How to Become a Court Interpreter

ALL fees have been WAIVED for 2024 (except the OPE - Oral Proficiency EXAM)

 

What is the Court Interpreter's Role?

A Court Interpreter is a person who interprets orally from English to another language and vice versa in a court hearing. Interpreters also translate written documents.

To interpret means to provide the same meaning in the target language as the meaning in the source language. The interpreter's role is to render a complete and accurate interpretation or translation, without changing, omitting, or adding anything to what is said or written. In essence, the interpreter serves as a two-way bridge between those who speak English and those who do not.

It is not the interpreter's role to explain what is being said. It is not the interpreter's role to give advice or counsel or to provide services other than interpreting from one language to another.

 

What Skills Must a Court Interpreter Have?

Court interpreting requires extensive knowledge and skill in languages, and is a very demanding job. Being bilingual is not enough. Even people who are proficient in two languages often do not have a sufficient command of both languages, sufficient legal and technical vocabulary in both languages, and sufficient interpreting skill to interpret in a courtroom.

The level of expertise required for court interpreting is much greater than that required in everyday conversation. In addition to having a thorough command of English and the other language, a Court Interpreter must be able to deal with technical and specialized language. A Court Interpreter must be able to interpret accurately for individuals with a high level of education and a large vocabulary, as well as for people with very limited language skills, without changing the language register of the speaker. The interpreter must also possess excellent mental skills, including the ability to accurately convert the source language into the target language, and vice versa, often with only an instant to choose equivalent words and phrases.

A Court Interpreter must also have good public speaking and interpersonal skills. If the testimony to be interpreted is shocking or traumatic, the Court Interpreter must be able to interpret without reacting or becoming emotionally involved. The Court Interpreter must work well under pressure and react quickly to solve complex linguistic and ethical problems. A Court Interpreter must continually strive to improve his or her skills by reading from a wide variety of sources, researching new terms and concepts, and improving techniques.

 

Court Interpreter Credentials

From their highest to lowest qualifications, Utah Court Interpreters are credentialed as:

• Certified: Our most highly qualified interpreters. In addition to the basic requirements of an English written test, a test on the Interpreter Code of Professional Responsibility, a 2-Day Orientation, a background check, and 10 hours of observation, a certified interpreter has completed a five-day training course and passed a three-part examination on the modes of interpretation. A certified interpreter must be used unless one is not reasonably available.
• Approved: Our next most qualified interpreters. In addition to the basic requirements of an English written test, a test on the Interpreter Code of Professional Responsibility, a 2-Day Orientation, a background check, and 10 hours of observation, an approved interpreter has passed an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).
• Registered: These individuals have completed the basic requirements (English written test, test on the Interpreter Code of Professional Responsibility, 2-Day Orientation, a background check, and 10 hours of observation), but there are no examinations available in their language, so they are unable to become certified or approved. As soon as testing becomes available in their language, they must pass the exam(s) or will be removed from the list.
• Conditionally Approved: These individuals have only completed an application and a background check. In accordance with CJA Rule 3-306.04(1)(D), a conditionally-approved interpreter may only be appointed if the appointing authority, after evaluating the totality of the circumstances, finds that:
  1. the prospective interpreter has language skills, knowledge of interpreting techniques and familiarity with interpreting sufficient to interpret the legal proceeding;
  2. appointment of the prospective interpreter does not present a real or perceived conflict of interest or appearance of bias; and
  3. a certified, approved, or registered interpreter is not reasonably available or the gravity of the legal proceeding and the potential consequence to the person are so minor that delays in obtaining a certified or approved interpreter are not justified.

 

Interpreter Fees

• Certified: $52
• Approved: $41
• Registered 1: $41
• Conditionally Approved: $23

Minimum Fees. Court Interpreters are paid for the time they interpret or a minimum fee based on the distance they travel, whichever is more. Mileage is calculated using a court-approved mileage chart.

For a more thorough description of fees, please see the Court Interpreter Section (Section 9) of the Court Accounting Manual.

