What is a court interpreter?
A court interpreter is anyone who interprets in a civil or criminal court proceeding (e.g., arraignment, motion, pretrial conference, preliminary hearing, deposition, trial) for a witness or defendant who speaks or understands little or no English. Court interpreters must accurately interpret for individuals with a high level of education and an expansive vocabulary, as well as persons with very limited language skills, without changing the language register of the speaker. Interpreters are also sometimes responsible for translating written documents, often of a legal nature, from English into the target language and from the target language into English.
What entity administers the State Certification Exam?
Cooperative Personnel Services (CPS) administers the State Certification Exam for Court Interpreters. Persons who need a copy of the application information packet should dial the interpreter voicemail system at 916-263-3490. Messages may be left 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The interpreters program staff may be contacted weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at 916-263-3600. For further information, write to
Cooperative Personnel Services
Interpreter Certification Program
241 Lathrop Way
Sacramento, CA 95815
What has the Judicial Council determined to be the requirements for becoming a certified court interpreter?
As approved by the Judicial Council on July 7, 1994, court interpreters must meet the following requirements for certification:
| Pass the State Certification Examination, offered by an approved testing entity; | |
| Register with the Judicial Council. | |
| Pay the annual $85 fee. | |
| Attend a Judicial Council Code of Ethics Workshop; and | |
| Submit proof of 30 hours of continuing education and 40 assignments of recent professional experience every two years. |
What other certification programs are available for interpreters?
Cooperative Personnel Services (CPS) also administers the State Certification Exam for Administrative Hearing Interpreters as well as for Medical Hearing Interpreters on behalf of the California State Personnel Board (SPB).
Those interested in taking the Federal Court Interpreter Certification Exam may obtain information from the entity responsible for administering that program at the following address:
The University of Arizona
Federal Court Interpreter Project
Roseann Dueñas Gonzales, Director
Modern Languages Building #67, Room 445
Tucson, Arizona 85721
Phone: 520-621-3686; Fax: 520-624-8130
