Washington State Court Interpreter Program
Updates and Announcements
The Washington Courts are committed to ensuring equal access to justice for all individuals regardless of their ability to communicate in the spoken English language. Language interpreters play an essential role in ensuring due process and helping court proceedings function efficiently and effectively.
Local trial courts are responsible for scheduling interpreters for court proceedings. If you or someone you know requires the use of a language interpreter, please contact the court where the proceeding will occur.
The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) supports the trial courts and strives to ensure high quality interpreter services. The Court Interpreter Program oversees the training and testing of certified and registered spoken language interpreters, channels state funding to trial courts for the provision of interpreter services, and provides staffing and support to the Interpreter Commission. The Washington AOC has been certifying court interpreters as to their competency and accuracy since 1990.
The strategic direction for the Interpreter Program is found in state statute and court rule:
- RCW Chapter 2.42 secures the rights of deaf and hearing impaired persons to interpreters.
- RCW Chapter 2.43 secures the rights of non-English speaking and limited English speaking persons.
- GR (General Rule) 11 establishes the Interpreter Commission and a Code of Conduct for Court Interpreters.