 

Interpreter Credentials from Other States

Utah recognizes comparable credentials from other states. Subject to compliance with the requirements in the next paragraph, an interpreter who has been rated as Superior on the Oral Proficiency Interview administered in another state will be recognized as an Approved Court Interpreter in Utah. And an interpreter who has passed the Certification Examination administered in another state with a score of at least 70% on all three parts will be recognized as a Certified Court Interpreter in Utah.

The candidate must complete the Utah Application to Become a Court Interpreter, pass the background check, and pass the examination on the Code of Professional Responsibility for Court Interpreters. The other Basic Steps are waived. Nevertheless, only interpreters residing in Utah will be listed on the official roster. To remain credentialed in Utah, Court Interpreters must meet the Continuing Requirements for Court Interpreters.

 

American Sign Language Interpreters

Please visit the American Sign Language website to find information on the requirements and application for becoming an ASL Court Interpreter.

 

Basic Steps for All Candidates

All candidates must:

• Complete an application;
• pass a background check;
• pass an English Written Test;
• participate in the 2-Day Orientation; and
• pass the test about the Code of Professional Responsibility for Court Interpreters (may be completed at the end of the process)

Candidates who complete these steps are classified as Registered 1 if they interpret in a language for which an Oral Proficiency Interview or Certification Examination is not available.

 

Application Form

Most Court Interpreters are not court employees. They are appointed by the court to interpret hearings as needed. A candidate who would like to qualify as a Court Interpreter must first complete and submit an Application to Become a Court Interpreter.

A candidate that would like to complete the Conditionally Approved status must complete this application. -  PDF

 

Background Check

The Administrative Office of the Courts conducts a background check, at no charge to the candidate, based on the identifying information provided by the candidate. If a candidate does not pass the background check, they may appeal the decision within 30 days to the Language Access Committee. All Court Interpreters must pass a background check every two years.

 

2-Day Orientation

A candidate must complete the 2-Day Orientation as part of the Basic Steps described above. The court offers this language-neutral training twice annually to help candidates understand the court interpreting profession. The certificate received for the 2-Day Orientation is valid for two years from the date the class was attended.

The 2-Day Orientation will provide candidates with:

• an improved understanding of the skills and appropriate conduct required of professional court interpreters.
• a basic orientation to courts and the justice environment.
• an overview of the judicial system and the roles of related justice system agencies such as law enforcement, prosecutor, defense attorney, probation, children's social services.
• information on court procedures and how they differ for different case types.
• information on the interpreter's role, including the Code of Professional Responsibility.
• an overview of related settings to which the interpreter may be called, such as jails, hospitals, probation department, juvenile courts, detention centers, and mediations, etc.
• a glossary of legal terminology, emphasizing the characteristics of legal language (e.g., common words with uncommon meanings) and how to research terminology.
• self-study materials and tips.

*Please note, fees for these courses are only refundable for one year after payment has been made.

** There are no exceptions to the registration deadline.

2-Day Orientation Registration Form

 

English Written Exam

The English Written Exam will be held four times in 2024. The test will only be offered at Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City, UT.

2024 testing dates are:

• April 30, 2024
• June 20, 2024
• September 17, 2024
• October 1, 2024

English Written Exam Registration Form

Please call 801-578-3800 to pay the test fee with a debit or credit card. Spots will be filled by those who register and pay the $25 test fee first.

 

3-Day Skill Building Workshop and 2-Day Exam Prep Workshop

• Valuable component in passing the Certification Examination.
• Complete immersion in the modes of interpretation.
• Instructors observe and listen to participants as they practice the modes of interpretation.
• Voice recorders make review and feedback possible.

Enrollment is limited to candidates who have completed the Basic Steps described above. Candidates must complete the 3-Day Skill-building Workshop before they will be allowed to attend the 2-Day Exam Prep Workshop.

The workshops will help candidates improve their interpreting skills and help prepare them for the Oral Proficiency Exam.

*Please note, fees for these courses are only refundable for one year after payment has been made.

The course alone is not enough to prepare most people to pass the examinations. The candidate should follow up with very intensive individual work. The National Center for State Courts website offers several training tools.

