New Educational Interpreters Licenses

 Eligibility under PI 34.086(2): Applicants must meet all of the following requirements of this section:

1. Hold an interpreter training program certificate from an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university. The program shall include the following coursework:

    

   • English to American Sign Language interpretation
   • American Sign Language to English interpretation
   • Transliterating and oral interpreting
   • Current practices for interpreters in educational settings
   • Ethical practices as it relates to interpreters
2. Completed a practicum of at least 150 hours in grades pre-kindergarten through grade 12 with a licensed educational interpreter assigned as a mentor. Completion shall be verified by a representative from a higher education interpreter training program or the school district administrator where the practicum took place.
3. Has a passing score on the written and educational interpreter performance assessment (EIPA), set by the state superintendent in consultation with the state superintendent’s advisory council on deaf and hard of hearing programs. Current passing score for the EIPA performance is 3.3.

Alternative Eligibility Under PI 34.086(3)

An educational interpreter license may also be issued to an applicant who meets components all of the requirements of this section:

1. Holds one of the following licenses or certifications:

    

   • A sign language interpreter license issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services as approved by the State Superintendent
   • One of the following certifications from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf:
     • National Interpreter Certification
     • Registry for Interpreters of the Deaf K-12
     • Certificate of interpretation and certificate of transliteration
     • Comprehensive skills certificate
     • Master comprehensive skills certificate
     • Certified deaf interpreter or deaf interpreter
     • A basic, advanced, or master certification from the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters
     • Certification from an organization approved by the state superintendent in consultation with the state superintendent’s advisory council on deaf and hard of hearing programs
2. Completed a practicum of at least 150 hours in grades pre-kindergarten through grade 12 with a licensed educational interpreter assigned as a mentor. Completion shall be verified by a representative from a higher education interpreter training program or the school district administrator where the practicum took place.

How to Apply for First-time Educational Interpreter License:

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1. Determine if you must submit fingerprints

• Use the fingerprint decision tree to determine if this step is needed. If you have determined that you need fingerprints, submit them electronically via our vendor Fieldprint by following the Electronic Fingerprint Submission directions.

2. Gather Documents

Review the information above for eligibility requirements. There are two eligibility options. Scan all documentation into files (.pdf, .doc/docx, .jpg/jpeg, or .txt) that are 2MB or less in size

• To apply via completion of an approved interpreter training program in PI 34.086 (2), please provide:
  • Transcripts verifying completion of an approved interpreter training program
  • EIPA performance test results
  • EIPA written test results
  • PI-1612-INT form completed by the appropriate designee at your approved interpreter training program
• To apply via certification from one of the organizations listed under alternative eligibility in PI 34.086(3), please provide:
  • Verification of a valid certification from one of the organizations listed under PI 34.086 (3).
  • Verification of completion of at least a 150 hour practicum in a PK-12 setting or a PI-1613-employment verification verifying two semesters of experience as an educational interpreter in a PK-12 setting.
• Preview the ELO Conduct & Competency Questions to see if you will need to provide documentation of any alleged misconduct.

• Choose "4-Other Category"
• Choose "Educational Interpreter License [O020]"
• Choose "Other: Request Educational Interpreter License [1020]"

• Click the “GO!” button..

5. Complete Application on ELO

• Click the GO! button next to “Submit C&C and Payment to Complete Application.”
• Review your fees.
• Complete the Conduct and Competency Questionnaire (14 questions).
• Pay with a credit card or pre-paid card.