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How to become a licensed sign language interpreter in South Carolina. Total initial fees: N/A. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Sign Language Interpreter — CI/CT/NIC
Governing Authority
No dedicated licensing board; Sign Language Interpreters Act (Title 40, Chapter 84, 2022 Act No. 188 / H.3795) governs requirements. SCAD, SCRID, and national RID are charged with determining recognized credentials.
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
54% of data points are verified against official sources. 17 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required
No
RID Required
No
BEI Accepted
Not Required
State Exam
0 hrs
CE Hours
N/A
Total Initial Fees
Interpreter Training Program & Degree
Mostly verifiedDegree Required
Not Required
Minimum Degree Level
No state minimum
ITP Program
Not required by state
Accreditation
N/A
Sign language interpreters typically need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with completion of an Interpreter Training Program (ITP). Programs include coursework in American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf culture, interpreting theory, ethics, and practicum experience. CCIE (Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education) accreditation indicates a program meets national standards for interpreter education.
Browse approved sign language interpreter training programs to find the right fit.
Browse Sign Language Interpreter study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Certification Requirements
VerifiedRID Certification Not Required
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
RID Certifications
RID certification or certification approved by SCAD/SCRID/RID required
State Certification
Correct. Recognized certification required for agencies and hospitals effective January 1, 2024 (2022 Act No. 188, H.3795).
BEI Certification N/A
Board for Evaluation of Interpreters
EIPA Not Specified
Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment
The RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) offers the NIC (National Interpreter Certification) as the current national certification. Previously issued CI (Certificate of Interpretation) and CT (Certificate of Transliteration) are no longer offered but still recognized. BEI (Board for Evaluation of Interpreters) testing is used in Texas and accepted in several other states. EIPA (Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment) is used for K-12 educational interpreter qualifications.
Examination Requirements
VerifiedNational Exam Not Required
RID NIC or Equivalent
Performance Exam
No state performance exam required
Knowledge Exam
No state knowledge exam required
No State Exam
State-Specific Exam
Sign language interpreter examinations typically include both a written knowledge component covering ASL linguistics, Deaf culture, interpreting ethics, and professional standards, and a performance component assessing ASL-to-English and English-to-ASL interpreting skills in various settings. The RID NIC exam is the most widely accepted national certification. Some states administer their own exams or accept BEI testing.
Study materials for the NIC interpreter certification exam.
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State Licensing Requirements
VerifiedState License Required
State License Title
Recognized Certified Interpreter (per Sign Language Interpreters Act, Title 40, Chapter 84)
Additional Notes
South Carolina enacted the Sign Language Interpreters Act (Title 40, Chapter 84).
Approximately 30 states require licensure or registration for sign language interpreters. States that do not require licensure include Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Even in non-licensing states, RID certification may be required by employers, courts, or agencies under ADA.
Practice Scope & Services
Mostly verifiedCommunity Interpreting
Authorized
Legal Interpreting
Available
Medical Interpreting
Available
Educational Interpreting
School interpreters must meet State Board of Education regulations and pass background checks
VRI Services
Governed by ADA requirements
Sign language interpreters provide communication access services across multiple settings including community, legal, medical, and educational environments. Legal interpreting involves court proceedings, depositions, and law enforcement interactions. Medical interpreting covers healthcare appointments and informed consent. Educational interpreting serves K-12 students under IDEA. Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) provides real-time ASL interpretation through technology platforms.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | N/A — no state application or licensing fee structure exists under the Act. Credential fees are paid to the certifying body (RID, BEI, etc.). |
License Fee | N/A |
Renewal Fee | N/A |
Total Initial Fees | N/A |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Mostly verifiedN/A — no state-level renewal period exists. Credential maintenance is governed by the issuing certifying body (RID, BEI, SCRID, etc.).
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
N/A
Renewal Fee
CE Details
No state-mandated CE; RID-certified interpreters follow RID CEU requirements
Sign language interpreter licenses must be renewed on schedule with the state licensing authority. RID requires 8.0 CEUs (80 hours) per 4-year certification cycle. State CE requirements typically range from 10-40 hours per renewal cycle and must include courses in interpreting skills development, ASL linguistics, Deaf culture, professional ethics, specialized interpreting, or related professional topics.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
Mostly verifiedEndorsement Available
No
Comity Available
No
Reciprocity Requirements
Most states that license sign language interpreters offer reciprocity or endorsement for licensed interpreters from other states. Requirements typically include verification of current RID NIC certification (or equivalent), meeting education requirements, completing a background check, and submitting a reciprocity application. Some states may require a state-specific jurisprudence exam.
Use our reciprocity lookup tool to compare license transfer options across all 50 states.
South Carolina's Sign Language Interpreters Act (effective 2024) requires certification but not licensure. Certification must be approved by SCAD, SCRID, or RID. School interpreters must undergo the same background checks as educators.
South Carolina enacted the Sign Language Interpreters Act (Title 40, Chapter 84).
Interpreters providing services for government agencies or hospitals must hold recognized certification.
Recognized certification means certification approved by SC Association of the Deaf, SC RID, or national RID.
State Board of Education must develop regulations for credentialing K-12 educational interpreters.
Emergency interpreting exempt from certification requirement.
Supervised internship/mentorship interpreters exempt if accompanied by a certified interpreter.
All six special notes are confirmed accurate by the statute text.
Sections 40-84-110 through 40-84-130 cover all these points explicitly.
Sign Language Interpreter requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (you) | — | 108–218 wks | |
| Georgia | — | 108–218 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $150 | 108–218 wks | → |
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Carolina.
Sign Language Interpreter Schools in South Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#41 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Interpreters and Translators (SOC 27-3091)
Entry Level
$37,320
25th percentile
Median
$47,060
-21% vs. national avg ($59,440)Experienced
$53,300
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
440 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Interpreters and Translators" includes all language interpreters and translators, not just ASL interpreters. Sign language interpreter wages may differ from the combined category.
Source: BLS OEWS – Interpreters and Translators (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+3.6%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+1,900
over 10 years
Annual Openings
8,300
per year (avg.)
53,400 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Estimated total: 108–218 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
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South Carolina requires licensure for sign language interpreters. All licensing is managed through the No dedicated licensing board; Sign Language Interpreters Act (Title 40, Chapter 84, 2022 Act No. 188 / H.3795) governs requirements. SCAD, SCRID, and national RID are charged with determining recognized credentials..
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.