Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI): Test of English Proficiency (TEP)
All new applicants for BEI certification, or all certified interpreters wishing to become certified at the basic, advanced, or master level for the first time, must pass the TEP before being eligible to apply for any BEI performance test. The written TEP for sign language interpreters is offered quarterly. Upcoming test dates will be listed below as they are determined. Please note that even though dates are listed on the webpage, registration for them may be full. If individuals choose test dates that are already full at the time of their application, they will be contacted by email to select a new test date.
| Test Date(s) | Time Slot(s) | Application Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| October 9 and 10, 2024 | 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. | September 11, 2024 |
| January 8 and 9, 2025 | 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. | December 12, 2024 |
| April 9 and 10, 2025 | 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. | March 12, 2025 |
| July 9 and 10, 2025 | 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. | June 11, 2025 |
| October 8 and 9, 2025 | 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. | September 10, 2025 |
The TEP exam consists of 80 multiple choice questions and must be taken with a pencil. Applicants are required to answer at least 55 of the 80 questions correctly to pass. This is a raw score and not a percentage score. Answering fewer than 55 questions correctly will result in failing the test.
The TEP will be proctored by the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) BEI staff.
You will need to fill out the TEP application, F-02530 and mail it, along with a money order or cashier's check, to the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH).
Once your application and payment has been received and your eligibility to take the TEP has been verified, you will receive an email that confirms your test date and time.
If you are ineligible to take the TEP, you will be notified of that in an email as well.
Applications must be postmarked four weeks prior to the test week to be considered eligible.
The TEP will be administered at the Department of Health Services, which is located at:
1 W. Wilson St., Madison, WI 53703.
The cost for the TEP is $75 for Wisconsin residents and $110 for out-of-state applicants.
Payments need to be in the form of a money order or cashier's check. Personal checks and cash will not be accepted.
Payment should be mailed to:
Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
c/o TEP and BEI
1 W. Wilson St.
PO Box 2659
Madison WI 53701-2659
Checks should be made payable to ODHH. Please allow 30 days for processing.
All test fees are nonrefundable.
TEP results will be emailed to you within 10 business days after your exam.
Prospective applicants should keep this in mind when considering performance testing dates. If you pass the TEP, you will be eligible to apply for the BEI performance test.
If you fail the TEP, you will be eligible to retake the TEP six months from the day your exam was administered.
We recommend you utilize the BEI Study Guide. This study guide also includes a list of resources you can use to prepare for the TEP, including books and websites that we have found helpful.
If you have a disability or circumstance that requires a reasonable accommodation for testing, see Texas' BEI Interpreter Certification Policies and Procedures, Chapter 1.4. If at any time you have questions regarding the TEP process, email dhswibei@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Note: Specific details regarding application and testing procedures listed in this guide pertain only to those taking the test in Texas. Procedures for applying and taking the TEP or BEI performance test in Wisconsin are outlined above.
If you have a disability or circumstance that requires a reasonable accommodation for testing, see Texas' BEI Interpreter Certification Policies and Procedures, Chapter 1.4.
If at any time you have questions regarding the TEP process, email dhswibei@dhs.wisconsin.gov.