Certified translator in the US?

In the US, there is not currently a certification required to be a translator or interpreter.

In the US, a translator does not need to be “certified” in order to provide a “certified translation.

If you want a certified translation, you can get your statement translated and signed by a translator and see a Notary Public to notarize it.

Many translators and interpreters start their business by submitting their resumes and sample of their work to several employment agencies, marketing their business in different ways in order to be known and to build a list of clients. Some translators have degree in foreign languages, some have certification, others have overseas work experiences ... Translators and interpreters have different backgrounds, different experiences, different paths ...

In America, contrary to some other countries, you don't have to be certified in order to be a translator and an interpreter. There are many excellent, experienced translators who are not accredited or certified.

There are different tests that translator/interpreters can take in order to prove proficiency.

- The American Translators Association provides certification in more that 24 language combination for its members.

Federal courts have certification for Spanish, Navajo and Haitian Creole. Many states and courts offer their own form of certification.

- NAJIT was founded, its mission has been to be a leader in promoting quality interpretation and translation services in the judicial system.

- California Court Interpreters Program: California court interpreters have an important job in the courtroom: they interpret court proceedings for witnesses and defendants with limited English skills.

- State of Oregon: Certification For Court Interpreters.

- State of Texas: The Licensed Court Interpreters program licenses, tests, and regulates those individuals who provide interpretations in a court room for individuals who do not speak English.

- Washington State Court Certification Program

- Federal Court Interpreter Certification

- The National Association of the Deaf and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)

Washington State DSHS Language Testing and Certification (LTC)

The tests developed by LTC aim to measure both language proficiency in English and a second language and interpreting/translation skills. DSHS language certification is currently available in eight languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Cambodian, Laotian, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese, and Korean. Qualification screening tests are also available in all other languages.