The Content Areas in which interpreters/transliterators can receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are divided into two categories: Professional Studies (linguistic and cultural studies; theoretical and experiential studies; specialization studies) and General Studies (human service and leadership; general knowledge studies). In determining the Content Areas, the RID Professional Development Committee (PDC) considered the recommended standards in the curriculum section of the Conference of Interpreter Trainers’ (CIT) Educational Standards Package.

• Professional Studies 

Professional Studies contain content that directly applies or affects the field of interpreting/transliterating. These are areas of investigation that enhance the interpreting process regardless of the setting. They are studies that deepen the member’s ability to provide excellence through their work. A minimum of 6.0 CEUs must be completed in this section during each Certification Maintenance Cycle. Examples of Professional Studies topics include, but are not limited to:

1. Advanced studies of language, culture, and human behavior: Languaculture; intracultural and intercultural dynamics; and linguistic systems. Examples include, but are in no way limited to: 

• Studies of Language and Linguistic Structure of ASL
  • Phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics
  •  Language variation and language change 
• Sociolinguistics
  • Language and power 
  • Language and cognition
  • Language Studies
    • Advanced English development (specialized vocabulary, grammar development, analysis of linguistic register, etc.) 
    • Advanced ASL development (specialized vocabulary, grammar development, analysis of linguistic register, etc.) 
    • Other advanced languages studies: e.g., Spanish, Japanese, Langue des Signes Francaise (LSF), Deutsche Gebärdensprache (DGS) 
• Languaculture and Cultural Studies (Note: languaculture refers to language mechanics and the use of language, including cultural components that inform the use of language, such as history and traditions. Term attributed to anthropologist Michael Agar.) 
  • Intracultural dynamics 
    • Communication studies (e.g., interpersonal communication)
    • Studies of group dynamics 
    • Language as power
  • Cultural Studies 
    • Deaf culture
    • American culture
    • Religious Studies 
  • Intercultural dynamics 
    • Studies of power, privilege and bias
    • Studies of social justice
    • Cross-cultural studies
    • Minority group dynamics
    • Language domination, suppression and elevation

1. Theoretical and Experiential Studies: The process of interpreting/transliterating through the direct application of systems of principles, philosophy, ideas or concepts. Examples include: 

• History and issues in interpretation and transliteration 
• Theory of interpretation and transliteration 
• Skills development in interpretation and/or transliteration 
• Skills development in consecutive and simultaneous interpretation 
• Professional ethics, etc. 

1. Specialization Studies: Huge growth of the interpreting field has led many interpreters to specialize or focus in one or two settings of specialty. Commonly these are areas such as medical or mental healthcare, legal work or work in education at the K-12 level or in post-secondary settings. This requires interpreters to build competence and knowledge in areas of expanded technical vocabulary or systems knowledge that is not common or generally necessary for the generalist interpreter. Building skills in more narrowly focused areas within the broader field of interpreting or transliterating. Documentation must be present detailing the way in which the activity relates to the development of interpreting skills in that particular field or setting. Examples include aspects of:

• Educational settings (e.g., philosophies of Deaf education, graduate research strategies)
• Rehabilitation settings
• Legal settings (e.g., courtroom protocol, mediation law)
• Medical or mental health settings (e.g. medical terminology, anatomy & physiology in ASL and English) 
• Substance abuse recovery programs 
• Technical areas 
• Ethics as applied in specialized settings, etc. 

1. Power, Privilege & Oppression​: Refers to the phenomena by which members of a society are unfairly advantaged and may be unaware of – or unwilling to recognize – the advantage. The result is oppression at the systemic, societal, and individual level wrongfully limiting another’s access to resources. This is rooted in the perception of entitlement – or lack thereof- based on social group membership and may manifest in covert and overt practices/behaviors that seek to keep that advantage, and result in abuse of assumed power and privilege. All of which contribute to perpetuating the privilege, individual biases, and social and systemic oppression. These behaviors can be but are not limited to:

• Narratives/perspectives of fear and hate/stereotyping by those who are privileged
• Assumed authority/dominance over “others” (internalized biases)
• Agent & Target group membership ( e.g., exclusionary/preferential practices)
• Control over social mobility
• Unearned advantages and conferred dominance
• Systems of oppression (e.g. ableism, ageism, audism, classism, racism,sexism, heterosexism, transgender oppression, vidism, etc. )
• Dynamics of oppression (e.g. institutionalized oppression, prejudice, vertical and horizontal violence/bullying, etc.)
• Stereotyping
• Marginalization
• Support of the status quo
• Avoidance of conversations about “-isms”
• Creation of barriers (e.g. poverty, unemployment, and the school to prison pipeline)
• Unbalanced (or inequitable) access to wealth, professional/educational opportunities, social status
• Internalized supremacy

