Services for interpreters

Current list of approved continuing education (CE) activities

All interpreters working in the courts are strongly encouraged to seek out additional training opportunities to expand their knowledge and enhance their language and interpreting skills. All spoken language interpreters who appear on the Roster are required to obtain Continuing Education (CE) credits during a two-year compliance period in order to maintain their certification with the CIP.

Application

Compliance form

Interpreters subject to CE requirements include:

• Certified interpreters whose credentials were conferred through the CIP and who reside in Wisconsin;
• Certified interpreters whose credentials were conferred through the CIP and who reside in a state or territory without a CE requirement;
• Certified interpreters whose credentials were conferred from another state, territory, or entity who reside in a state or territory without a CE requirement that appear on the roster through reciprocity;
• Provisional interpreters in any spoken language other than Spanish; and
• Provisional-B and Authorized interpreters.

Certified interpreters listed on Wisconsin's roster who reside out of state must provide proof of compliance with that jurisdiction's CE requirement by the applicable deadline. ASL interpreters who appear on the roster as Certified or Provisional must complete CE requirements established by RID and provide proof of compliance to the CIP in a timely manner.

Continuing education requirements for spoken languages

Interpreters outlined in the previous section will be required to complete CE credits every two (2) years in accordance with their credential level to maintain in good standing with the CIP.

Every clock hour shall be counted as one credit hour of CE, up to a maximum of eight (8) credit hours per single educational topic. Continuing education credit is approved for a minimum of one (1) hour and is measured in half-hour increments.

A maximum of six (6) continuing education credits earned in excess of the sixteen (16) or ten (10) hour requirement in any compliance period will be eligible to be carried over to the next two-year compliance period. If an interpreter earns more than two (2) ethics credits in a compliance period, the additional credits may carry over as general credits but will not be counted toward the ethics requirement for the next reporting period.

Compliance period

All rostered interpreters must report their continuing education credits every two years. “Compliance period” means the two-year period ending on April 1, during which an interpreter must satisfy and report the continuing education requirement set forth by SCR 63.10 of the Code of Ethics for Court Interpreters. The compliance period for an interpreter is determined by the year he or she was certified or became active on the roster in Wisconsin. Starting on April 1, 2022, the compliance period for an interpreter whose certification or roster activation date took place in an even-numbered year shall end on April 1 of an even-numbered year. The compliance period for an interpreter whose certification or roster activation date occurred in an odd-numbered year shall end on April 1 of an odd-numbered year.

Accepted training for spoken languages

Accepted CE activities are activities approved by the CIP. They may include courses offered at accredited institutions of higher learning; local and national interpreting or translation conferences; workshops sponsored by professional organizations; educational events organized by the CIP; online courses, webinars, and activities approved for continuing legal education credit (e.g. teaching a relevant workshop or class); and group or self-study activities approved in advance by the CIP. Continuing education credits should reflect a variety of training, and therefore no single educational topic shall be awarded more than eight (8) credit hours. The CIP will maintain a list of national, state, and local providers considered preapproved sponsors of CE activities along with approved courses listing the number of credits on the court system's website. This list will be updated regularly as new activities are added. Other activities or events offered by a provider not yet approved as a sponsor of CE must obtain approval by the CIP before being included on the CE compliance form.

Continuing education requirements for Provisional American Sign Language interpreters

Accepted training for Provisional American Sign Language interpreters

Provisional American Sign Language interpreters may take any legal interpreting training offered by RID, the Court Interpreter Program or credits from the list of approved continuing education courses.

Compliance period for Provisional American Sign Language interpreters

All Provisional American Sign Language Interpreters must report their continuing education credits every two years. “Compliance period” means the two-year period ending on October 1. The first reporting cycle for Provisional American Sign Language interpreters is October 1, 2025.

Approval request–Participant (Spoken and Provisional American Sign Language interpreters)

An interpreter who seeks CE credit for a course or workshop being offered by an provider that is not a pre-approved sponsor may request approval by submitting a form "Continuing Education Approval Request – Participant" at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the event. The CIP manager will inform the interpreter of the result of the request via email which will the number of CE credits if the event has been approved.

Approval request–Provider

A provider who is not a pre-approved sponsor who seeks CE credit for an event the provider is offering may request approval by submitting a form "Continuing Education Approval Request – Provider" at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the event. The CIP manager will inform the provider of the result of the request via email which will include the number of CE credits if the event has been approved. A non-refundable application fee of $50 per course per calendar year is required; not to exceed $300 per provider per calendar year.

Credit for teaching (Spoken-language interpreters only)

Interpreters who serve as instructors for interpreter-related educational activities sponsored or approved by the CIP are eligible to receive CE credit related to that activity up to a maximum of eight (8) hours per compliance period. Interpreters who serve as faculty for the CIP during orientations may claim working at one orientation as CE per compliance period. Interpreters who serve as a lecturer and a small group leader may claim no more than eight (8) CE credits per orientation while interpreters who serve as a small group leader may claim no more than six (6) CE credits per orientation.

Verification of compliance

Every interpreter who is required to comply with CE policies is responsible for completing the CIP's compliance form listing qualifying activities at the conclusion of each two-year reporting period and submitting it to the CIP. (See Appendix D.) The interpreter must maintain supporting documentation to verify compliance with minimum CE requirements for a three-year period and be prepared to submit to the CIP if requested.

Non-compliance

If interpreter fails to submit a compliance form at the end of the two-year reporting period, then he/she will be deemed out of compliance. If it is determined that an interpreter is out of compliance with CE requirements, the CIP manager will inform the interpreter in writing that he/she is not in compliance with the CE requirement. The interpreter will have a 60-day grace period in which to meet CE requirements and provide proof to the CIP. If the interpreter remains in non-compliance at the end of the grace period, the CIP manager will refer the matter to the Character and Fitness sub-committee to devise a recommendation to the Director as to an appropriate disposition.