Guide to Earning CEUs

American Sign Language Interpreters certified by RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) are required to earn 8.0 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for every 4 year cycle.

 
  • Picture of a right hand with a blue pen writing on a wood table with a mug.

    Independent Study

    Independent Study is a great way to create your own educational learning plan or you can sign up for the ones we have created for you in our CEU Store. An Independent Study project must be agreed upon and approved prior to the starting of the project. You can create a plan to study any topic you would like! Depending on the topic the Independent Study can count as Professional Studies or General Studies CEUs. See more details below. *Cannot be done retro-active, must have approved by a sponsor prior beginning the Independent Study.

    Our recommendation: Sign-up for our Independent Study Projects in our CEU store or create your own. You can even earn CEUs for developing curriculum or actively mentoring.

    Click Here For RID CEU Details
  • Picture of an empty old performance theater with rows of red chairs facing a red curtain over the stage.

    PINRA

    Participant-initiated non-RID Activity (PINRA) is the perfect option to earn CEUs while attending community workshops, ASL performances, or events that are not already offering CEUs as an RID sponsored event. In order to request these types of CEUs 1) Contact us for the PINRA Application in order to verify your event does qualify for CEUs. 2) Submit payment. 3) Provide proof of attendance. *Cannot be applied retroactive. Must have received approval prior to attendance.

    Our recommendation: Check out our Upcoming Events Page! Also, follow your local Deaf events calendar as you can earn CEUs for all Deaf panels, lectures, film festivals, performances, and theater. Do not forgot to check your local library, museum, and colleges for educational lectures and cultural events.

    Learn More about PINRA
  • Wood table with a stack of 4 books on the left side with an apple on top. In the middle of the table their are some colored pencils. On the right side of the table are 3 stacks ABC wood blocks.

    Academic Courswork

    College courses can count towards CEUs if they are taken for credit at a college recognized by CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation). Successful completion is defined as receiving a minimum letter grade of “C” (2.0) or above. If a course is being audited or taken through the a continuing education program they must be applied for beforehand by using PINRA. *Can be done retro-active, as long as it is done and completed within the cycle the courses were taken.

    Our recommendation: If you have taken a college course send us your transcript! If you are thinking about taking a course contact us to find out if it will count as Professional or General Studies.

    Learn More About Academic Coursework
  • Black and white picture of two hands in position to sign fluent or smooth.

    RID Sponsored Workshops

    Attending an RID Sponsored Workshop is an easy way to earn CEUs. Upon attending RID Workshop you simply need to sign in with your name and RID member number and the CEUs earned will be reported on your member account.

    Are you hosting a workshop and would like to provide RID CEUs to your attendees? If so, contact us with a recommended 45 days notice to complete your application for approval. *Workshops wanting to provide CEUs must submit application in advance. 45 days notice is recommended.

    Learn More About Hosting A Workshop

Professional Studies

All areas of study that directly apply or affect the field of interpreting. Examples of Professional Studies topics include: studies of language, culture, human behavior and specialized areas. Specialized ares of study include: medical, legal, education, tech, ethics, rehabilitation, and performance.

A minimum of six (6) of the eight (8) required CEUs will be counted toward certification maintenance.

 

Power, Privilege, and Oppression (PPO)

*Starting in 2019, All new and renewing RID certification cycles are required to earn 1.0, 10 contact hours, within the specialty of Power, Privilege, Oppression.

You can sign up for our PPO CEU offerings or contact us to create your own. Topics include: Challenging injustice, respecting and valuing diversity, Protection of equal access, Social Justice/Liberation studies, Cultural competence, and Identity.

General Studies

Include topics that enhance the interpreter/transliterator’s base of general or world knowledge. The study must still be a legitimate educational program with clearly defined educational goals and measurable objectives.

There are no minimum requirements for CEUs in this category, however, only two (2) of the eight (8) required CEUs will be counted toward certification maintenance.

 

Calculating CEU Hours

The ratio for contact hours vs CEUs is 1:0.1. A contact hour is considered an hour of direct learning. Therefore, 1 workshop hour = 1 CEU hour = 0.1 CEUs. When calculating CEUs for an independent study project please note the following:

Reading is a 2:1 ratio, therefore 1 hour reading = .5 CEU hour = 0.05 CEUs. Writing is a 3:1 ratio, therefore 3 hours of writing = 1 CEU hour = 0.1 CEUs. Academic credit hours count as a 1:1.5 CEU ratio for semester credits and 1:1 CEU ratio for quarter systems.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If your hold another certificate or license that requires you to earn CEUS and accepts RID CEUs, then we are happy to help. Upon purchase, you will simply fill out your application per normal. When the form asks for your RID Member number, please write in “None.” Upon completion of your project, we will provide you with a formal certificate of completion you can provide to your licensing organization.

  • The CEUs (Continuing Education Units) advertised and offered on our site meet the educational and sponsorship requirements for the Certification Maintenance Program of the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. Our approved sponsor is Trista Smith.

  • PINRA (Participant-initiated non-RID Activity) applications require Proof of Attendance in order to earn CEUs. Proof of attendance can be a variety of things depending on the event, make sure to ask your sponsor. Typically, proof of attendance will look like a certificate of attendance, ticket and event program, or an instructor signed document. Important information need is the date, time, location, title/description, and proof of your attendance.

  • We believe your local mentors and education centers should be used as your primary sources for language and skills development. However, as certified interpreters you encounter everything and anything. Therefore, we are focusing on growing your general world knowledge, alongside expanding understanding of the arts, culture, and race. Most of your local workshops and educational events likely will have RID CEUs already offered. However, if they do not we would be please to make this possible.