Consistent with the RID Code of Professional Conduct, interpreters are required to develop the sensitivity needed to identify such phenomena, and build competence and knowledge in the following areas with a goal of promoting and practicing social justice and dismantling oppressive systems. Education in this sector should include, but not be limited to:

• Challenging injustice
• Respecting and valuing diversity
• Respecting and valuing humanity
• Protection of equal access
• Identifying and embracing individual “filters”
• Identifying and acknowledging individual perceptions of privilege
• Changing the narratives of compassion and respect
• Promoting inclusion, freedom and equality
• Challenging the status quo
• Engaging in conversations about “-isms”
• Removal of barriers
• Social Justice/Liberation studies
• Cultural competence
• Identity
• Intersectionality
• Invitational communication/interaction
• Accountability
• Trauma-informed approaches to interpreting

Some Clarifying Notes about PPO CEUs

• General Studies 

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.

Hosts using UTRID as a CMP sponsor have responsibilities they must adhere to in order to get CEUs for themselves and/or for workshop participants. Failure to adhere to these responsibilities or to follow UTRID’s guidelines may lead to the inability to get CEUs. Please refer to Continuing Education Activity Form for steps and a full list of requirements.

Activities are presented for group instruction or for individual study. Examples include short courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, teleconferences, and distance learning (e.g. continuing education publications, teleconferences, multimedia instruction materials, and programmed learning materials)

The Host shall provide activities that meet the following requirements: 

1. The educational content should follow the stated objectives of the continuing education activity.
2. The continuing education activity should be of sufficient duration to achieve the stated educational objectives.
3. The content of the continuing education activity should be designed to explore one
subject or a group of closely related subjects. If the activity involves multiple components, such as in a lecture series, all segments should be devoted to integrally related subjects.
4. The audiovisual aids and supportive materials should be current, suitable and appropriate.
5. The method of delivery should allow for and encourage active involvement on the part of the participant, feedback, and reinforcement of the learned knowledge or skill.
6. The Host shall verify that members of the teaching staff of all continuing education
activities are qualified (credentials, training, experience and expertise in the subject
matter to be presented). All instructors should demonstrate high ethical standards of
professional conduct and be sensitive to RID members’ individual differences with regard to age, gender, socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation.
7. The Host shall formulate plans for advanced continuing education activities suitable for certified interpreters.

Hosts must complete a Continuing Education Activity Plan 45 days in advance to allow the CMP team to process the submission. The CMP team is a volunteer position and individuals serving often have other responsibilities.

The following information is required on the Plan:

1. Target Audience: The Sponsor shall define the target audience for each continuing
   education activity. In planning the activity, Sponsors should assess the needs of the
   target audience. The target audience should be clearly specified in all promotional
   outreach, media, and materials.
2. Educational Objectives: The Sponsor shall specify the observable, measurable
   educational objectives of each continuing education activity. These objectives must be
   published in promotional outreach, media, and materials announcing the activity.
3. Content Knowledge Level: The content knowledge level is related to participant’s
   familiarity with the topic, regardless of their interpreting skill or experience. The content knowledge level should be classified according to the following definitions.

3.1 Little/NO: This level assumes little or no information on the part of the
participant within the topic area. The focus of the activity is a general orientation
and increase of understanding. This category also includes activities that assume
the audience to have diverse levels of knowledge due to the nature of the event.
For example, professional issue forum, conference, discussion group, etc.
3.2 Some: This level assumes the participant has some familiarity with the literature and professional practice within the topic covered. The general focus of the activity is to increase understanding and application of the participant.
3.3 Extensive: This level assumes the participant has extensive familiarity with current literature and professional practice within the topic covered. The focus of the activity is upon recent advances, future directions and applications of research.
3.4 Teaching: This level assumes the participant to be educators of interpreters. At this instructional level, the content of the CEU activity will focus on acquisition of current pedagogical techniques for the preparation of interpreters/transliterators.

The Host shall specify the content knowledge level of each activity in all promotional media, outreach or material efforts.

4. Content Area: The host shall specify the Content Area of each Activity in all
promotional media, outreach and materials. The Content Areas should be specified as
Professional Studies or General Studies. These areas are described in detail here:  https://utrid.com/content-areas/

The Host shall verify participant attendance and completion of all course materials and requirements of each submitted activity.

