Certification & Licensure - New Mexico RID

Certification Facts

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) credentials Signed Language interpreters on a national level. The Board of Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) also credentials interpreters and is accepted in many states.
In order to be fully licensed in the state of New Mexico, it is required that interpreters obtain a nationally recognized certification within five years.
Several versions of national level testing have been implemented through RID. Previously offered RID certifications are still fully recognized as valid measurements of an interpreter’s skills. Some levels of BEI are also accepted by the state of NM.
In order to maintain certification, interpreters are required to participate in professional development activities which are tracked by RID.
To ensure that you are hiring a qualified interpreter, hiring entities and consumers of interpreting services may ask an interpreter to show a valid RID membership card stating their current certification, along with proof of state licensure. Alternative credentials such as BEI are also applicable.

Interpreting licensure laws vary from state to state.
The state of New Mexico requires all interpreters to be licensed.
Licensure helps to protect consumers of interpreting services.
Practicing interpreting without a license is a misdemeanor and individuals practicing without a license can be jailed or fined up to $1000.
Specialized settings can require specialized skills. It is the responsibility of the interpreter to only accept work within their qualifications and skillset.
The Signed Language Interpreting Board maintains a searchable database of licensed interpreters.
Non-resident interpreters working in New Mexico must register with the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD).
Students in an Interpreter Training Program practicum are exempt from holding a license but must register with the Regulation and Licensing Department.

Community License
- Initial application cost: $65
- Given to interpreters who hold RID generalist certificates and/or one of the following certifications issued by BEI: BEI Advanced or Master; BEI IV or V; BEI Level IV Intermediary or Level V Intermediary.
Educational License
- Initial application cost: $65
- Given to interpreters who have Ed: K-12 certification from RID.
- Interpreters can qualify for this license by meeting the criteria for the Ed: K-12 credential. (RID Associate Membership, EIPA Performance Score 4.0 or higher, EIPA Written Test passing result, proof of BA/BS degree or alternative pathway approved by RID, and payment)
- Interpreters work in the K-12 setting and can only work in post-secondary settings if the consumer is enrolled in a secondary program and the course is not for college credit.
Provisional License
- Initial application cost: $40
- Given to interpreters who have graduated from an interpreting training program, but have not yet achieved RID/BEI Certification.
- Interpreters may hold an educational and provisional license simultaneously.
- Interpreters applying for a provisional license more than three years after ITP graduation must submit a résumé and one professional letter of reference from an employer, internship supervisor, mentorship director, graduate school, or other applicable source documenting continued involvement in interpreting or the Deaf community.

Interpreters holding a community or educational interpreting license must renew every two years.
- Renewal Fee: $50
Interpreters holding a provisional interpreting license must renew annually.
- Renewal Fee: $25
Late renewals are charged a $20 late fee.
Interpreters must keep contact information up-to-date with the Signed Language Interpreting Practice Board, so that they can receive notifications about renewal.
It is the interpreter’s responsibility to be aware of when their license expires and renew it.
For more information on licensure, or to renew your license online, please see the Signed Language Interpreting Practice Board website.
For more information on obtaining or renewing a business license, please see the City Applications website.

Courts in New Mexico:

NM Court Interpreters must meet higher standards of interpreting
Three categories dictate settings where interpreters can work:
- Certified: Legal Specialist: These interpreters have achieved the SC: L or CDI credentials from RID
- Certified: Legally Qualified : These interpreters have passed the SC: L written test or, for Deaf interpreters, have sufficient legal training
- Certified: Legal Apprentice : There interpreters have experience interpreting in other settings, but have just begun working in legal settings and cannot interpret at trials or with juries
The SC:L credential is no longer offered by RID. For more detailed information regarding court interpreting and pathways for interpreters to work in court settings please view the NM Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s Fact Sheet on the matter: https://www.cdhh.nm.gov/resources/fact-sheets/