State-Certification
The requirements for becoming a state-certified court interpreter are different from those for becoming a federal court interpreter. Each state has its own regulations and exams that must be passed to gain certification. For example, Colorado requires applicants to pass an orientation, a written exam, and an oral exam. New York, on the other hand, requires applicants to pass an orientation, a written language or translation assessment, a background check, and an oral exam. Again, the requirements and exams vary by state, so click here to learn the process in your state.
Once you pass these requirements, you will be able to work as a court interpreter in local and state court proceedings.
Federal Certification
The administrative offices of the United States Court organizes interpreters into three categories:
Certified Interpreters
Federal programs for court interpretation certification have only been created for three languages as of yet: Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole. The certification process is only active for the Spanish language at the current time.
To become a certified Spanish court interpreter, one must pass the Spanish-English Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination (FCICE). This test is divided into a written and an oral portion. In the oral examination, candidates will be judged on their simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation, and sight translation abilities.
Professionally Qualified Interpreters
Becoming a professional qualified interpreter is the way to earn federal recognition for all languages besides Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole. To become professionally qualified in interpretation of a language, one must complete one of the following:
- Pass the U.S. Department of State Conference/Seminar Interpreter Test.
- Pass the United Nations Interpreter Test
- Be a member of the AIIC or TAALS
- Have a Legal Specialist Certificate from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (for sign language interpreters only)
Language Skilled/Ad Hoc Interpreters
Language skilled or ad hoc interpreters do not qualify as professionally qualified interpreters, but they have demonstrated their satisfactory ability to interpret between English and their chosen language. This type of interpretation career is less stable and less well paid than certified or professionally qualified interpretation.
Those wishing to work as a professionally qualified or language skilled interpreter in languages other than Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole should contact their local federal courts to inquire about the need for interpretation in the chosen language.
Have any advice for future court interpreters? Share your advice in the comments below!
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You may also be interested in the following:
Ebook: Top Ten Tips for Interpreters and Translators
Article: Cleaning up mistranslated signs – What a cool idea
Article: The World’s Ten Most Translated Authors
Article: Simultaneous Interpretation Series Part 1 of 6: Introduction to Simultaneous Interpretation
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