Court Interpreters Program (CIP)
CIP strives to ensure access to the courts for persons with limited English proficiency or those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, by developing programs and practices that enhance the quality of interpretation and increase the availability of qualified interpreters in the courts.
Latest News
January 26, 2019
Court Interpreter Training Opportunity - Riverside County Hall of Justice Courthouse
This training series is designed for court interpreters who are already working in the courts and individuals who would like to pursue a career in court interpreting. Cost: Maximum of $25 per registrant. The deadline to register is January 21, 2019. Register
September 16, 2018
Report on California Courts’ Need for More Interpreters
California Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, chair of the Judicial Council’s Language Access Plan Implementation Task Force, talks about the need to provide access to all court users, no matter what language they speak and career opportunities for court interpreters.
- KCBS Audio: Part 1, Part 2
- KFBK Audio
Exam Information
Bilingual Interpreting Exams: Exams are administered two times per calendar year. The next Bilingual Interpreting Exams will be offered March 19-21, 2019 at testing locations across California, for more information regarding the upcoming exams and to register visit thePrometric website Bilingual Interpreting Exam section
Candidates preparing for the March 19-21, 2019 Oral Bilingual Interpreting Exam should view the video collection “What to Expect on Exam Day.” Visit the Prometric website for exam details.
For more information, visit the Exam Information page.
Becoming an Interpreter
Interested in becoming a court interpreter? As a court interpreter, you will play a key role in our trial courts by interpreting for defendants, litigants and witnesses, thereby helping to insure access to justice for thousands of Californians with limited English proficiency. Find more information and resources on how you can become a court interpreter.
Resources
Prospective Interpreters
Resources for exploring the court interpreting profession and preparing to enter the profession
Current Interpreters
Resources for current court interpreters
Education Providers
Resources for trainers of interpreters
Reports
Court Interpreter Program Related Studies and Reports
The Court Interpreters Program has commissioned various studies and produced reports related to testing and the use of interpreters.
Some of the reports produced or sponsored by CIP include:
- 2015 Language Need and Interpreter Use Study: Report to the Legislature
- Trial Court Interpreters Expenditure Report for FY 2016-2017
- Recommended Guidelines for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for ASL-Interpreted Events
- California's Assessment of the Consortium for Language Access in the Courts' Exams
- Study of Court Interpreter Services in Civil Cases in California
About
Interested in the purpose and function of the Court Interpreters Program or the Court Interpreters Advisory Panel? This section contains background information on the program and the panel. It also answers common questions.
Information related to the Court Interpreters Advisory Panel and the Court Interpreter Program
Video
"Overview of a Career in Court Interpreting"
3:05
transcript