CASLI Frequently Asked Questions
As CASLI receives more questions, or has answers that are found/developed, we will update this page periodically.
NEW FAQs!! April 8, 2019
Is CASLI developing a legal ASL-English interpreting certification program or exam (e.g. Specialist Certification: Legal)? ?
Are the names of the RID Certifications changing to CASLI?? ?
Will the new CASLI Exams have levels like Certified, Advanced and Master?
Do I need to take this test before June 1st?
Will my money/payment transfer over to the new system?
I tested December 5, 2018 and due to the six-month mandatory waiting period between NIC IP exam takes I am able to retest after June 5, 2019. Will CASLI be flexible with the six-month mandatory waiting period and allow us to retest before the six-month mark?
I recently took the NIC IP Exam and am awaiting results. Will my results be postponed because of this transition?
What if my exam cycle expires during the transition period?
Originally Posted: April 3, 2019
Is this another moratorium?
Why will there be a gap in NIC Interview and Performance (NIC IP) test administration?
Should I go ahead and take my NIC Interview and Performance exam now or should I wait until after the new system is in place?
What impact will this transition have on the CDI Exams?
Will the name of the new tests be the same?
Will I still be able to take my NIC or CDI Knowledge exam?
How will this transition impact my test cycle?
Do you have examples of the various Test Transition Plan Scenarios?
Will I be able to schedule my NIC IP exam after June 1st?
How will I sign up for the NIC-IP with the new test delivery platform?
If I took and passed my NIC-K exam, and want to wait for the new exam, will I be able to take the new performance exam?
Will the price of exam registration remain the same with the new platform?
Who are the Local Test Administrators?
How can I apply to become a Local Test Administrator?
I have more questions. Who do I contact?
Q: Is CASLI developing a legal ASL-English interpreting certification program or exam (e.g. Specialist Certification: Legal)?
A: To clarify roles between CASLI and RID, CASLI is only tasked with the development and administration of the exams that are used for certification purposes. The actual national interpreter certification programs (the NIC and CDI) remain under the purview or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, as do their specialist certification programs. The SC:L remains under moratorium. Future plans for certification for legal interpreting is something RID would better be able to address. Right now, CASLI is focused on creating the Generalist Knowledge and Performance Exams that will be used by RID for their NIC and CDI certification purposes. Once those are exams are fully operational, we will be more than happy to work with organizations interested in developing interpreting assessments for advanced skills or for the various specializations. Unfortunately, we are not developing an exam for legal interpreting at this time.
Q: Are the names of the RID Certifications changing to CASLI?
A: Keep in mind that the names of the certification awarded by RID are the NIC and the CDI. CASLI only administers the exams that are used for RID certification requirements. So RID NIC and CDI are remaining the same, but RID will be using CASLI exams for their certification requirements.
Q: Will the new CASLI Exams have levels like Certified, Advanced and Master?
A: The new CASLI exams are not tiered. The CASLI exams will be pass-fail generalist exams for which candidates will be expected to demonstrate a minimum level of knowledge, skills and abilities in order to receive national certification. CASLI does have a goal of adding more specialist and advanced exams in the future, however our focus right now is on creating the new iteration of the certification exams.
Q: Do I need to take this test before June 1st?
A: If you currently eligible to test, you may sign up now with PSI, but you must take the exam before June 1… or you may wait until fall when the new Test Delivery System is operational and sign up then.
Q: Will my money/payment transfer over to the new system?
A: Yes, you paid your exam fee to either RID or CASLI directly so yes, you may take the exam with PSI or take it with the new uSked system. That’s entirely up to you.
Q: I tested December 5, 2018 and due to the six-month mandatory waiting period between NIC IP exam takes I am able to retest after June 5, 2019. Will CASLI be flexible with the six-month mandatory waiting period and allow us to retest before the six-month mark?
A: CALSI will not be adjusting the mandatory 6-month waiting period between NIC IP exam attempts. This policy is firm. When the new test delivery system with uSked and the LTA network is ready, CASLI will have clear instructions for candidates on how they may schedule their appointments.
Q: I recently took the NIC IP Exam and am awaiting results. Will my results be postponed because of this transition?
A: Our NIC IP Raters are still hard at work at rating the exams. This transition should not have any impact on the timing of the results for the exam you recently took.
