1. National Association for Interpretation
www.interpnet.com

2. The NAI Mission
Inspiring leadership and excellence to
advance heritage interpretation as a
profession

3. The U.S. Interpretive Profession
Hosts
30,000 full-time
interpreters
Guides
250,000 docents,
30K
20K 2M
volunteers, seasonals
250K 2-5 million people who
work or volunteer at
interpretive sites with
2M public contact but no
formal programs

4. Why Certify?
ž Certification and standards
of practice add credibility to
the profession.
ž Training and recognition
creates added value for
employees.
ž Volunteers often comprise
the front line and provide
first contact but are rarely
trained in interpretive
communication techniques.

5. Benefits to the Profession
ž Encourage high performance standards
ž Encourage professional behavior
ž Support peer-reviewed research
ž Continuous improvement of profession
ž Peer review of certified professionals

6. Benefits to the Employer
ž Increases credibility with customers
ž Economic benefits
ž Employee loyalty
ž NAI network

7. Benefits to the
Individual
ž Builds credibility
ž Encourages lifelong learning
ž Increases promotion
potential
ž Sense of pride in
achievement
ž Increases performance
effectiveness

8. NAI s Certification Program
ž Began in 1998
ž Requires knowledge, skill, and
demonstrated ability
ž Lasts four years
ž Re-certifies based on continuing education
ž Does not require NAI membership, but
members receive discount on application
fees

9. Certification Categories
ž Professional
— Certified Interpretive Manager
— Certified Interpretive Planner
— Certified Heritage Interpreter
— Certified Interpretive Trainer
ž Training
— Certified Interpretive Guide
— Certified Interpretive Host

10. Professional Categories
ž Requires college degree or 4 years experience for
eligibility
ž Peer Review Process
ž Applicants must complete
— Open book literature review
— Essay exam
— Evidence of performance (these are different for
each of the four professional categories, but
generally three or four items that demonstrate
proficiency in that category)

11. Training Categories – CIG & CIH
ž Age requirement: 16
ž Designed for those with little or no experience or education
in the field
ž Good refresher for those with experience
ž No peer review – CIG performance is evaluated by
instructor; CIH is evaluated by objective exam (no
performance requirement)
ž All training materials currently available in English and
Spanish; some materials available in Mandarin

12. Certified Interpretive Guide
ž Curriculum for new interpreters and guides
ž Focuses on oral communication techniques
ž 32-hour workshop required (taught by
Certified Interpretive Trainers)
ž Open book literature review required
ž Presentation outline required (graded by
instructor)
ž 10-minute thematic presentation required
(graded by instructor)

13. CIG Curriculum
ž Philosophy and History
ž Social Science Research
ž Knowledge of the Audience
• Purposeful
ž Measurable Objectives • Organized
• Enjoyable
ž Use of Themes
• Thematic
ž Interpretive Communication Techniques • Relevant
• You

14. Certified Interpretive Host
ž Designed for those with public contact who don t do
programs or tours, such as security personnel, law
enforcement, maintenance workers, receptionists,
sales clerks, ticket takers, drivers, etc.
ž Blends customer service with informal interpretation
ž 16 hour workshop
ž Open book literature review
ž Video exam (view scenes of hosts
interacting with public, pick the most
appropriate response)

15. NAI s Training Model
NAI Staff (2 of 7 full-time)
Certified Interpretive
Trainers (400-500)
CIGuides and CIHosts
(over 15,000 trained; about
10,000 certified)

16. For More Information
ž www.interpnet.com/certification
ž Lisa
Brochu, Associate Director NAI
lbrochu@interpnet.com

17. Certification Costs (in USD)
ž Professional category application fee
— $125 for NAI members; $200 for nonmembers
ž Training category application fee
— $80 for NAI members; $135 for nonmembers
(nonmember prices include one year membership)

18. Workshop Costs
ž CIT
- $625 for members; $700 for
nonmembers (includes certification
application fee which is required)
• Planning – certification optional; workshop
cost $500 for members; $575 for
nonmembers; host site pays $5750 (host site
fee includes six seats at workshop and all products generated by
class)

19. Costs for CIG & CIH Workshops
(per participant)
ž Instructor Fee (required unless instructor is
on staff) - CIG - $220; CIH $110
ž Workbook (required) - $10
ž Textbook (optional) - $12
ž Membership (optional) - $50
ž Certification Application (optional) - $80 NAI
members; $135 nonmembers