I have an EIPA 4.1 and live in a state where there are very few (if any) laws around interpreting. I'm happy with my EIPA for the most part and I'm pretty reluctant to spend around $700 on the NIC, as well as money on study materials, travel to take the test, and subsequent CEUs. I also don't love the idea of annual RID fees, as I really don't see the point. So what do y'all think? Pros and cons of NIC?
This is pretty comprehensive. I’d also just add that it’s possible agencies/hiring entities will pay you a higher freelance rate if you’re certified. In my state there is licensure, which I have, and that basically gives me access to any kind of freelance work I could want for. Nothing is barred just because I am lacking NIC, however I will get an immediate pay bump of $11/hour when I get certified. And I will lose my licensure if after 8 years I do not increase my credentials. So there is an incentive there.
As a certified interpreter and someone with 6 years of experience recruiting Interpreters full time, nationwide, pursue certification if you have the chance to do so. Reason: I have come across several hundreds of Interpreters who wish they had achieved certification earlier in their lives because when you get older, it gets harder to actually do it and be successful. Also, I've witnessed dozens of Interpreters who regret not getting certified when they had the chance because: 1) They have to move states for some unforseen reason 2) Their own state implements licensure or certification laws
You don't want to be caught in, "I wish I would have..." My mother has been Interpreting for 35 years. She never took/passed the certification exams and regrets not doing it when she was younger. Now, she is 62 years old and is desperately re-taking the performance exam over and over again because our state just established certification to work in DHEC-regulated medical settings, and she is a staff Interpreter at a hospital.
You never know where life takes you. The NIC is your all-access pass. Get it! 👏
This is the answer that makes the most sense to me, thank you!
If you want to limit your future prospects, then sure, don't take it.
National Certification is the gold standard that opens every door and assures you the highest rates of pay, in any state. You never know where life takes you - get the credentials you can as early as you can.
I always said that you need to get your NIC for the "street cred"- having this makes you respected as a professional across the board in our field.
EIPA is not a certification and it only assesses your skills in the K12 environment. You would receive so many more work opportunities with the NIC. There is also the BEI if you want to go that route.
I also live in a state like the one you described. I have my state license, but that's it. The problem with this is that if I ever move to another state, I may not be able to interpret there. NIC would allow me to more easily move if I need to
It certainly depends on where you are and what you want to do in your career. If you are happy spending your career in a school, and the state doesn't care what credentials you have for other work, then that works for you. You might not benefit much from having it other than a pay bump.
Here where I live, there is some work you can't do unless certified. Ex: Voc rehab, court, etc. It also offers a pay bump to whatever work you already do.
Some Deaf consumers also will want to only use certified interpreters. There is at least some semblance of an assurance of skill there since we have to maintain the credential.
I think some people may disagree with me on this, but I think there is an added status or level of respect/credibility you get when you can say you are nationally certified, or they see those letters after your name. People are more willing to listen to your opinions if you are speaking about your profession. That's why certifications exist. they assure people that you (in theory) know what you're talking about.
It's also a nationally accepted credential. If you happen to move to another state, then you are assured a job.