What is a Federally Certified Court Interpreter?

Federal court certification—granted by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts—is the highest level of court-interpreter certification in the country. To be conferred the status of a Federally Certified Court Interpreter (FCCI), interpreters undergo a stringent examination process with an overall pass rate of around 8%; the pass rate for the bar exam was 60% in 2021.

If you are looking for the highest possible quality threshold in Spanish-English interpretation for your legal case, you are looking for an FCCI.

Here’s what distinguishes an FCCI:

• An FCCI has passed a written exam that tests comprehension of legal texts and terminology, colloquial expressions, academic and high-register language, and translation nuances with equal weight between English and Spanish.

• An FCCI has passed a rigorous oral interpretation exam with a score of 80% or higher. This means an FCCI can verbally translate legal documents on the spot, handle rambling witness testimonies, and keep up with rapid-fire closing statements in real time.

• An FCCI is thoroughly trained in and adheres to a strict code of ethics as an officer of the court.

• Many FCCIs are members of professional bodies such as The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators or the The American Translators Association.

In short, working with an FCCI means you are working with a qualified, vetted professional. If you’d like more information about what kind of interpreter is right for you, please contact Andrew.