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What does the acronym CDI stand for in RID certification?

Certified Deaf Interpreter

Certified Dual Interpreter

Community Deaf Instructor

Continuing Deaf Initiative

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CDI Exam

100

Multiple-Choice Questions

CASLI CDI

60/60

English / ASL Questions

Bilingual format

Passing Scaled Score

CASLI

3 hours

Exam Time

CASLI

$225

Fee (RID Member)

CASLI

4 years

Certification Validity

RID CMP

The RID/CASLI CDI Knowledge Exam has 100 multiple-choice questions (60 in written English, 60 in ASL) with a passing scaled score of 72 and a 3-hour time limit. Content covers intralingual ASL interpreting, visual-gestural communication, Deaf culture, the RID Code of Professional Conduct, team interpreting with hearing interpreters, DeafBlind work (Protactile), and International Sign. Knowledge Exam fee is $225 for RID members, $280 for non-members. Certification is valid 4 years with CMP CEUs.

Sample CDI Practice Questions

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1What does the acronym CDI stand for in RID certification?

A.Certified Deaf Interpreter

B.Certified Dual Interpreter

C.Community Deaf Instructor

D.Continuing Deaf Initiative

Explanation: CDI stands for Certified Deaf Interpreter — a credential awarded by RID and assessed by CASLI to Deaf or hard-of-hearing interpreters. CDIs work in tandem with hearing interpreters and with consumers who have atypical or minimal language, foreign sign languages, trauma, or other specific needs that a hearing interpreter alone cannot meet.

2In which of the following scenarios is a CDI most clearly indicated?

A.A routine Deaf consumer meeting with a bilingual hearing supervisor

B.A deaf immigrant consumer with minimal language proficiency and primarily gestural communication

C.A certified Deaf teacher giving an ASL lecture

D.A family conversation between two fluent ASL users

Explanation: MLP (minimal language proficiency) and heavily gestural communication are classic indications for a CDI. CDIs bring linguistic flexibility — ASL, home signs, gesture, pantomime, drawing — and a Deaf cultural foundation that many consumers with atypical language respond to better than a hearing interpreter alone.

3What does MLP stand for in the context of CDI work?

A.Minimal Language Proficiency

B.Major Language Process

C.Mentored Language Practice

D.Modified Language Plan

Explanation: MLP refers to consumers with Minimal Language Proficiency — often individuals who had limited access to a fully developed first language in childhood. Interpreting for MLP consumers often requires intralingual mediation, extensive use of gesture/drawing, and careful concept-building, typically done with a CDI.

4Tandem interpreting (CDI + hearing interpreter) is also known by which term?

A.Solo interpreting

B.Relay interpreting

C.Video Remote Interpreting

D.Transliteration

Explanation: Relay interpreting (also called tandem interpreting) involves two interpreters — typically a hearing interpreter working between English and ASL, and a CDI working between ASL and the consumer's actual language variety. Each relays to the other. The CDI anchors access for the Deaf consumer.

5Which organization administers the CDI Knowledge and Performance exams?

A.NAD

B.FCC

C.CASLI (Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters)

D.Gallaudet University

Explanation: CASLI administers the CDI Knowledge and Performance exams on behalf of RID. RID is the certifying body; CASLI develops and scores the exams. CDI candidates must meet RID eligibility (member in good standing, educational/experiential requirements) before testing.

6How many tenets are in the RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC)?

A.5

B.6

C.7

D.8

Explanation: The RID CPC contains 7 tenets: Confidentiality, Professionalism, Conduct, Respect for Consumers, Respect for Colleagues, Business Practices, and Professional Development. Both CDIs and hearing NIC interpreters are governed by the same CPC.

7Which of the following is a primary language use context for Protactile?

A.VRS calls

B.DeafBlind interpreting — a tactile communication system with touch-based backchannels

C.Court interpreting

D.K-12 education for hearing students

Explanation: Protactile is a communication system for DeafBlind individuals centered on touch. It includes tactile ASL signing, haptic backchanneling (e.g., tap-tap for affirmation), and contact-based social presence. It developed among the DeafBlind community (including aj granda and Jelica Nuccio, 2007) and is increasingly standard for DeafBlind work.

8What is intralingual interpreting?

A.Interpreting between two different languages

B.Interpreting within the same language but across varieties/registers (e.g., standard ASL to MLP ASL)

C.Interpreting written text

D.Signing under water

Explanation: Intralingual interpreting occurs within a single language — adjusting register, complexity, or variety. CDIs often work intralingually (e.g., standard ASL to home-sign/gesture-based communication, or to tactile ASL). It is a core CDI skill set.

9International Sign (IS) is best described as:

A.A formal natural language

B.A pidgin/contact variety used among deaf signers from different language backgrounds

C.The official language of the United Nations

D.British Sign Language

Explanation: International Sign is a pidgin/contact variety drawing on visual-gestural conventions with borrowed signs, used at international Deaf events (WFD, Deaflympics). It is not a full natural language and varies by users. CDIs sometimes work in IS or from IS to standard ASL.

