Certification Examinations
As stated in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, there is currently no universal form of certification required of interpreters and translators in the United States. However there are a variety of different tests that can be taken to demonstrate proficiency which may be helpful in gaining employment. It is important to note that these tests are not considered a credential, but successful completion indicates that a person has a significant level of skill in the field. The general information regarding the translation and interpretation exams currently available and listed below has been taken directly from the exam providers websites.
Translation Examinations
American Translators Association (ATA)
ATA has established a certification program that allows translators to
demonstrate that they meet certain standards of the translation profession.
Translators who pass the examination are certified by ATA in a specific language
pair and direction (from or into English).
Completion of an ATA-approved program is required before an applicant may register for the ATA exam. The Specialized Certificate in Translation and the Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation at UC San Diego Extension are ATA-approved programs.
Guide to the ATA Certification Program
Practice Test
Frequently Asked Questions
U.S. Department of State
The Translating Division of the Office of Language Services (LS) provides translation services to the Department of State, the White House, and other U.S. Government agencies. Much of this work is handled by permanent staff, but we also have an extensive roster of contract translators. LS contracts for translation and related services in virtually every language used in international diplomacy. Contractors must demonstrate a high degree of translating proficiency as well as professionalism, reliability and versatility.
Translations assigned to contractors cover a wide range of styles and subjects. Typical examples would include laws; treaties and international agreements on technical, scientific, military, economic, and cultural subjects; training manuals; court documents; political speeches and position papers; slide presentations; and official correspondence between government leaders. Hence, suitability of style and fidelity to nuance must accompany a high degree of factual and conceptual accuracy in the target language rendition. High quality word-processed output is usually required.
Other work assigned to contractors includes on-site support for meetings or conferences, summarizing documents, reviewing translations, and ascertaining the substantive conformity of texts written in two or more languages (comparisons).
Completion of a translation program is not a requirement in the LS application process however it is recommended.
General Information
Translation Examination
Interpretation Examinations
State and Municiple Courts
The primary function of a state certified court interpreter is to interpret for
defendants and witnesses in criminal, civil, and juvenile proceedings.
Assignments may include in-court proceedings, such as arraignments, preliminary
hearings, and sentencing, along with out-of-court proceedings, such as jail
interviews and depositions.
Success
as a court interpreter requires an understanding of both legal terminology and
colloquial language and the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for the profession.
Only interpreters who pass the Court Interpreter Certification Examination and submit an application to the Judicial Council are referred to as certified court interpreters. Currently there are three types of State-Certified Interpreters: Administrative
Hearing, Medical, and Court. Other types of
The certification examination consists of written and oral components. In the computer-administered, English-only written portion, candidates are tested on their knowledge of English language grammar and vocabulary, court-related terms and usage, and ethics and professional conduct. Candidates who pass the written component may go on to take the oral component, which tests skills in simultaneous and consecutive interpreting and in sight translation.
Completion of an interpretation program is not a requirement for the exam application process however it is recommended.
General Information
Exam Information
Federal Courts
Only interpreters who pass the Spanish-English Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination are certified to interpret in federal courts.
The certification examination consists of written and oral components. In the written portion, cadidates are tested on their job-relevant language ability in English and Spanish through their comprehension of written text, knowledge of volcabulary, and grammatically correct expressions, and their ability to select the appropriate target language rendering of source language text. Candidates who pass the written component may go on to take the oral component which tests interpretation skills in simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation, and sight translation.
Completion of an interpretation program is not a requirement for the exam application process however it is recommended.
Examinee Handbook
Practice Oral Examination
U.S. Department of State
The Interpreting Division of Language Services (LS) provides staff and contract conference interpreters for the Department of State, the White House, and the Executive Branch of the Federal Government. Approximately 15 staff members interpret on a routine basis for the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, and Cabinet members, as well as for senior officials and delegations in Washington, DC, and elsewhere in the United States and also on their travel to foreign countries. From public policy to diplomacy, from current events to scientific and military topics, the daily activity of the conference interpreter requires a well-rounded and up-to-date repository of general knowledge. LS also provides liaison/escort interpreters, seminar interpreters, and English Language Officers to accompany U.S. government-sponsored visitors from overseas on public diplomacy programs around the nation.
The U.S. Department of State has a three-test series for prospective interpreters—one test in simple consecutive interpreting (for escort work), another in simultaneous interpreting (for court or seminar work), and a third in conference-level interpreting (for international conferences)—as well as a test for prospective translators. The three-test series is given only to those candidates whose applications and telephone screening indicate that they meet the necessary requirements for successful evaluation.
Seminar and Escort level candidates will also be asked standardized questions dealing with aspects of US history, society, and culture as well as their ability to handle on-the-job situations when accompanying international visitors.
Completion of an interpretation program is not a requirement for the exam application process however it is recommended.
General Information
Interpretation Examination
Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)
Completion of a registered medical interpreter educational program is required before an applicant may register for the exam. The Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation at UC San Diego Extension is fulfills the medical interpreter educational program requirement to register for the CCHI exam.
The test blueprint below reflects the intent of those knowledge, skills, and
abilities tested in the 2-part written and oral examination.
Part 1 – Written Exam
- Manage the healthcare encounter
- Understand Healthcare
Terminology
- Interact with Other Healthcare
Professionals
- Prepare for an Interpreting
Encounter
- Introduce yourself to the patient according to
protocols
Part II – Oral Exam
- Interpret Consecutively
- Interpret Simultaneously
- Sight Translate/Translate Healthcare Documents
Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreter
Certified Healthcare Interpreter Examination
Certification Examination Handbook
National Board for Certification of Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)
Completion of a registered medical interpreter educational program is required before an applicant may register for the exam. The Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation at UC San Diego Extension is fulfills the medical interpreter educational program requirement to register for the NBCMI exam.
The test outline below reflects the intent of those knowledge, skills, and
abilities tested in the 2-part written and oral examination.
Part I – Written Exam
- Medical Terminology (largest section) – not translation of terms, but
understanding of terminology- in English
- Roles of the Medical Interpreter
- Medical Interpreter Ethics
- Cultural Competence
- Medical Specialties
- Interpreter Standards of Practice (IMIA, CHIA, NCIHC)
- Legislation and Regulations (HIPAA, CLAS)
Part II – Oral Exam
- Linguistic proficiency in both working languages
- Consecutive Interpreting skills in context
- Sight Translation skills from English into other language
- Knowledge of Medical Terminology and Specialties within context in both
languages
- Cultural Competence
National Board for Certification of Medical Interpreters
General Information
General Preparation
Written Exam and Study Guide
Oram Exam
|
