Hiring an Interpreter

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Welcome to one of New Hampshire's resource hubs for everything ASL interpreting! In addition to the below content, we recommend checking out the FAQ page for some more quick broad information, and out Community Resources page if you're looking for something more than just hiring an interpreter.

Unless hired directly as an employee, ASL interpreters in NH operate as independent contractors. This means that, although there are some rough community standards, we all set our own rates and business practices independent of each other. The cards below explain some business practices that may be unique to ASL interpreters, some community standards, and some things you can expect in the hiring process.

Interpreters are paid for the entire time they are originally scheduled for (or actual time onsite, whichever is greater), plus portal to portal travel time to the assignment and back.

This scheduled time includes any periods when the interpreter is on location and available to interpret but may not actually be interpreting.

Examples: waiting time, breaks, meal times, etc.

On-going assignments or contractual agreements may be negotiated to vary from this, as appropriate, prior to confirmation of the assignment.

Depending on a variety of factors, more than one interpreter may be needed. Some factors may include: the length of an assignment, the content being discussed, the number of participants, the Deaf person's language background, and more.

An interpreting team will have at least one hearing interpreter and may include one or more Deaf Interpreters/Certified Deaf Interpreters (DI/CDI). A Deaf Interpreter is a native ASL user and language specialist that is able to work as a team with the hearing interpreter(s) to bridge the gap between spoken and written English and how the Deaf person best understands the world and people around them.

Regardless if an interpreter is hearing or Deaf, interpreters cannot effectively interpret for lengthy periods of time; studies have shown that the quality of the information expressed through an interpreter begins to decline after 20-30 minutes. Team interpreting is done to alleviate mental processing by taking turns, splitting and delegating responsibilities, monitoring and clarifying language and content, and otherwise ensuring an accurate and successful interpretation.

All interpreters are independent contractors and are to be paid their full rate for the entire time on location, as usual.

Hourly Rate - set by the interpreter, unless hired by a state entity where the state fee schedule must be adhered to

Travel Time - the same as the interpreter's hourly rate, full portal-to-portal

Two-Hour Minimum - billed instead of travel time and contracted services time if the total of both is less than two hours

Mileage - following state mileage reimbursement

Highway Tolls - any fees for tolls passed through traveling to and from the assignment, receipts may be requested

Parking - any fees necessary in order to park at the requested location, receipts may be requested

Other fees or waiving of usual fees may be negotiated prior to confirmation of the assignment.

Most interpreters in New Hampshire utilize a 48-hour cancellation policy, although this may vary and it is important to check your contracted interpreter's specific cancellation policy.

If an interpreter has been scheduled for an assignment and it is canceled within 48 hours, the interpreter may bill for the entire reserved block of time (including time planned for travel). This is general practice as it is difficult for interpreters to replace assignments that have been canceled within a 48-hour period.

An interpreter may not bill for tolls, mileage, parking, or other expenses not actually incurred.

If for any reason the interpreter cannot make an assignment, the interpreter is responsible for making appropriate arrangements, depending on the availability of other interpreters.

For any assignment where the scheduled or actual services time PLUS total travel time is less than two hours, it is standard practice for interpreters to bill a two-hour minimum. Other billable expenses may be billed in addition to the two-hour minimum, as applicable.

If the hiring entity needs the interpreter to continue past the contracted time and all parties agree to continue and the interpreter is available, the assignment may continue provided the following:

Appropriate authorization: The interpreter must first obtain supplemental authorization from an appropriate person in the hiring agency before continuing past the contracted time.

Any ASL interpreter doing paid interpreting work for a party located in New Hampshire (even if the interpreter is interpreting virtually from another state) must hold a valid license, issued by the NH Interpreter Licensure Board.

Interpreter Licensure Board

In short- licensure requires proof of skills credentialing, keeping up with continuing education, and adherence to the Interpreting Code of Professional Conduct (CPC). It also enacts a system of accountability and allows members of the public to address issues and concerns or file a grievance if necessary.

If a Deaf person prefers a specific person interpret for them that is not licensed or an otherwise credentialed interpreter that does not have a NH license, they may sign and submit a waiver to the Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

Interpreter Waiver Form

Generally an interpreter will bill their hourly rate for both the scheduled or actual time onsite (whichever is greater) and for their round-trip travel to and from the assignment. The next tab goes into more detail on other potential billable expenses, such as mileage and parking.

For state and municipal entities, including Part B funded assignments, interpreters must adhere to the state Fee Schedule developed by the Department of Education > Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

State Fee Schedule

For all other assignments, interpreters are free to individually set their own rates and invoicing practices independent contractors. Typically NH interpreters will use the State Fee Schedule as a guide and remain within $3-5 of their hourly rate, though there is nothing that requires or enforces this. Most interpreters are willing to discuss or negotiate rates and fees if done well in advance of the assignment.

The interpreter's invoice will be sent directly from the interpreter and is separate from any agency or referral fees that may have been used in the hiring process. Each interpreter determines their own payment timeline, payment methods, and late penalties.

Local Interpreter Agencies

Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (NDHHS)

New Hampshire

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MDCHH)

Massachusetts

Acentria Language Bank

New Hampshire and Massachusetts

Vancro Integrated Interpreting

Vermont

Pine Tree Society

Maine