10Which of the following is most distinctive about CDI work with trauma consumers?

A.CDIs diagnose PTSD

B.CDIs often provide a trusted Deaf presence and culturally attuned language access that supports rapport and disclosure

C.CDIs replace the therapist

D.CDIs provide medication

Explanation: In trauma-informed interpreting, a CDI can provide trusted Deaf presence, culturally attuned pacing, and the linguistic flexibility to match the consumer's language use — supporting rapport and disclosure. CDIs do not diagnose or treat; they interpret within the care team.

About the CDI Exam

The Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) credential is awarded by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) through CASLI exams and recognizes deaf and hard-of-hearing professionals who serve as interpreters. CDIs work in tandem/relay with hearing interpreters and specialize in settings with minimal language proficiency (MLP) consumers, emergent bilinguals, DeafBlind individuals using Protactile, foreign deaf signers needing International Sign, young children, and mental-health or trauma-informed contexts.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours (Knowledge Exam)

Passing Score

72 scaled; 3.5 Performance composite

Exam Fee

$225 RID member / $280 non-member (Knowledge) (RID / CASLI)

CDI Exam Content Outline

25%

CDI Role & Team Interpreting

When to use a deaf interpreter; tandem/relay interpreting with hearing interpreters; feed, monitor, and switch support; MLP and emergent bilingual consumers.

20%

Intralingual Interpreting & Visual-Gestural Communication

ASL-to-ASL simplification, gesture, mime, pantomime, drawing, role-play, and strategies for consumers with idiosyncratic or emergent signing.

15%

DeafBlind Interpreting & Protactile

Protactile principles, tactile ASL, haptic backchanneling, close vision signing, tracking, and pro-tactile community practices.

15%

RID Code of Professional Conduct

The 7 CPC tenets applied from a deaf interpreter's perspective; confidentiality in close-knit communities; dual-role boundaries.

15%

International Sign & Foreign Sign Languages

International Sign (IS) at WFD and Deaflympics; BSL, LSF, LSQ, JSL, Auslan differences; working across sign languages and with foreign deaf consumers.

10%

Deaf Culture, Intersectionality & Linguistic Variation

Black ASL, Chicano ASL, Martha's Vineyard historical, DODA/CODA dynamics, LGBTQ+ deaf community, and cultural mediation.

How to Pass the CDI Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 72 scaled; 3.5 Performance composite
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 3 hours (Knowledge Exam)
Exam fee: $225 RID member / $280 non-member (Knowledge)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CDI Study Tips from Top Performers

1Know the scenarios when a CDI is required: MLP consumers, DeafBlind, young children, foreign deaf, mental health

2Study Protactile principles — tactile ASL, haptic backchanneling, close vision signing

3Understand the tandem/relay team dynamic with hearing interpreters (feed, monitor, switch)

4Review International Sign (IS) and differences among BSL, LSF, LSQ, JSL, Auslan

5Memorize the 7 RID CPC tenets and think about dual-role boundaries in close Deaf communities

6Study linguistic variation: Black ASL, Chicano ASL, regional variation

7Practice ethical decision-making scenarios — the exam emphasizes case-study reasoning

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)?

A Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) is a deaf or hard-of-hearing professional who holds national certification from RID. CDIs work in settings where a hearing interpreter alone cannot produce the most accessible interpretation — such as with consumers who have minimal language proficiency, DeafBlind individuals, young deaf children, or foreign deaf signers.

How many questions are on the CDI Knowledge Exam?

The CDI Knowledge Exam has 100 multiple-choice questions total — 60 presented in written English and 60 presented in ASL. Candidates have up to 3 hours. The passing scaled score is 72. Content covers CPC ethics, intralingual interpreting, visual-gestural communication, and professional roles.

When is a CDI needed?

A CDI is needed when consumers have minimal language proficiency (MLP), are emergent bilinguals, are DeafBlind (Protactile), are foreign deaf signers using a different sign language, are young children, have mental-health or trauma needs, or whenever a hearing interpreter alone cannot produce an equivalent message. CDIs team with hearing interpreters in a relay format.

How much does the CDI exam cost?

The CDI Knowledge Exam costs $225 for RID members and $280 for non-members. The Performance Exam costs approximately $500. Retakes within 5 years have reduced fees ($165 members / $190 non-members for Knowledge). Total certification cost including both portions is approximately $800.

What is Protactile?

Protactile is a communication philosophy and emerging language used by the DeafBlind community. It emphasizes touch-based communication (tactile ASL), haptic backchanneling on the back and knees, and close physical contact to convey environment, affect, and conversational cues. CDIs working with DeafBlind consumers must be trained in Protactile principles.

How long is CDI certification valid?

CDI certification is valid for 4 years. Certified interpreters must complete Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) CEUs (typically 8.0 CEUs over the cycle) and pay annual maintenance fees. At least 1.0 of the CEUs must be in Professional Studies (formerly PPO).