How to Become a Court Interpreter in 5 Steps

Have you ever wondered how America's courtrooms make sure that non-English speakers can understand the court's oral proceedings and instructions?

Court interpreters are the language specialists that lawyers, judges, and their clients count upon to translate oral speech (and occasionally written documents) into other languages.

Keep reading to find out what steps it takes to become a court interpreter, including training requirements, certifications, and more.

What Is a Court Interpreter?

Court interpreters are language translation professionals who ensure the clear understanding and participation of all non-English speaking persons in county, state, and federal courts and during any court-related events.

Certified interpreters may translate oral proceedings for the hearing impaired and for persons who solely or primarily speak a language other than English.

The federal government classifies three types of interpreters.

Federally certified interpreters are those who have passed the federal court's Administrative Office certification exam. Current federal certification programs are for Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole.

Professionally qualified (PQ) interpreters are those who qualify to interpret all other languages besides Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole.

• They must pass either the U.S. Department of State or United Nations interpreter test for English and the target language.
• They must also be a member in good standing of either the Association Internationale des Interpr?es de Conf?ence (AIIC) or the American Association of Language Specialists (TAALS).
• Sign language interpreters must hold the Specialist Certificate: Legal (SC:L) of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

Language-skilled (ad hoc) interpreters are those who can demonstrate the ability to interpret court proceedings from English to a target language (and vice versa) even if not fully qualified to be PQ interpreters.

Education

Court reporters usually need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in translation studies, court interpreting, or a language-related field plus a strong knowledge of the legal process and legal terminology.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate an exceptional command of English and at least one other language.

Sometimes, those who have completed post secondary certificate programs in the field may find work as language-skilled (ad hoc) interpreters in cases of special need.

Expectations and Obligations

Federal court interpreters are sworn in and become officers of the court, bound by Standards of Performance and Professional Responsibility (SPPR) that include ethics like impartiality, confidentiality, and propriety.

Also, the SPPR states that 'interpreters shall render a complete and accurate interpretation or sight translation that preserves the level of language used without altering, omitting, or adding anything to what is stated or written.'

At the state level, each one has different requirements for court interpreters. These may change, depending upon the language and legal setting. Also, not every state requires certification nor in every language.

Be sure to research the legal interpreting guidelines for the state in which you wish to practice.

Keep reading to learn how you would go about becoming a court interpreter.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Gaining a college education may not be a requirement in every state, but it will definitely enhance your prospects of gaining a better interpreter position.

Studying foreign languages and linguistics, English grammar and structure, translation studies, pre-law, political science, bilingual interpreting, or court interpreting are all good strategies.

Clearly, learning another language not just conversationally but also in terms of its formal grammar and structures (and advanced legal vocabulary) is a high priority.

Selecting the language or languages you wish to study may relate to your personal interest in a particular language or culture. It may also correspond to the languages most needed for interpretation in your particular state.

Becoming fluent enough to interpret in a foreign language takes a long time, not just in the classroom but also by using the language in everyday life.

Some ways to do so are to live in a community in which you use your second language daily, which you may do either in the U.S. or by studying abroad or otherwise living and working in another country after graduation.

Step 2: Enroll in a Certificate Program

Once you become fluent in a foreign language or have completed a bachelor's degree program in a related field, you might also want to enroll in a professional court interpreter or legal interpreter certificate program.

Such programs will provide you with some of the specific court interpreting skills you'll need to learn about such as the American judicial system and simultaneous translating.

You might find either a general certificate program or one that focuses on the languages of your choice, such as Spanish/English legal interpreter certificates.

Step 3: Become Certified at the Federal and/or State Level

The federal courts and most state courts require certification for employment as a court interpreter.

As we mentioned above, the federal courts have a Spanish-English Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination. This includes both an oral and written exam.

Many states require certification through exams issued by the National Center for State Courts, the American Translators Association, and in the case of sign language, by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

Exams have multiple components. As an example, in California, to become a certified court interpreter, you would need to take the following exams:

• oral proficiency exams
• English-only written exam
• bilingual oral interpreting exam

Minnesota requires that you fulfill:

• a written test on English proficiency
• a new court interpreter orientation and written test on ethics and terminology
• character and fitness requirements
• criminal background check requirement

Step 4: Find a Job as a Court Interpreter

Many states have a central agency or organization that oversees hiring, certifying, and/or assigning court interpreters.

For example, in Massachusetts, the Office of Language Access (OLA) is delegated to recruit, train, and certify the state's court interpreters before assigning them to various Massachusetts courts upon request.

In Georgia, the statewide court interpretation program is under the authority of the Standing Committee on Court Interpreters.

This policymaking body, appointed by the Supreme Court of Georgia, oversees the use of interpreters in Georgia civil and criminal courts and provides interpreter licensing and education services.

So to become a court interpreter, you would need to apply either at the state or federal level and make sure that you met the criteria and held the proper credentialing for that specific jurisdiction.

Step 5: Gain Experience as a Court Interpreter

The job prospects for interpreters are excellent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a job growth rate of 24% for all interpreters and translators in the decade between 2020 and 2030.

Start Your Career as a Court Interpreter

To become a court interpreter, you'll need to be fluent in another language, complete the proper education, and earn the appropriate certification.