Q: What if my exam cycle expires during the transition period?
A: During the transition, your exam cycle will be “paused” and the time between June 1, 2019 and your expiration date will be added to your test cycle beginning on the date we are able to offer the NIC IP exams again. Once uSked is ready, we will be administering the current NIC IP exam on that system and then in January of 2020, we will add the new CASLI exams. At that time, candidates will have an option to take the current NIC IP or the new CASLI Generalist Performance Exam during the beta testing of the new exams.
Q: Is this another moratorium?
A: No, this is not another moratorium. RID announced in August, 2015, a “moratorium on credentialing”. This is not the same thing. CASLI is has a clear plan forward from current problematic test administration and is transitioning to a test delivery platform and to using Local Test Administrators or LTAs, contracted directly by CASLI. We expect that from June 1, 2019 to October 1, 2019, the NIC Interview and Performance exam will not be administered, but will be in transition between the two test delivery systems.
Q: Why will there be a gap in NIC Interview and Performance (NIC IP) test administration?
A: RID entered into contract with PSI on August 2, 2016 for a period of three years, ending on August 2, 2019. To allow time for raters to complete their exams, PSI will cease administering test on June 1, 2019. CASLI’s contract with PSI will not be renewed or extended. In February of 2019, we entered into contract with a developer, uSked, who is currently building a new computer-based, one-stop-shop, testing platform. uSked anticipates being ready to start administering exams through a national network of LTAs as early as October 1, 2019.
Q: Should I go ahead and take my NIC Interview and Performance exam now or should I wait until after the new system is in place?
A: Clearly, this is a question that only you can best answer given the many variables regarding your exam and exam cycle, such as your employment or state requirements for working as an interpreter. When we start using the new system in the fall, the current NIC Interview and Performance Exam will be made available on the new testing platform, so that opportunity to take the current NIC IP exam again will be available to you. In January of 2020, the new CASLI Generalist Knowledge and Performance Exams will be added to the new testing platform and during the beta testing period of the new exam, including the cut-score study and the score reports, both the current exams and the new exams will be available for a period of time until we fully transition to the new test delivery system using the new exams and retire the current exams.
Q: What impact will this transition have on the CDI Exams?
A: There is currently no change for CDI candidates; CDI candidates will continue to be able to take the current CDI Knowledge exam as usual. We expect that by January 2020, the new performance exam will become available. In a previous announcement, we explained that to ensure all Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) are covered during the transition from the current knowledge exams to the new performance exams, there will be a small ten-to-twenty question “gap test” to cover any KSAs not currently covered between the current CDI-Knowledge and the new CASLI Generalists Performance Exam for Deaf interpreters.
Q: Will the name of the new tests be the same?
A: CASLI exams will be the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam and the CASLI Generalist Performance Exams (although different exams for Deaf and for hearing interpreters). Keep in mind, NIC and CDI are names of the certifications offered by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). The NIC and CDI Knowledge and Performance exams were created by RID for their certification programs and, upon the formation of CASLI, were licensed to us to administer for RID while we develop the new CASLI exams. Because the new exams are developed and administered by CASLI, they will be named the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam and CASLI Generalist Performance Exam.
Q: Will I still be able to take my NIC or CDI Knowledge exam?
A: Yes, this is only impacting the timing for taking the NIC Interview and Performance exam. NIC Knowledge and CDI Knowledge will continue to be administered as normal. The contract for the NIC-K exam is with Castle/ScanTron and candidates will be able to take their NIC-K exam at Castle/ScanTron test sites until December 31, 2019. CDI-K candidates will be able to take their exam through the LTAs listed on the CASLI website.
Q: How will this transition impact my test cycle?
