The demand for interpreters in the United States is projected to rise by 19% through 2028. That means now is the perfect time to either start your career or sharpen your skills. And one of the best ways to skill up is to specialize in one or more fields. However, fields such as medical and legal interpreting have a range of requirements you may need to meet.
Let’s explore legal interpreting in more depth, covering the education, training, and credentials you’ll need to succeed in the field.
Education and Training for Legal Interpreters
Courts and other employers often require legal interpreters to hold bachelor’s degrees. Some legal interpreters have a degree in foreign languages, translation studies, or legal studies, but you can enter the field even if you studied another subject.
Many colleges and universities throughout the United States offer interpreting certificates, which require a set number of training hours to complete and differ from state certifications.
You can also enroll in training programs and workshops offered by state courts, as well as local and national interpreting organizations.
To become a court interpreter, you’ll need to train to perform the three major types of court interpreting: sight translation, consecutive interpreting, and simultaneous interpreting.
Court Interpreter Credentialing
There are two types of court interpreting certifications: state and federal. Here’s a quick overview of the requirements for each.
State Court Interpreter Certification
Although the requirements vary from state to state, you’ll need to pass a written and oral exam in English and a foreign language. State courts offer these exams. Many states also recognize certification through the Consortium for Language Access in Courts and the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators.
However, certification exams aren’t available for every language. If your state doesn’t offer a certification for your language, you may qualify to become a registered court interpreter.
Federal Court Interpreter Certification
Becoming a federal court interpreter is a challenging yet rewarding process that can open the door to new opportunities. But here’s the catch—certification is only available for Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Navajo. You must take written and oral exams separately if you speak one of these languages.
You can still become a professionally qualified interpreter if you don’t speak one of these languages. To do so, you’ll need to:
- Pass the U.S. Department of State conference or seminar interpreter test.
- Pass the United Nations interpreter test.
- And be a member in good standing of the Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conférence (AIIC) or the American Association of Language Specialists (TAALS).
Credentials Every Court Interpreter Should Have
Once you’re ready to take the state or federal interpreting certification exam, there are plenty of resources to help you prepare. If you’re a working legal interpreter, check out Boostlingo’s interpreter network.
