MICS Certification Levels
The MICS certification levels are as follows:
Basic Advanced Master PCED RCED (General) RCED (K-6) RCED (7-12)
Intern/Practicum Certificate Provisional Certification (Learner’s Permit)
In 2014, MCDHH began leasing the BEI (Board for Evaluation of Interpreters) certification exam from the state of Texas because of its proven validity and reliability. Rules were updated to reflect the changers to the new testing system, increasing the educational requirement to become an interpreter, and the number of hours required to maintain certification.
ELIGIBILITY TO TAKE BEI
To be eligible for certification in the Missouri Interpreters Certification System (MICS), each applicant must:
- Be eighteen (18) years of age or older;
- Have completed a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours from an accredited college or university before taking the written test of English proficiency, and
- Have earned an associate degree and/or a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours from an accredited college or university before taking the performance examination.
An applicant who is currently certified the Novice, Apprentice, RCED, Basic, Advanced or Master levels by MICS and applies for a higher level of certification is not required to meet this educational requirement.
A comprehensive study guide is available to help you prepare for Written and Performance tests.
WRITTEN TEST
The written Test of English Proficiency (TEP) must be passed before being eligible to take the performance test. The written portion of the certification process was developed to evaluate an applicant’s English skills and it is made up of five parts:
- Part I – Reading Comprehension,
- Part II – Synonyms,
- Part III – Grammar and Usage,
- Part IV – Sentence Completion, and
- Part V – Antonyms
Upon passing the Test of English Proficiency, an applicant is eligible to take the BEI performance test. Each level of certification has its own performance test. An interpreter earns the corresponding level of certification if the minimum requirement to pass is met.
TAKING THE MO-BEI
There are three distinct Interpreter Performance Tests – Basic, Advanced, and Master. The tests are similar in terms of the sections they contain and the tasks they ask the candidates to perform. The tests differ principally in terms of their complexity. In these tests, there are several factors that add to the complexity of the tests:
- Complexity of the language
- Complexity of the topics and/or settings; and
- Speed of the speaker or signer.
MO-BEI BASIC TEST
The content of the Basic test focuses primarily on the language found in routine educational and social service settings, as determined by the empirical job analysis of incumbent Texas interpreters. Examples of possible topics include K-12 classroom presentations by students or teachers, special school assemblies, homework assignments, school memos, informational meetings or orientations, and so on.
Components of the Basic Level Test include:
- Expressive interpreting (spoken English-to-ASL);
- Expressive transliterating (spoken English-to-signed English);
- Receptive transliterating (signed English –to-spoken English);
- Sight translation (written English to ASL).
Link to application for taking the test
MO-BEI ADVANCED TEST
The content of the Advanced Test focuses primarily on the language found in a variety of high-stakes settings, such as routine medical, social service, K-12 and higher education, routine mental health, and routine quasi-legal, as determined by the empirical job analysis of incumbent Texas interpreters. Examples of possible topics include postsecondary student and professor classroom presentations, professional develo9pment seminars, doctor or dentist visits, application for services, employment forms, counseling sessions, and so on.
Components of the Advanced Level Test include:
- Expressive interpreting (spoken English-to-ASL);
- Expressive transliterating (spoken English-to-signed English);
- Receptive interpreting (ASL-to-spoken-English);
- Receptive transliterating (signed English –to-spoken English);
- Sight translation (written English to ASL).
Link to application for taking the test
MO-BEI MASTER TEST
The content of the Master test focuses on the language found in a variety of complex high-stakes settings, such as medical, mental health, quasi-legal, and educational settings as determined by an empirical job analysis of incumbent Texas interpreters. Examples of possible topics include patie3nt information forms, intake forms, contracts or contract negotiations, meetings with medical specialists, special education meetings, and so on.
Components of the Master Level Test include:
- Expressive interpreting (spoken English-to-ASL);
- Expressive transliterating (spoken English-to-signed English);
- Receptive interpreting (ASL-to-spoken-English);
- Receptive transliterating (signed English –to-spoken English); and
- Sight translation (written English to ASL).
Link to application for taking the test
INTERN/PRACTICUM CERTIFICATE
A student, registered in an Interpreter Training Program (ITP) approved by the BCI and required to interpret in order to fulfill the curriculum requirements for an internship or practicum course, may apply for and be granted an Intern/Practicum Certification. Link to Intern/Practicum form
PROVISIONAL CERTICATE IN EDUCATION (PCED)
A Provisional Certificate in Education (PCED) is available for individuals who wish to interpret only in preschool, elementary, and/or secondary school settings. This certificate is limited to one year and is not renewable.
RESTRICTED CERTIFICATIONS
Interpreters who only want to provide interpreting services in elementary and/or secondary school settings may be granted a Restricted Certification in Education (RCED). A RCEWD is annually renewable.
RCED (K-6) allows the holder to interpret only in kindergarten through grade 6; and
RCED (7-12) allows the holder to interpret only in grades 7 through 12.
Both of these certifications can be obtained only by conversion from the Educational interpreters Performance Assessment (EIPA) system, with a score of 4.0 or higher. The EIPA Elementary converts to MICS RCED (K-6), and the EIPA Secondary converts to the MICS RCED (7-12).
PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATION (aka Learner’s Permit)
To obtain the Provisional Certification (aka Learner’s Permit), an applicant must pass the written test of English proficiency, and receive a non-passing score on the Basic Performance Test.