Looking to become a certified interpreter? The courses at Interpreter Education Online will help you prepare for your interpreter certification exam.
Below you will find brief descriptions of the major legal and medical interpreter certification programs. Be sure to click on the links for more information.
Legal Interpreters
Consortium for Language Access in the Courts
The Consortium for Language Access in the Courts is a division of the National Center for State Courts. The Consortium offers certification examinations that are recognized by many state court systems. You can find the specific state certification requirements of Consortium members by visiting the Consortium’s webpage.
Federal Court Interpreter Certification
Federal court certification is granted by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts through its federal court interpreter examination. Federal certification is available only for interpreters of Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole.
NAJIT Court Interpreter Certification Program
The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators (NAJIT) provides a certification in Spanish that is recognized by many states. Written and oral examinations are offered periodically.
Medical Interpreters
CCHI & NBCMI
Currently, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) and the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) are two organizations that oversee the certification process for medical interpreters. Both CCHI and NBCMI are similar in that they require 40 hours of healthcare interpreter training before the certification examination. However, they differ slightly in their certification requirements. Be sure to check out CCHI’s Candidate Examination Handbook and NBCMI’s Prerequisites page for more information.
