Beginning March 1, 2008, all new bi-lingual interpreters enrolling to bill Early Intervention must complete EI Systems Overview Training, Interpreter Training, and pass an oral and/or written proficiency examination prior to applying to enroll with the Central Billing Office. By September 1, 2008, all currently enrolled bi-lingual interpreters must also complete the Interpreter Training as well as pass the oral and/or written proficiency examination in order to continue their enrollment. The oral proficiency examination will be p rovided at a cost of $65 and the written proficiency examination will be provided at a cost f $65 to each provider. For providers seeking to take both, the total cost will be $130.
The Illinois EI Training Program is offering proficiency testing which measures interpreter candidates' interpretation ability, or the ability to render a speaker's dictation from a source nguage into a target language, and vice versa. This will include both written and oral testing.
How does it work? Testing will be scheduled through the Illinois Early Intervention Training Program centrally via our toll free phone number (866-509-3867). Dates, times and locations will be posted on our training website www.illinoiseitraining.org .
At the scheduled time and date, the candidate will arrive at the designated testing location at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled test time. The testing proctor will check for identity (candidate will need to show a photo id), get permission to audio record, and then proceed with the test.
The oral interpretation test will be recorded via a voice tape recorder (there will be a 15 minute time limit for completing the oral test).
The written translation test will be completed using a standardized scoring sheet (there will be a 2 hour time limit for completing the written test). Candidates will be allowed to bring and use a dictionary for the written test only.
Upon completion of the tests, materials will be manually and/or electronically transmitted to a contracted agency for scoring. Results will be sent back to the EI Training Program within 30 business days which will in turn share the results with the candidate and Provider Connections.
Candidates will be able to take each test twice within a 6 month period. Candidates will be responsible to pay the full cost for each test taken regardless of the results.
How are candidates scheduled? A candidate may schedule tests by telephone at 866-509-3867. Scheduling by phone is done Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm except holidays. Candidates are not scheduled until registration fees are received and confirmation is sent to the candidate.
What is the cost? Total Costs to the candidate will be $65 for the oral interpretation examination and $65 for the written translation examination or $130 if taking both tests. Payment can be made by check, money order or major charge card. Check should be made payable to UCP of Greater Chicago.
When are scores reported? Score reports are sent to the candidate and Provider Connections the next business day after receiving the results from the test scoring agency (approximately 30 business days after the candidate take the test).