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I forgot to mention that our interpreting company also requests feedback from the Deaf consumers in order to guarantee satisfaction with their service. Certified or not, the bottom line is customer satisfaction. The terp gives each Deaf consumer a self-addressed post card for comments. It can be filled in and mailed anonymously to the office. Also, the consumer can make requests for specific terps, if time allows. We also do a lot of team interpreting. If a terp is not qualified, it quickly becomes apparent. Our hours are monitored, so tardiness is also tracked. Interpreting skills, professional behavior, broad knowledge base in many topics and settings, and adherence to terp ethics are monitored and reviewed.
Our company has had some highly certified terps who didn't "make the grade" with consumers, and some uncertified terps who are in great demand by consumers. Some terps are wonderful in the field, but terrible at test taking.
There is no "one-size-fits-all" terp. Certifications set good basic standards but they are not the be-all, end-all to terp qualifications.
Our state legislature has been considering interpreter licensure for several years but so far no decision.
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