Thank you for your interest in applying for the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) Screening!

The Screening application requires documentation of the following:

1. The successful completion of an Interpreter Training Program (ITP) or other training/experience deemed equivalent, such as Road to Deaf Interpreting, The COMPASS Program for Heritage Language Interpreters, or other alternative pathway
2. Employment history
3. Interpreting experience

Applicants who have not completed an ITP must demonstrate knowledge/competence in the following areas:

• ASL (advanced level)
• Deaf culture
• Interpreter role and ethics
• The interpreting process

Also, applicants who haven’t completed an ITP must submit documentation that shows they have completed 320-350 contact hours of training in the following areas:

• ASL acquisition^*
• Ethics/The Code of Professional Conduct (theory and application)
• Interpreting theory
• Team interpreting^**
• Power, Privilege, & Oppression (PPO)
• Consecutive and Simultaneous interpreting
• Visual Gestural Communication (VG)^**
• Interpreting Observation
• Interpreting Practicum

* for ASL/spoken English interpreter applicants
** for Deaf interpreter applicants

It is preferred for applicants to also have knowledge/competence in linguistics (ASL and English), Deaf history, and ASL literature and to have had practice and/or mentor-guided interpreting experience. This can be demonstrated by attending workshops focused on those topics or college courses.

After we receive all of your completed application forms including references, your application will be reviewed and you will be notified whether your application is approved or not.

If your application materials are not received within one year from the application date, the application will expire and the application and Screening fees are non-refundable. If you would still like to take the screening after your initial application has expired, a new application, payment, and supporting materials will need to be submitted.

Those who book a slot and cancel within a week or less notice will not be reimbursed for the processing fee. It is due to our inability to find a replacement for your slot with such short notice. Extenuating circumstances will be considered.

Candidates who are approved will be informed as to the next available Screening dates.

Candidates taking the interview will be expected to know the information in the Resource Guide and be able to apply this information to real-life situations. The Resource Guide can be found on our MCDHH website.

If you have any questions, please email: MCDHHScreening@mass.gov.

Please list any formal interpreter education you have completed since your initial application for the screening.

Use the space below to detail your education or attach documentation as required.

If your training is more than 3 years ago

If more than 3 years have passed since completing your interpreter training, regardless of whether your training was an ITP (Interpreter Training Program), RDI (Road to Deaf Interpreting), or Alternative Pathway, you must provide verification of continued involvement in the field to qualify for the MCDHH Screening.

Candidates must demonstrate that they engaged in annual ongoing professional development as follows:

• 12 hours of interpreting training (e.g., workshop, training, etc.) annually, which must include at least one workshop per year
• Supplemental can be the total of 12 hours/year in any combination:
  • ACET (Accredited Continuing Education Training)
  • CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

In addition to interpreting training, other hours may be verified through:

• Transcript of the workshops you attended
• Certification of attendances with a spreadsheet listing the workshops, dates, and number of CEUs/ACETs
• A letter from a mentor outlining the candidate's professional development
• Documentation of volunteer interpreting work or other activities demonstrating involvement in the interpreting field

Candidates are responsible for submitting all required documentation to verify eligibility and ongoing training such as RID transcript, certification of attendance/completion.

Please upload any verification to show that you took workshops, etc. recommended by the Evaluation team. A letter from your mentor stating what you practice and learned also can be used as a verification. Examples: Certification of Attendance, CEUs

Please rate your interpreting experience in those areas below. (1 = limited, 2 = moderate & 3 = considerable)

(Check all that apply)

Please list your three references

Your references must include:

• One Certified ASL/spoken English interpreter or educator
• Two Deaf consumers

Remember that your references should have seen you interpret within three years.

Please check the MCDHH website for the Reference form where your references can submit their references.

If your Screening was over a year ago, References are required. If it does not apply, please put N/A.

Please list your three references

Your references must include:

• One Deaf Interpreter (CDI/RSC/SDI)
• Deaf consumer
• Certified ASL/spoken English interpreter

Your references should have seen you interpret. Your interpreting does not have to have been as a formal interpreting assignment; it could have been at a party or informal gathering.

Please check the MCDHH website for the Reference form where your references can submit their references.

If your Screening was over a year ago, References are required. If it does not apply, please put N/A.

Please submit your application payment. Refer to the Screening fee information below. The application fee is non-refundable.

The payment via check or money order must be sent to MCDHH. The mailing address is provided below.

Screening Fee:

• Interview: $75
• Retake Interview: $60
• Performance or Retake Performance: $60

Mailing Address:

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Interpreter Screening Program
40 Broad Street 4th floor
Boston, MA 02109

Identifying yourself with demographic questions is voluntary, and we hope you will choose to do so because it allows us to see if we are achieving our goal to have a workplace that reflects the diversity of the populations that we serve.

If you are willing to fill out the demographic information, please click here to access the separate form.

The submission of this information is voluntary and anonymous.

Please submit your application payment. Refer to the Screening fee information below. The application fee is non-refundable.

The payment via check or money order must be sent to MCDHH. The mailing address is provided below.

Screening Fee:

• Interview: $55
• Retake Interview: $40
• Performance or Retake Performance: $45

Mailing Address:

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Interpreter Screening Program
40 Broad Street 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02109

Identifying yourself with demographic questions is voluntary, and we hope you will choose to do so because it allows us to see if we are achieving our goal to have a workplace that reflects the diversity of the populations that we serve.

If you are willing to fill out the demographic information, please click here to access the separate form.

The submission of this information is voluntary and anonymous.