alongside hearing interpreters or with Deaf clients who use non-standard signing, other sign languages or who need specialised communication. Some US states have their own licensing or quality assurance rules on top of national certification, so check the rules in the state where you will work.

Elsewhere

Many countries have their own interpreter associations and registers. Search for the national association of sign language interpreters and the national Deaf association in your country; both can usually point you to recognised training.

Qualities that help

Calm under pressure and comfortable with uncertainty
Strong general knowledge and a habit of preparing for each job
Respect for confidentiality and professional boundaries
Physical care: interpreting is tiring for the hands, arms and mind, and interpreters often work in pairs on long jobs
Openness to feedback from Deaf clients and colleagues

A realistic timeline

Expect the journey from beginner signer to qualified interpreter to take several years. Use the time to build relationships in the Deaf community; much good work comes from trust earned there. Are you training to be an interpreter, or already working as one? Share your route, tips and questions in the comments below.