Federal Court Interpreter Certification

Court interpretation services are essential to ensure that individuals' rights are upheld.

The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination Program provides language interpretation services for individuals who are hearing impaired or speak a language other than English. As of July 2010, the program's certification examination only tests interpreters on their fluency in English and Spanish.

Purpose

The purpose of the Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination Program is to ensure that qualified interpreters are available for court proceedings involving individuals whose native language is not English. It is essential that non-English speakers understand the federal court procedures to uphold their rights in the criminal justice system.

History

The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination Program began due to the 1978 Court Interpreters Act, according to the National Center for State Courts. Since 1980, developers of the program have determined the credentialing requirements for interpreters working with the federal court system and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

Examination

The certification examination is available for interpreters fluent in Spanish. The exam contains written and oral components. According to the certification website, candidates must earn at least a 75 on the English and Spanish sections of the written multiple-choice test. If they pass the written component, they participate in an oral exam that tests their knowledge of legal terminology in both languages; they must earn at least an 80 to pass.

References

• United States Courts: Federal Court Interpreters
• National Center for State Courts: Federal Court Interpreter Certification Program - About the Program
• US Courts: Interpreter Categories