A: There are these possible scenarios for candidates in the midst of their exam cycle:
i. For those who have passed the NIC knowledge exam, and are in their eligibility cycle for taking the NIC performance exam, the time of transition between PSI and the new test delivery platform will be added to their exam cycle. We currently anticipate the transition will take four months, in which case four months will be added to the test cycle.
ii. For those whose test cycle expires during the transition when no NIC IP exams are offered: The time between June 1, 2019 and their expiration date (for illustrative purposes, supposing that is August 1, 2019 – two months) will be extended to their test cycle beginning on the date we are able to offer the NIC IP exams again. So, again for illustrative purposes, supposing we are able to offer the NIC IP exam using the new platform beginning October 1, 2019, they will have two months to sign up for and take their NIC IP exam with the new platform (extending the test cycle to November 1, 2019). Any unforeseen challenges will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
iii. For those who took their NIC IP exam after December 1, 2018 and did not pass, they have a 6-month waiting period before they are eligible to retake the NIC PE exam. If their 6-month waiting period overlaps with the transition between the PSI’s test delivery system and uSked’s delivery system, only the months that they are eligible to test will be added to their exam cycle. So, for example, If you took your your NIC IP exam on February 1 and did not pass, you will not become eligible to retake until August 1. Since the exam delivery system will be in transition beginning June 1 and there is a two-month overlap between June 1 and August 1, your testing cycle will only be extended two months.
iv. For those who took their NIC IP exam after December 1, 2018 and did not pass, and their test cycle expires during the transition when no NIC IP exam are offered, they will have a 6-month waiting period before they are eligible to retake the NIC IP exam again. Any months left in their cycle after they are eligible to retake their exam but that occur during the transition, will be added to the end of the test cycle after the new platform is released.
Q: Are there examples of various Test Transition Plan Scenarios I can see?
A: See below for various test transition place scenarios.
Q: Will I be able to schedule my NIC IP exam after June 1st?
A: CASLI’s contract with PSI ends this summer and testing with PSI will stop on June 1st. Test delivery with the new platform is anticipated to begin in October. After the new test delivery platform is released and the LTA system is in place, you will be able to schedule and take your exam with the LTA system, and using the new platform.
Q: How will I sign up for the NIC-IP with the new test delivery platform?
A: These details will become available as we near the release of the new platform, but we will be using LTAs that we will contract with directly. As we contract with these LTAs, we will make this list of LTAs available to exam candidates. When your exam is registered and paid for, you will be able to contact these LTAs directly to set up your appointment to take your NIC IP exam.
Q: If I took and passed my NIC-K exam, and want to wait for the new exam, will I be able to take the new performance exam?
A: As we develop and finalize the CASLI exams, the first and foremost priority is ensure the validity and reliability of the exams. That includes making sure all requisite Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) are covered through both the current knowledge and future performance exam. As we previously announced with the CDI examination process, candidates who have passed the current knowledge exam and who will take the future Interpreter CASLI Generalist Performance Exams will also have to take and pass a “gap test” to ensure all KSAs required for certification are covered. There will be similar transition plan for folks who have passed current NIC-Knowledge exam and who will be taking the new CASLI Generalist Performance Exams – a “gap test” will be made available, free of charge, to all CASLI Generalist Performance Exam candidates.
Right now, that specific information as to what will be in the “gap test” is not available, but as the Testing Committee finalizes and publishes the content of the new exams, we will make this information available to exam candidates. For the CASLI Generalist Performance Exam for Deaf interpreters, we have released the KSAs that will be covered in the “gap test”, but have not yet for the Performance Exam for hearing interpreters. But please rest assured, we will have way for exam candidates to transition between the current NIC Knowledge exam and the future CASLI Generalist Performance Exam. Please stay tuned for more updates in the coming months, especially as we finalize the exams.
Q: Will the price of exam registration remain the same with the new platform?
A: At this time, there are no changes in exam registration fees. Any changes in exam registration fees will be announced with ample notice.
Q: Who are the Local Test Administrators?
A: We are reaching out to the current LTAs and actively recruiting more LTAs to administer CASLI exams for us. Please feel free to encourage sites in your local area to contact us to become a testing site for the new CASLI exams.
Q: How can I apply to become a Local Test Administrator?
A: If you are interested in becoming a LTA, Please see this webpage here for more information and if you would like to apply, visit this form to fill out for us. Also, if you have any questions or are in need of more information, please email Director@CASLI.org or call 703-988-4543 videophone/voice, FaceTime: SGrieser@CASLI.org.
Q: I have more questions. Who do I contact?
A: Please feel free to contact us at Director@CASLI.org, by calling 703-988-4543 or 571-527-1461 or by FaceTime: SGrieser@CASLI.org
Q: I have more questions. Who do I contact?
A: Please feel free to contact us at Director@CASLI.org, by calling 703-988-4543 or 571-527-1461 or by FaceTime: SGrieser@CASLI.org