Certified Interpreters
Thank you for your interest in becoming a certified court interpreter. The Administrative Office of the Courts currently certifies interpreters in the following languages:
| Arabic (Egyptian or Levantine) |
Mandarin |
| Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian |
Portuguese |
| Cantonese |
Russian |
| French |
Spanish |
| Khmer (Cambodian) |
Tagalog |
| Korean |
Vietnamese |
| Laotian |
How to Become Certified
It usually takes a little over a year to complete the process of becoming certified. The main steps to become a court interpreter are:
- Pass the Court Interpreter written exam with a score of 80% or better.
- Attend a one-day orientation program sponsored by the AOC
- Pass the oral Court Interpreter Exam with a score of at least 70% in each section.
- Attend a mandatory Ethics and Protocol Class
Before becoming certified you must also:
- Pass a fingerprint background check (processing fee applies)
- Take the Oath of Interpreter
- Receive an interpreter ID badge
If you are already have certification in another state, you may be able to get certification by reciprocity. Please see the Reciprocity section below.
Exams and Classes
The written and oral exams were developed by the National Center for State Courts and are used in a number of states.
Written Exam:
This exam tests your proficiency with English language vocabulary, court related terms, and ethics. The exam is in English and interpreters of all languages take the same exam. It is a multiple choice test, and you must get a score of at least 80% to pass. The test is available year-round at testing centers across Washington.
You can find more details on the Written Exam Overview and on the Written Exam webpage.
Oral Exam
This exam has three sections: sight translation, consecutive interpreting, and simultaneous interpreting. An audio recording is made during the exam which is scored by language professionals recruited nationally. Test candidates must get a score of 70% or better in all three sections. You can find an overview of the oral exam here. The oral exams usually take place in the fall of each year.
Court Interpreter Orientation
The orientation is an introduction to the structure and terminology used in Washington State Courts. It also provides an overview of what court interpreting is and how you can prepare for the Oral Exam. You can find more details on the Orientation webpage.
Ethics and Protocol Class
This class is usually the final step in the process of becoming certified. It covers the ethics issues facing interpreters and how to manage challenging situations. It also reviews some of the basic protocols of working in a court room setting. Interpreters who have completed all of requirements for certification take their oath of interpreter during this class and receive their badge. The class typically takes place in the fall and spring of each year.
Reciprocity
The process for gaining reciprocity in Washington States depends on where you gained you current certification.
For interpreters who obtained their certification from either:
- The Oregon Court Interpreter Certification Program
or
- The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination Program
You will need to:
- Provide formal written documentation of certification status.
- Provide a letter from the certification program stating that the interpreter is in good standing.
- Submit to a fingerprint background check.
- Execute the Oath of Interpreter.
- Obtain an interpreter ID badge from the Washington AOC.
For interpreters who obtained their certification from:
- States other than Oregon that use the same written and oral exam National Center for State Courts testing instruments as Washington and have the same testing standards as Washington.
You will need to:
- Provide written documentation of passing the oral certification exam from the administering state.
- Provide a letter from the certification program stating that the interpreter is in good standing.
- Attend a mandatory class on the Introduction to Court Interpreting, provided by the Washington AOC.
- Submit to a fingerprint background check.
- Execute the Oath of Interpreter.
- Obtain an interpreter ID badge from the Washington AOC.
The Washington Court Interpreter Program reserves the right to reject oral certification exam test scores for individuals who passed the exam more than four years prior to application for certification in Washington and have subsequently performed little or no court interpreting.
If you would like to apply for reciprocity, please contact: interpreters@courts.wa.gov.
Compliance Requirements
Every two years, certified interpreters must complete the following to maintain their certification:
- Take 16 continuing education credits
- Complete 20 hours of courtroom interpreting
- Sign a declaration of personal conduct
Employment
Court interpreters are hired individually by each superior, district, and municipal court. The demand for interpreters depends on the location in the state. You can check with your local courts to see what kind of opportunities are available in your area. You can find contact information for Washington courts here: http://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/
Contact information for certified court interpreters is placed on the courts website at www.courts.wa.gov/programs_orgs/pos_interpreter.
Additional Information
Certified Interpreter Program Policies Manual
FAQs for Certified Court Interpreters
Examination Information
