CPC Flashcards
What are the 7 tenets?
Confidentiality, Professionalism, Conduct, Respect for Consumers, Respect for Colleagues, Business Practices, Professional Development
Define Colleagues
Other interpreters
Define Conflict of Interest
A conflict between the private interests (personal, financial, or professional)
and the official or professional responsibilities of an interpreter in a position of trust, whether actual
or perceived, deriving from a specific interpreting situation.
Define Consumers
Individuals and entities who are part of the interpreted situation. This includes individuals
who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, and hearing.
Confidentiality Tenet
Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.
Confidentiality Guiding Principle
Interpreters hold a position of trust in their role as linguistic and cultural facilitators
of communication. Confidentiality is highly valued by consumers and is essential to protecting
all involved.
Each interpreting situation (e.g., elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education, legal, medical,
mental health) has a standard of confidentiality. Under the reasonable interpreter standard, professional
interpreters are expected to know the general requirements and applicability of various levels
of confidentiality. Exceptions to confidentiality include, for example, federal and state laws requiring
mandatory reporting of abuse or threats of suicide, or responding to subpoenas.
Confidentiality Illustrative Behavior
1.1 Share assignment-related information only on a confidential and “as-needed” basis (e.g.,
supervisors, interpreter team members, members of the educational team, hiring entities). 1.2 Manage data, invoices, records, or other situational or consumer-specific information in a
manner consistent with maintaining consumer confidentiality (e.g., shredding, locked files).
1.3 Inform consumers when federal or state mandates require disclosure of confidential
information.
Professionalism Tenet
Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting
situation.
Professionalism Guiding Principle
Interpreters are expected to stay abreast of evolving language use and trends in
the profession of interpreting as well as in the American Deaf community.
Interpreters accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, communication mode, setting, and
consumer needs. Interpreters possess knowledge of American Deaf culture and deafness-related resources.
Professionalism Illustrative Behavior
2.1 Provide service delivery regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability,
sexual orientation, or any other factor.
2.2 Assess consumer needs and the interpreting situation before and during the assignment and
make adjustments as needed.
2.3 Render the message faithfully by conveying the content and spirit of what is being communicated,
using language most readily understood by consumers, and correcting errors discreetly
and expeditiously.
2.4 Request support (e.g., certified deaf interpreters, team members, language facilitators) when
needed to fully convey the message or to address exceptional communication challenges (e.g.
cognitive disabilities, foreign sign language, emerging language ability, or lack of formal
instruction or language).
2.5 Refrain from providing counsel, advice, or personal opinions.
2.6 Judiciously provide information or referral regarding available interpreting or community
resources without infringing upon consumers’ rights.
Conduct Tenet
Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.
Conduct Guiding Principle
Interpreters are expected to present themselves appropriately in demeanor and
appearance. They avoid situations that result in conflicting roles or perceived or actual conflicts of
interest.
Conduct Illustrative Behavior
3.1 Consult with appropriate persons regarding the interpreting situation to determine issues such
as placement and adaptations necessary to interpret effectively.
3.2 Decline assignments or withdraw from the interpreting profession when not competent due to
physical, mental, or emotional factors.
3.3 Avoid performing dual or conflicting roles in interdisciplinary (e.g. educational or mental
health teams) or other settings.
3.4 Comply with established workplace codes of conduct, notify appropriate personnel if there is a
conflict with this Code of Professional Conduct, and actively seek resolution where warranted.
3.5 Conduct and present themselves in an unobtrusive manner and exercise care in choice of attire. 3.6 Refrain from the use of mind-altering substances before or during the performance of duties.
3.7 Disclose to parties involved any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
3.8 Avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest that might cause harm or interfere with the
effectiveness of interpreting services.
3.9 Refrain from using confidential interpreted information for personal, monetary, or professional
gain.
3.10 Refrain from using confidential interpreted information for the benefit of personal or professional
affiliations or entities.
Respect for Consumers Tenet
Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.
Respect for Consumers Guiding Principle
Interpreters are expected to honor consumer preferences in selection of interpreters
and interpreting dynamics, while recognizing the realities of qualifications, availability, and
situation.
Respect for Consumers Illustrative Behavior
4.1 Consider consumer requests or needs regarding language preferences, and render the message
accordingly (interpreted or transliterated).
4.2 Approach consumers with a professional demeanor at all times.
4.3 Obtain the consent of consumers before bringing an intern to an assignment.
4.4 Facilitate communication access and equality, and support the full interaction and independence
of consumers.
Respect for Colleagues Tenet
Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns and students of the profession.
Respect for Colleagues Guiding Principle
Interpreters are expected to collaborate with colleagues to foster the delivery of
effective interpreting services. They also understand that the manner in which they relate to colleagues
reflects upon the profession in general.
Respect for Colleagues Illustrative Behavior
5.1 Maintain civility toward colleagues, interns, and students.
5.2 Work cooperatively with team members through consultation before assignments regarding
logistics, providing professional and courteous assistance when asked and monitoring the
accuracy of the message while functioning in the role of the support interpreter.
5.3 Approach colleagues privately to discuss and resolve breaches of ethical or professional
conduct through standard conflict resolution methods; file a formal grievance only after
such attempts have been unsuccessful or the breaches are harmful or habitual.
5.4 Assist and encourage colleagues by sharing information and serving as mentors when
appropriate.
5.5 Obtain the consent of colleagues before bringing an intern to an assignment.
Business Practices Tenet
Interpreters maintain ethical business practices.
Business Practices Guiding Principle
Interpreters are expected to conduct their business in a professional manner
whether in private practice or in the employ of an agency or other entity. Professional interpreters are
entitled to a living wage based on their qualifications and expertise. Interpreters are also entitled to
working conditions conducive to effective service delivery.
Business Practices Illustrative Behavior
6.1 Accurately represent qualifications, such as certification, educational background, and experience,
and provide documentation when requested.
6.2 Honor professional commitments and terminate assignments only when fair and justifiable
grounds exist.
6.3 Promote conditions that are conducive to effective communication, inform the parties
involved if such conditions do not exist, and seek appropriate remedies.
6.4 Inform appropriate parties in a timely manner when delayed or unable to fulfill assignments.
6.5 Reserve the option to decline or discontinue assignments if working conditions are not safe,
healthy, or conducive to interpreting.
6.6 Refrain from harassment or coercion before, during, or after the provision of interpreting
services.
6.7 Render pro bono services in a fair and reasonable manner.
6.8 Charge fair and reasonable fees for the performance of interpreting services and arrange for
payment in a professional and judicious manner.
Professional Development Tenet
Interpreters engage in professional development.
Professional Development Guiding Principle
Interpreters are expected to foster and maintain interpreting competence and the
stature of the profession through ongoing development of knowledge and skills.
