Interpreting is all about words—what they mean and how we ensure we get the meaning right whenever we interpret them. The words we choose to describe our profession to potential clients and ourselves matter, and in this case, knowing the difference between a certified interpreter and a qualified interpreter matters. If you wish to learn why, then you’ve come to the right place.
Certified Interpreter
Let’s start with the term “certified interpreter.” This term implies that the interpreter passed an exam or evaluation process by a recognized governmental or professional organization, proving interpreting competence in at least two languages. The certification exam itself has been validated as effectively testing interpreting knowledge and skills.
Currently, in the United States, there are validated certification exams for medical and legal interpreting, as well as general and specialized certifications for sign language interpreters.
On the other side of the globe, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, NAATI for short, is the national standards and certifying authority for translators and interpreters in Australia. It has certifications for the following categories:
- Certified provisional interpreter
- Certified interpreter
- Certified specialist health interpreter
- Certified specialist legal interpreter
- Certified conference interpreter.
Another thing to note is that a small number of additional countries have also developed their own formal certification processes.
A Shortage of Available Certifications around the Globe
Interpreter certifications are only available for a limited number of language pairs.
The stark truth is that there will never be enough money, expertise, or even demand for interpreter certification tests across all possible language pairs for all specialties. Yet, hospitals, courts, schools, governments, and most clients would love to see those magic initials, such as RN, MD, Esq., or PhD, after interpreters’ names that prove we can do what we say we do and that an outside authority agrees.
Despite existing demand, language companies and clients struggle to find trained, professional interpreters with clear indicators of their skills in hundreds of languages globally.
Unlike practicing law here in the United States, the multitude of language pairs make it impossible for there to be one definitive exam, like the bar, to exist in the interpreting space. Rather than just testing knowledge about the mechanics of interpreting, an interpreter certification exam, by nature, has to test language proficiency and terminology skills in more than one language.
Developing the questions to sufficiently gauge those abilities requires money and expertise that are simply not available for every language combination.
Qualified Interpreter
As interpreters, we would all love to be able to take the definitive test that would show the world we can do our roles competently, the same way that doctors, teachers, lawyers, nurses, and any other profession can. But since that simply isn’t possible, we come to our second term: the “qualified interpreter.”
Most certifying bodies provide a “qualified” or “provisional” status for interpreters who speak languages for which no certification is available. In this case, the criteria for what is considered “qualified” may consist of showing the required level of language proficiency, passing a test in English or a country’s primary language of service, and proof of the individual’s ability to provide interpreting services.
Federal Guidance on Working with Qualified Interpreters
In May 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updated Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act to strengthen language access in healthcare. The rules require providers to inform patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) about their right to free language assistance and limit the use of untrained interpreters unless specifically requested by the patient with a professional interpreter present.
The guidance also sets quality standards for remote interpreting, requiring reliable video or phone connections and qualified interpreters with professional training. These changes promote clear communication, health equity, and compliance by ensuring organizations work only with certified or qualified interpreters and train staff on the proper use of language services.
Watch our on-demand webinar with expert Bill Rivers on the Section 1557 ruling.
Make Our Words Count
Many of us who have watched the interpreting profession remember the early days when companies that provide language services and training programs would declare an interpreter “certified” if they completed a privately developed training and testing process.
The industry has made significant progress over the past 30 years, and interpreters and advocates have worked hard to build credibility and visibility by reserving the term “certified” for validated, skills-based testing processes. But confusion still often remains.
The time has come to rein in this confusion. When federal and state governments take the time to define what they consider to be competent, trained professionals, we want to make sure they are using the criteria that we, as a profession, have developed and stand by.
Find a Qualified Interpreter Today
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