How to Become a Court Interpreter in Ohio

Becoming a court interpreter in Ohio involves following the guidelines established by the Supreme Court of Ohio Language Services Program. Here’s a step-by-step overview:

🛠️ 1. Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements

Be 18 years or older.
Have legal authorization to work in the U.S..
Demonstrate proficiency in English and the target language.

Details: Supreme Court of Ohio – Language Services Program

🎓 2. Attend a Court Interpreter Orientation

Attend the mandatory orientation program provided by the Ohio Supreme Court.
The orientation covers:
- Roles and responsibilities of court interpreters.
- Professional ethics (Code of Professional Conduct for Court Interpreters).
- Overview of Ohio's judicial system.
- Interpretation modes: simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation.

Orientation schedule: Ohio Interpreter Orientation

✏️ 3. Pass the Written Exam

The written exam evaluates:
- English language proficiency.
- Court-related terminology.
- Professional conduct and ethics.
A passing score is 80% or higher.

Exam details: Ohio Interpreter Testing

Free Exam Preparation: Go Here

🎤 4. Pass the Oral Proficiency Exam (if applicable)

The oral exam tests:
- Simultaneous interpretation.
- Consecutive interpretation.
- Sight translation.
Ohio offers certification for languages like Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Vietnamese, Korean, and Mandarin.
For languages with no certification exam, candidates can apply to become registered interpreters after passing a language proficiency test.

More on exams: Oral Exam Information
Oral exam training resources: Go Here

📝 5. Submit an Application and Pass a Background Check

Submit a Court Interpreter Certification Application to the Supreme Court of Ohio Language Services Program.
Pass a criminal background check.

Application and forms: Interpreter Application Process

⚖️ 6. Complete Ethics Training and Take the Oath

Attend the ethics training session.
Pass the ethics test based on the Ohio Code of Professional Conduct for Court Interpreters.
Take the Interpreter’s Oath to uphold ethical and professional standards.

Ethics resources: Ohio Court Interpreter Ethics

🔁 7. Maintain Certification and Continuing Education

Complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years.
Stay informed about legal terminology, language access standards, and interpreter ethics.

Continuing education details: Interpreter Continuing Education