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

2019 Annual Renewal and Compliance Period

The launch of the 2019 Annual Renewal and Compliance Period for certified court and registered interpreters continues to be delayed as we work to internally implement changes that the Court Interpreters Advisory Panel recently made to the Compliance Requirements for Certified Court and Registered Interpreters. One of these changes is no longer requiring interpreters to submit copies of their paperwork to show that they have met their continuing education and professional assignments requirements. Beginning this compliance period, interpreters will only need to attest to completion of these requirements on a brief form. A detailed explanation of the changes to the requirements and a link to the updated requirements will be included in the communications to the interpreters and the courts when the compliance period is launched. The Court Interpreters Program will adjust all deadlines to allow interpreters sufficient time to fulfill their requirements.

For those interpreters whose current status of being in compliance is set to expire on December 31, 2019, please note that you will remain on the Master List unless you do not meet the new deadlines for the upcoming compliance period. Our office has conveyed this information to the courts.

We understand that some interpreters would like to pay their annual renewal fee before the launch of compliance because of various reasons (e.g., travelling outside of the country for the holidays). Please note that your annual renewal fee is not due at this time. However, if you would like to pay it now, please follow the instructions in the e-mail that was sent on December 5, 2019 to all interpreters who provided our office with their e-mail address.

The Court Interpreters Program will contact interpreters and the courts by e-mail once compliance has been launched. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at courtinterpreters@jud.ca.gov.

Effective January 1, 2020 – California Court Interpreter Credential Review Procedures

The Judicial Council of California adopted the California Court Interpreter Credential Review Procedures on September 24, 2019, which provide guidelines for filing a complaint alleging professional misconduct or malfeasance regarding a California certified or registered interpreter.  The complaint form and more information will be posted closer to the effective date. 

Sacramento radio KFBK interviews with Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Part I and Part II: