How to Become a Washington Court Interpreter

To become a court interpreter in Washington State, you must obtain certification or registration through the Washington State Court Interpreter Program. The process involves several steps to ensure interpreters are qualified to provide accurate and ethical language services in legal settings.

Steps to Become a Certified Court Interpreter:

  1. Pass a Written Exam: This exam assesses your English proficiency, legal terminology knowledge, and understanding of interpreter ethics.

  2. Attend an Orientation Class: A mandatory session that provides foundational information about court interpreting techniques and the role of interpreters in the judicial system.

  3. Pass an Oral Exam: This evaluation tests your interpreting skills in three modes:

    • Simultaneous Interpreting: Interpreting in real-time while someone is speaking.
    • Consecutive Interpreting: Interpreting after a speaker has finished a sentence or phrase.
    • Sight Translation: Translating written documents aloud on the spot.

  4. Complete an Ethics and Protocol Class: A course focusing on the ethical responsibilities and courtroom protocols essential for interpreters.

  5. Undergo a Criminal Background Check: Ensures the integrity and trustworthiness of interpreters working within the legal system.

  6. Take the Interpreter Oath: A formal commitment to uphold the standards and ethics of court interpreting.

For languages that do not have a certification exam available, interpreters can pursue a "Registered" status. This process includes passing a language proficiency interview instead of the oral interpreting exam.

For detailed information and resources, visit the Washington State Courts' Interpreter Program website. https://www.courts.wa.gov

By completing these steps, you can become a qualified court interpreter in Washington State, providing essential language services to ensure fair and accurate legal proceedings.

 

Training Opportunities:

To enhance your interpreting skills, consider enrolling in Interpretrain (www.interpretrain.com). This online school provides specialized training for court interpreters, covering note-taking techniques, ethics, legal terminology, and the 3 interpreting modes. Their courses and practice materials help candidates prepare for certification exams and improve real-world interpreting proficiency. Free training resources are also available. 

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