Interpreter certification
Which certification fits the work you want, what each one takes, and how to keep it.
Where to start
Medical interpreting
Certify with CCHI or NBCMI. Both ask for 40 hours of training first.
Court interpreting
Certify with your state's court program. Federal court certification exists for Spanish.
Phone and video agency work
Most agencies ask for a language test and training. Medical certification helps for healthcare calls.
Medical interpreter certification
The two national programs in the U.S.
CCHI: CHI
For Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin. A knowledge exam, then an interpreting exam within 12 months. $533 standard initial fees ($40 application + $191 CoreCHI + $302 CHI or ETOE). Renew every four years.
CCHI: CoreCHI-P
For every other language. A knowledge exam, then a performance exam in English. Renew every four years. CCHI stops awarding the older CoreCHI on January 1, 2027.
NBCMI: CMI
For Spanish, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian and Vietnamese. A written exam, then an oral exam. $530 standard initial fees ($40 registration + $190 written + $300 oral). Renew every five years.
NBCMI: Hub-CMI
For any language. A written exam in English. $230 standard initial fees ($40 registration + $190 written). If your language has a CMI exam, you have two years to earn the CMI.
What both ask for
You're 18 or older, finished high school, took at least 40 hours of medical interpreter training, and can show you're fluent in both languages.
Spanish interpreter certification
Medical
CCHI's CHI-Spanish or NBCMI's CMI-Spanish. Both test your interpreting in Spanish, not just your knowledge.
State court
California, Texas and Florida all test Spanish, and so do most other state programs.
Federal court
The FCICE is offered for Spanish only. The next exams are in 2027.
California court interpreter certification
Credentials
Certified, for the 12 languages with an interpreting exam, including Spanish. Registered, for every other language.
Steps to certify
Pass the written exam ($150, 80% to pass), then the four-part Bilingual Interpreting Exam ($380, 70% on each part in one sitting). Then enroll with the Judicial Council.
Registered languages
Pass the written exam and oral proficiency exams in English and, if one exists, your other language.
Keeping it
$100 a year, plus 30 hours of continuing education and 40 interpreting assignments every two years. New interpreters take an ethics workshop in their first two years.
Rules and fees change. Check the California program before you apply.
Texas court interpreter certification
Credential
Licensed court interpreter, with an endorsement for each language. Basic lets you work in justice and some municipal courts. Master lets you work in every court.
Steps
Take a six-hour orientation course, pass the written exam ($100, 80% to pass), then the oral exam ($300) in sight, consecutive and simultaneous. Pass a background check and apply ($200).
Basic or Master
Your oral exam score decides it: 60% on each part for Basic, 70% for Master.
Keeping it
Renew every two years ($200) with 16 hours of continuing education, including 4 hours of ethics, and a new background check.
Rules and fees change. Check the Texas program before you apply.
Florida court interpreter certification
Credentials
Certified, the top level. Language skilled, for languages with no state exam. Provisionally approved, for a lower passing score, good for two years.
Steps
Go to a two-day orientation, pass a written exam with an ethics section, observe 20 hours in court, take an oath and pass a background check. Then take the oral exam within your first year.
Shortcut
If you hold federal court certification, you can skip Florida's oral exam.
Keeping it
Renew every two years with 16 continuing education credits and 20 court assignments, or at least 40 hours of them.
Rules and fees change. Check the Florida program before you apply.
Federal court interpreters
Federal courts sort interpreters into three groups.
Certified
You passed the federal exam (FCICE). It's offered for Spanish and English only. The next written and oral exams are in 2027, with registration dates announced in late December 2026. You must pass the written exam first.
Professionally qualified
For other languages. You show one approved credential, such as a passed state court oral exam or a State Department or United Nations interpreter test.
Language skilled
You show the court you can interpret its proceedings. Paid less than the other two.
Read next
Common questions
Which medical interpreter certification is better, CCHI or NBCMI?
Neither is better everywhere. Pick the one that tests your language and that your employers accept. For Spanish, both have an interpreting exam.
How do I get certified as a Spanish interpreter?
For medical work, take CCHI's CHI-Spanish or NBCMI's CMI-Spanish after 40 hours of training. For court work, take your state's court exams, or the federal FCICE, which is offered for Spanish only.
Do I need certification to work as an interpreter?
Not always. Many phone and video agencies hire with a language test and training. Courts usually require their own credential, and some hospitals require medical certification.
How long does court interpreter certification take?
Usually months, sometimes longer. Each state sets its own exam dates, and many people need more than one try at the oral exam.
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