National Association for Interpretation www.interpnet.com

The NAI Mission

Inspiring leadership and excellence to

advance heritage interpretation as a

profession

The U.S. Interpretive Profession

20K 2M

Guides

250K

Hosts

30K

2M

30,000 full-time interpreters 250,000 docents, volunteers, seasonals 2-5 million people who work or volunteer at interpretive sites with public contact but no formal programs

Why Certify? �  Certification and standards

of practice add credibility to the profession.

�  Training and recognition creates added value for employees.

�  Volunteers often comprise the front line and provide first contact but are rarely trained in interpretive communication techniques.

Benefits to the Profession

�  Encourage high performance standards

�  Encourage professional behavior

�  Support peer-reviewed research

�  Continuous improvement of profession

�  Peer review of certified professionals

Benefits to the Employer

�  Increases credibility with customers

�  Economic benefits

�  Employee loyalty

�  NAI network

Benefits to the Individual �  Builds credibility

�  Encourages lifelong learning

�  Increases promotion

potential

�  Sense of pride in

achievement

�  Increases performance

effectiveness

NAI’s Certification Program

�  Began in 1998 �  Requires knowledge, skill, and

demonstrated ability �  Lasts four years �  Re-certifies based on continuing education �  Does not require NAI membership, but

members receive discount on application fees

Certification Categories �  Professional

� Certified Interpretive Manager � Certified Interpretive Planner � Certified Heritage Interpreter � Certified Interpretive Trainer

�  Training

� Certified Interpretive Guide � Certified Interpretive Host

Professional Categories �  Requires college degree or 4 years experience for

eligibility �  Peer Review Process

�  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)

Training Categories – CIG & CIH �  Age requirement: 16

�  Designed for those with little or no experience or education in the field

�  Good refresher for those with experience

�  No peer review – CIG performance is evaluated by instructor; CIH is evaluated by objective exam (no performance requirement)

�  All training materials currently available in English and Spanish; some materials available in Mandarin

Certified Interpretive Guide �  Curriculum for new interpreters and guides

�  Focuses on oral communication techniques �  32-hour workshop required (taught by

Certified Interpretive Trainers)

�  Open book literature review required

�  Presentation outline required (graded by instructor)

�  10-minute thematic presentation required (graded by instructor)

CIG Curriculum

�  Philosophy and History

�  Social Science Research

�  Knowledge of the Audience

�  Measurable Objectives

�  Use of Themes

�  Interpretive Communication Techniques

•  Purposeful •  Organized •  Enjoyable •  Thematic •  Relevant •  You

Certified Interpretive Host �  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.

�  Blends customer service with informal interpretation

�  16 hour workshop

�  Open book literature review

�  Video exam (view scenes of hosts interacting with public, pick the most appropriate response)

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)

For More Information

� www.interpnet.com/certification

�  Lisa Brochu, Associate Director NAI lbrochu@interpnet.com

Certification Costs (in USD)

� Professional category application fee �  $125 for NAI members; $200 for nonmembers

� Training category application fee �  $80 for NAI members; $135 for nonmembers (nonmember prices include one year membership)

Workshop Costs

� 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)

Costs for CIG & CIH Workshops (per participant)

�  Instructor Fee (required unless instructor is on staff) - CIG - $220; CIH $110

�  Workbook (required) - $10 �  Textbook (optional) - $12 �  Membership (optional) - $50 �  Certification Application (optional) - $80 NAI

members; $135 nonmembers