Become an Interpreter

Knowledge Skills and Abilities Essential for Court Interpreters

Exam Preparation Resources

The first step in preparing to become a court interpreter is to determine what the examination requirements are for your language.

Once you have determined the specific requirements for your language, click here for additional resources to help prepare for the exam.

Spoken Language Court Interpreter Exam Administration in 2011/2012

Scheduling is now open for court interpreter written examinations. We anticipate the administration of oral exams in January 2012.

Please visit Prometric for complete information on test dates, test site locations, and how to register for the exams. 

Computer-Based Written Exams
Prometric is administering the written exams using a professional computer-based exam delivery network. The computer-based exams are offered at 20 different Prometric testing center locations throughout the state of California. Candidates can take the exam by appointment during normal business hours. A hands-on tutorial is provided before the exam is administered so candidates can become familiar with the computerized exam delivery. For more information on the computer-based written exams and scheduling protocols, visit Prometric.

Exam Retake Policy
In accordance with Prometric scheduling protocols, candidates can take the written exam a total of two times in 12 months, with a minimum of 90 days between testing opportunities.

Effective January 1, 2009, candidates who pass the written exam are allowed four attempts to take and pass the bilingual oral interpreting exam for certified languages or the English oral proficiency exam for registered languages. There is no time limit to take or to complete the four attempts. The elimination of the prior time limit is to allow candidates as much time as needed to prepare for each oral exam retake. Candidates may take the oral exam in a particular language once during any exam cycle. Candidates who do not pass the oral exam within four attempts must restart the certification or registration process.

Effective January 1, 2009, those candidates who passed the written exam between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2008 will have a total of four additional opportunities to pass the oral exam, regardless of the number of times they have taken the oral exam prior to January 1, 2009.

Visit Prometric for additional information on the following:

• Examination Schedule
• Registration Information and Forms
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Exam preparation material

American Sign Language

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) is currently the only organization authorized by the Judicial Council to certify interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing. Detailed information on the steps to obtain theSpecialist Certification: Legal (SC:L) is available on the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf website.

Application Requirements:

• Candidates applying for certification in one American Sign Language must pay a fee of $100.
• Candidates must submit one passport-size photo with their application.

The application packet includes complete instructions for submitting required documentation and fees.

Upon submission of the application, your name will be added to the Master List of Certified Court Interpreters of Designated Languages and Registered Interpreters of Nondesignated Languages.

Spoken Languages
To be certified or registered as court interpreter with the Judicial Council of California, applicants must first pass both the written and oral components of the California Court Interpreter Examination.

After passing the examination, candidates will receive an application packet for certification or registration with the Judicial Council of California. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) processes these applications on behalf of the Judicial Council.

American Sign Language
Once you have obtained your Specialist Certification: Legal (SC:L), please contact the Court Interpreters Program to request a registration application packet. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) processes these applications on behalf of the Judicial Council.

Application Requirements:

• Candidates applying for certification in one of the designated languages must pay an annual fee of $100.
• Candidates applying to be registered interpreters of nondesignated languages must pay an annual fee of $100.
• Candidates must submit one passport-size photo with their application.

The application packet includes complete instructions for submitting required documentation and fees.

Upon submission of the application, your name will be added to the Master List of Certified Court Interpreters of Designated Languages and Registered Interpreters of Nondesignated Languages.