According to the RID Annual Reports, the pass rate of the NIC is quickly dropping, from 77% in 2010 to a shocking 26% in 2014. With the current iteration of the NIC, the pass rate has dropped to nearly half that of the first year it was available (51% in 2011). This decline suggests that the current exam is invalid, and many are concerned that the testing format of 4-minute vignettes does not sufficiently mimic real-life interpreting scenarios.

Dr. Dennis Cokely sent a letter to the RID board in 2012 raising valid questions about the enhanced NIC exam. To quote Dr. Cokely:

“A clear, empirically supported explanation of why the current NIC assessment is valid and can be reliably assessed by raters must be provided to the membership.”

(Click here to read his letter that explains his - and our - concerns in detail.)

More and more states are turning to licensing as a way to protect clients from unqualified signers, and often the requirement for licensure is RID certification. Therefore, it is imperative that we have a reliable and valid exam in place. We recognize that RID is in the process of assembling a certification task force, but we feel the following points need to be addressed with urgency:

Determine NIC exam validity and establish full transparency about the testing process

If the test is deemed invalid, develop a new test

Publish the NIC rubric so candidates may properly prepare before testing

Provide more in-depth, personalized feedback on test results

Offer certification process extensions to candidates until a valid test is in place

These actions will help ensure competent interpreters aren’t forced out of the profession due to an invalid certification process.

Our goal is to get as many signatures as possible before August 7th, so that the petition can be seen at the RID National Conference. If you choose to sign this petition, we encourage you to use the “I’m signing because…” box to explain to the RID board why this is important to you, as well as indicate if you are an RID member.