Learn How to Become a Certified Court Interpreter in Virginia

To become a certified court interpreter in Virginia, candidates complete a process designed to promote proficiency and professionalism. The steps are as follows:

  1. Complete Mandatory Webinars: Begin by participating in the required introductory webinars provided by the Virginia Judicial System. These sessions offer foundational knowledge essential for court interpreters. 

  2. Pass Oral Proficiency Interviews (OPIs): Demonstrate your language proficiency by successfully completing OPIs in both English and your target language. These interviews assess your fluency and command of each language.

  3. Pass the Written Examination: After completing the webinars and OPIs, register for the written exam. This test evaluates your knowledge of English, court-related terminology, and ethical standards. A minimum score of 80% is required to pass.

  4. Attend a Two-Day Interpreter Orientation: Upon passing the written exam, attend a comprehensive two-day orientation. This program delves deeper into court procedures, interpreter ethics, and best practices.

  5. Pass the Oral Examination: The final assessment is an oral exam that measures your interpreting skills in various modes, including simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation. A score of at least 70% in each section is necessary to achieve certification. 

  6. Sign the Interpreter’s Oath: After successfully completing all examinations and orientations, you must sign an official oath affirming your commitment to uphold the ethical standards and responsibilities of a court interpreter.

  Resources Offered by Interpretrain  to Help You Prepare for the Exams

  1. Free Written Exam Training
  2. Court Interpreter Oral Exam Skill Development Training

For more details on the Virginia court interpreter certification process and testing dates, visit their information page here.

Back to USEFUL TIPS FOR INTERPRETERS