Click here to register for the workshops: Workshop Registration Form

  

Code of Professional Responsibility for Court Interpreters

All candidates must take and pass an examination on the Code of Professional Responsibility for Court Interpreters after the English Test and 2-Day Orientation have been completed. There is no fee. It is approximately 20 multiple-choice questions on what is an appropriate action when confronted with an ethical situation.

• Code of Professional Responsibility for Court Interpreters

The candidate must email the Program Coordinator at jessical@utcourts.gov with a day to receive the test. The candidate will be emailed a link to the test and will have 24 hours in which to complete the test.

 

In-court Observation

Candidates must complete 10 observation hours of a certified court interpreter. Most certified court interpreters interpret in Spanish, but the candidate, regardless of language, is there to observe the participation of the interpreter in the court process, not to learn language or interpretation skills.

Candidates should contact the interpreter coordinator in their district for a schedule of upcoming interpreter assignments and to receive a log sheet. For contact information, see our webpage on List of Interpreter Coordinators.

You can find the Webex link for court proceedings at https://www.utcourts.gov/cal/. While observing proceedings, you must keep your mic muted and your video turned off on Webex.

 

Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) to Become an Approved Court Interpreter

To become an Approved Court Interpreter, a candidate must complete the Basic Steps described above, and they must also take the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) offered by Language Testing International and score a Superior rating.

A Superior rating means that the candidate must demonstrate the ability to:

• Speak the standard form of the language without using English or slang.
• Speak the language formally, as well as informally, from both concrete and abstract perspectives.
• Speak the language with a high level of accuracy and no pattern of error.
• State and support a point of view in extended discourse on topics of personal and general interest.
• Speculate and hypothesize about possible causes, outcomes, and/or occurrences in extended discourse.

The Oral Proficiency Interview is conducted online with a live Certified ACTFL Tester and costs $108. Registration is required and the payment is due at the time of registration. The fees paid by the candidate are paid directly to Language Testing International (LTI).

NOTE: When responding to questions during the LTI registration process regarding your skill level, please be honest. If you select the lowest skill level your questions will be easier, but even if you perform perfectly, that low level of difficulty will not garner you a superior rating. The degree of difficulty must be high enough to qualify for a superior rating. Please contact LTI for more detailed information on this issue.

1. Go to www.languagetesting.com
2. Select your language from the drop down menu and click "Get Certified"
3. On the Student/Teacher side, under the Language Certification for General Proficiency ACTFL at the bottom of the page, select "Choose Test".
4. Under Speaking, on ACTFL OPIc, Click on "Select Test"
5. Click "Continue to Schedule"
6. Follow the links to apply for a test

After you receive your passing results, please send a copy of your results to the Program Coordinator at jessical@utcourts.gov.

 

Oral Proficiency Examination (OPE)

Certified Court Interpreters are the most highly trained and qualified interpreters. To become a Certified Court Interpreter, the candidate must complete the Basic Steps described above, they must attend the Skill Building Workshops described above, and they must also pass the Certification Examination which is provided to us by the National Center for State Courts. For a current list of languages in which a Certification Examination is available, see the National Center for State Courts website. The website also has training tools and other information.

2024 testing dates are:

• June 18-19, 2024 (Register no later than April 5, 2024)

There are no exceptions to the registration deadline.

The fee (subject to change without notice) is $200 for Utah residents and $400 for non-residents and is non-refundable. Pre-registration is required, and payment is due upon registration. If your registration and payment have not been received by the deadline you will not be able to take the exam.

The exam consists of three parts—sight translation, simultaneous interpretation and consecutive interpretation—and the candidate must pass all three parts (minimum score 70%) within two years after passing one part.

The entire exam requires one hour, and candidates are scheduled for the exam by registration date.

Click here to register for the Oral Proficiency Exam: Oral Proficiency Exam

 

Continuing Requirements for Certified Court Interpreters

Certified Court Interpreters must complete at least 16 hours of continuing education every two years. For more information, see our webpage on Continuing Education Requirements.