What is a certified court interpreter in Washington?

Washington Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) provides credentials to interpreters in the form of certified or registered status. The type of status an interpreter holds depends on the foreign language in which he or she is tested. Certification exists for the 13 foreign languages of primary diffusion in Washington, such as Spanish, Russian, and Mandarin. Registration exists for approximately 90 languages of lesser diffusion in the state, e.g. Samoan, Haitian Creole, or Japanese.

The process to become a certified interpreter includes:

• Passing a written exam with a score of 80% or higher; this exam tests proficiency with English-language vocabulary, court related terms, and ethics;

• Attending a one-day orientation program sponsored by the AOC;

• Passing an oral interpretation exam with a score of 70% or higher in each section; this exams tests the three modes of interpreting used in court: sight translation, consecutive interpretation, and simultaneous interpretation;

• Attending a mandatory Ethics and Protocol Class.

In contrast, the registration process does not include an oral interpretation exam. Rather, it includes a “Foreign Language Speaking/Comprehension Exam.”

Washington has about 180 certified Spanish interpreters, most of whom are located on the west side of the state. There are seven Spanish interpreters in Spokane with certified status, three of whom also possess federal certification.

If you have any questions about what it means to work with a certified interpreter in Washington, please contact Andrew for more information.