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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CERTIFIED LINGUIST?

TRUST ME, I'M A CERTIFIED
INTERPRETER!

(ORAL)

TRUST ME, I'M A CERTIFIED

TRANSLATOR!

(WRITTEN)

WHAT THIS MEANS

   Certification documentation should indicate:
 

  • The certifying assessment body (NCSC, NAJIT, FCIP, ILR), any subject area of expertise (e.g. medical, conference or court/legal), the proficiency level and specific language combination(s) assessed (e.g. Spanish/English).
     

  • Interpreter scored passing marks on assessments in speaking, listening, and/or interpretation 
    performance in the target language(s) and English.
     

  • Interpreter maintains valid certification through continued education credits.
     

  • Interpreter completed a requisite number of hours interpreting.  

WHAT THIS MEANS

:Certification documentation should indicate
​

  • The certifying assessment body (NCSC, NAJIT, FCIP, ILR), any subject area of expertise (e.g. medical, conference or court/legal), the proficiency level (e.g. master, novice, or score indicating proficiency) and specific language combination(s) assessed by translation testing and the direction of translation (e.g. Spanish > English, English > Spanish).
     

  • Translator scored passing marks on assessments 
    in reading, writing, and/or translation performance
    in the target language(s)     and English.
     

  • Translator maintains valid certification through 
    continued education credits.
     

  • Translator demonstrated mastery of English grammar and usage in addition to grammar and usage in the target language.  

BEWARE - NOT ALL CERTIFICATIONS ARE THE SAME.
IF YOU DON'T ASK FOR "CERTIFIED" IT COULD MEAN... 

  • The linguist received certification years earlier, and has not maintained the certification of their language skills.
     

  • The linguist is a practicing interpreter or translator, but may only certified in one skill (e.g. translation but not interpretation).
     

  • The linguist is certified in one field (e.g. medical), but is not certified to provide language services in the field requested (e.g. legal).
     

  • The linguist is "registered," "qualified," or "licensed," but though a less rigorous process.
     

  • The translator is certified in only one language direction (Spanish > English), and is not certified to translate into the other (English >Spanish).
     

  • The linguist received certification, without training or prior experience, from an online open-book exam or other unsuitable assessment.
     

  • The linguist received an inadequate certification that did not assess the necessary skills (e.g. the "certified translator" was assessed in reading only) .    

​QUESTIONS TO ASK A
CERTIFIED LINGUIST

 

  • Are you a certified translator? Interpreter? Or both?
     

  • What did your certification process entail?
     

  • Which certifying authority or organization granted the certification?
     

  • In which language(s) or language combination?
     

  • How much experience do you have interpreting/translating?
     

  • Are you required to maintain your certification with experience or continuing education?
     

  • What is your certification number?

 

​QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
LANGUAGE SERVICES VENDOR

 

  • What baseline qualifications do you require your linguist to have?
     

  • How often do you assess your linguist or vet their work?
     

  • How do you determine whether a linguist is 
    qualified for a job?
     

  • Do you keep records of client complaints?
     

  • How do you verify that your linguists have and maintain their certification?
     

  • What remedy do you offer clients if a linguist
    makes an error?
     

  • What happens if a linguist has made substantial errors?

 

​

WHY USE CERTIFIED?

​

To protect you, your medical practice and your patients...


Please remember if you contract with a non-certified interpreter or provisionally certify an interpreter for an assignment, you will not be able to verify the interpreter's skill level, which may jeopardize the quality of your administrative hearing or medical proceeding.

​

SECTION SB-1160 Workers' compensation, Sec 12, Section 5811 of the Labor Code taking effect January 1, 2018 requires that all Medical Interpreters be certified by either:

 

  • The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)

  • The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)

  • The State of California (CalHr) 

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