Source:RID Standards and Criteria

The Content Areas in which interpreters/ transliterators can receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are divided into two categories: Professional Studies (linguistic and cultural studies; theoretical and experiential studies; specialization studies) and General Studies (human service and leadership; general knowledge studies). In determining the Content Areas, the RID Professional Development Committee (PDC) considered the recommended standards in the curriculum section of the Conference of Interpreter Trainers’ (CIT) Educational Standards Package.

Professional Studies
Professional Studies contain content that directly applies or affects the field of interpreting/transliterating. These are areas of investigation that enhance the interpreting process regardless of the setting. They are studies that deepen the member’s ability to provide excellence through their work. A minimum of 6.0 CEUs must be completed in this section during each Certification
Maintenance Cycle. Examples of Professional Studies topics include, but are not limited to:

1. Advanced studies of language, culture, and human behavior: Languaculture; intracultural and intercultural dynamics; and linguistic systems. Examples include but are in no way limited to:

• • • Studies of Language and Linguistics
      • • Structure of ASL
        • Phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics
        • Language variation and language change
        • Sociolinguistics
        • Language and power
        • Language and cognition
        • Language Studies
          • Advanced English development (specialized vocabulary, grammar
            development, analysis of linguistic register, etc.)
          • Advanced ASL development (specialized vocabulary, grammar
            development, analysis of linguistic register, etc.)
          • Other advanced languages studies: e.g., Spanish, Japanese, Langue des
            Signes Francaise (LSF), Deutsche Gebärdensprache (DGS)
    • Languaculture and Cultural Studies (Note: languaculture refers to language mechanics and the use of language, including cultural components that inform the use of language, such as history and traditions. Term attributed to anthropologist Michael Agar.)
      • • Intracultural dynamics
          • Communication studies (e.g., interpersonal communication)
          • Studies of group dynamics
          • Language as power
        • Cultural Studies
          • Deaf culture
          • American culture
          • Religious Studies
        • Intercultural dynamics
          • Studies of power, privilege and bias
          • Studies of social justice
          • Cross-cultural studies
          • Minority group dynamics
          • Language domination, suppression and elevation

2. Theoretical and Experiential Studies: The process of interpreting/transliterating through the direct application of systems of principles, philosophy, ideas or concepts. Examples include:

• • • History and issues in interpretation and transliteration
    • Theory of interpretation and transliteration
    • Skills development in interpretation and/or transliteration
    • Skills development in consecutive and simultaneous interpretation
    • Professional ethics, etc.

3. Specialization Studies: Huge growth of the interpreting field has led many interpreters to specialize or focus in one or two settings of specialty. Commonly these are areas such as medical or mental healthcare, legal work or work in education at the K-12 level or in post-secondary settings. This requires interpreters to build competence and knowledge in areas of expanded technical vocabulary or systems knowledge that is not common or generally necessary for the generalist interpreter. Building skills in more narrowly focused areas within the broader field of interpreting or transliterating. Documentation must be present detailing the way in which the activity relates to the development of interpreting skills in that particular field or setting. Examples include aspects of:

• • • Educational settings (e.g., philosophies of Deaf education, graduate research
      strategies )
    • Rehabilitation settings
    • Legal settings (e.g., courtroom protocol, mediation law)
    • Medical or mental health settings (e.g. medical terminology, anatomy & physiologyin ASL and English)
    • Substance abuse recovery programs
    • Technical areas
    • Ethics as applied in specialized settings, etc.

Some Clarifying Notes about PPO CEUs

General Studies

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.

Source: RID Standards and Criteria

Academic Coursework Guidelines

*Those using UTRID as a CMP sponsor have responsibilities they must adhere to in order to get CEUs for themselves or for workshop participants. Failure to adhere to these responsibilities or to follow UTRID’s guidelines may lead to the inability to get CEUs.*

Steps to receive CEUs for Academic Coursework

Academic coursework is the only program that does not require prior approval from a CMP sponsor.

1. Review RID’s instructions to complete the Academic Coursework form here
2. Complete payment if required (Members receive 1 per year as a benefit of membership, each additional is $10. Only purchase if you have exhausted your yearly benefit.)
3. Complete the Academic Coursework form
   1. Paper form for reference only: Academic Coursework
   2. You will need
      1. Course syllabus
      2. Official transcript showing a grade of “C” or better was obtained in that class.
   3. Upload documentation as instructed in the form
4. Work with CMP sponsor to determine:
   1. Number of CEUs
   2. Type of CEU – Professional Studies or General Studies (a written statement may be required if trying to get PS for a class that does not fit the PS definition as set forth by RID.)
5. Complete all steps before the end of the member’s cycle.

Individuals

PINRA:   Members receive 3 per year as a benefit of membership, each additional is $10 / Non-members $20

Independent Study: Members receive 1 per year as a benefit of membership, each additional is $10 / Non-members $20

Academic Coursework: Members receive 1 per year as a benefit of membership, each additional is $10 / Non-members $20

**Members: only purchase processing if your annual benefit has been exhausted**

Workshops & Conferences

Workshops: Organizational members receive 6 per year as a benefit of membership, each additional is $25 / Non-members $75

Conferences: Will be negotiated on a case by case basis

**Members: only purchase processing if your annual benefit has been exhausted**

*Those using UTRID as a CMP sponsor have responsibilities they must adhere to in order to get CEUs for themselves or for workshop participants. Failure to adhere to these responsibilities or to follow UTRID’s guidelines may lead to the inability to get CEUs.*

*Those using UTRID as a CMP sponsor have responsibilities they must adhere to in order to get CEUs for themselves. Failure to adhere to these responsibilities or to follow UTRID’s guidelines may lead to the inability to get CEUs.*

Steps to complete a PINRA and receive CEUs

PINRA submissions are currently delayed, please plan on additional time to receive approval or select an alternate sponsor.

1. Review RID’s guidelines on PINRA qualifications (Note: PINRAs should not be used for sponsor initiated activities or group activities.)
   1. The activity must be Sponsored by an organization with standards specific to its area of expertise. The activity must have a defined format and clearly identified educational objectives. If the application to interpreting is unclear, the application should provide a single page or more describing how attending the activity will improve the applicant’s interpreting work. PINRAs include but are not limited to: auditing a college course, non-credit courses at an educational institution, association or corporate trainings (e.g., American Bar Association, Teacher’s Union, and Social Work Association), school district in-service or an organization’s conventions/workshops. Administrative paperwork is processed by the Sponsor.
2.  Complete payment if required (members: only pay if your member benefits have been exhausted, 3 per year)
3. Complete the PINRA form online BEFORE attending the event (45 days minimum)
   1. For instructions, open RID’s Detailed guide for completing a PINRA in a separate window.
   2. Here is the Paper form for reference only
   3. Upload supporting materials such as event description, conference agenda, learning objectives, flyers, brochures, etc.
   4. Please submit all required information for your request to be processed in a timely fashion. Missing data will slow processing.
4. Work with the CMP Sponsor to determine:
   1. Number of CEUs and if they are Professional Studies or General Studies
   2. How to prove attendance / participation
5. Attend the Event
   1. Photograph certificates or other attendance / participation verification materials as agreed upon with the CMP Sponsor
6. Complete the online PINRA Completion form  within 10 days of event.
   1. Upload photos of attendance / participation verification materials as instructed

*Those using UTRID as a CMP sponsor have responsibilities they must adhere to in order to get CEUs for themselves or for workshop participants. Failure to adhere to these responsibilities or to follow UTRID’s guidelines may lead to the inability to get CEUs.*

Steps to receive CEUs for Independent Studies activities

1. Contact the CMP sponsor to approve the plan before proceeding.
2. Submit payment if required (Members receive 1 per year as a benefit of membership, each additional is $10. Only purchase if you have exhausted your yearly benefit.)
3. Complete the Independent Study form.
   1. Upload supporting materials such as event description, lesson plan, agenda, learning objectives, flyers, brochures, etc
   2. Paper form for reference only: Independent Study Plan
4. Work with the CMP Sponsor to determine:
   1. Number of CEUs and if they are Professional Studies or General Studies
      1. An Independent Study is weighted differently because the learning process is more self-discovery and is developing as the process unfolds. Consider how much time you will devote to this study and how it should be weighted for CEU value.

         The RID CMP follows the guidelines identified by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

         A maximum of 2.0 CEUs can be earned for each project, however it is up to the applicant to outline the work and study that will be included as part of the independent study plan in order to earn the credits they are contracting to for.

         A typical independent study for 2.0 CEUs will require 40-60 hours of time invested by the I.S. applicant.  (Larger projects may be broken into components and filed as separate independent studies earning up to 2.0 CEUs for each.)

      2. CEUs are not a 1:1 ratio, but typically 2-3 hours of work for each .1 CEU credit.
   2. How to prove attendance/participation
5. Complete the Independent Study as outlined
   1. Obtain/maintain verification materials as agreed upon with the CMP Sponsor
6. Submit attendance/ participation verification materials to the CMP Coordinator within 10 days of the event