How to Get a Certification in Translation

If you are bilingual and looking to build a career as a professional linguist, earning an official translation certification is the most powerful way to validate your skills, command higher rates, and gain access to premium clients.

In the United States, there is no single, federally mandated license required to be a translator. Instead, certification is granted by recognized professional associations and specific government bodies depending on your niche. Here is a breakdown of the most respected paths to certification.

1. The Gold Standard: ATA Certification

The American Translators Association (ATA) offers the most widely recognized credential for document translators in the US.

• The Exam: The ATA certification exam is a grueling three-hour, open-book, proctored test. You must translate two passages of roughly 225 to 275 words each.
• Prerequisites: As of recent changes, you are no longer required to have formal translation experience or education to sit for the exam, but you must be an ATA member.
• Difficulty: The historical pass rate is under 20%. It requires absolute mastery of target-language grammar, syntax, and phrasing.

2. Legal Interpreting: State and Federal Court Certification

If you want to translate and interpret spoken word in a courtroom setting, you must look to the judicial system.

Federal Court Interpreter Certification: The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts offers certification specifically for Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole. The exam involves both written and oral proficiency tests.

State Court Certification: Most states have their own court interpreter certification programs (often affiliated with the National Center for State Courts or NCSC). You must check with your specific state's Judicial Branch for testing schedules and requirements.

3. Medical Interpreting: CCHI and NBCMI

For those interested in healthcare, there are two primary national certifications:

• CCHI (Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters): Offers the CoreCHI™ and the Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI™) credentials.
• NBCMI (National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters): Offers the Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) credential.

Both require a minimum of 40 hours of formal medical interpreting training and successful completion of rigorous written and oral exams.

Do You Need to Be Certified to Work?

Legally, no. You can work as a freelance translator without a formal certification. For example, if you are providing a "Certified Translation" for a client's USCIS immigration packet, USCIS only requires that a competent bilingual individual signs a Statement of Accuracy.

However, translation agencies, major corporations, and premium direct clients overwhelmingly prefer to hire linguists who possess formal credentials. Earning your ATA or Court Certification is an investment that will dramatically accelerate your career.