Frequently Asked Questions About Certification

What does "voluntary" certification mean?
In Virginia, all courts are encouraged to utilize certified interpreters first since they have proven their competency and skill level. However, there is no statutory requirement that only certified interpreters be used for the provision of language interpretation and translation services in courts. The judge is the final arbiter of every interpreter's qualifications.
What if I have completed the orientation training but not passed the written exam?
Candidates who have not passed the written exam must complete and pass the written exam before being eligible to take the oral exam. A candidate may not take the written exam more than once per year.
What if I pass the written exam and complete the orientation training session but decide not to take the oral exam?
Candidates are not required to sit for the oral exam if, after completing the training and passing the written test, they decide not to continue the certification process.
I previously completed orientation training but have never taken the oral exam. Am I required to take the written test before scheduling an oral exam time slot?
The Office of the Executive Secretary will only accept orientation training or written exam scores that are a maximum of three years old.
I previously completed orientation training and failed the oral test. Am I required to attend the training again? Am I required to take the written test before re-scheduling an oral exam time slot?
The Office of the Executive Secretary will accept orientation training or written exam scores that are a maximum of three years old. A candidate may not take any portion of an exam more than once per year.
I completed orientation training and passed the written exam in another state, can I register for the oral exam in Virginia without taking the orientation training and written exam again?
The Commonwealth of Virginia does accept segments of the certification process from other states or the federal certification program. Virginia will also accept full certification from other states and the federal court system. Please contact the Department of Judicial Services, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia at 804/371-9241 to determine qualification status.
What is the State Court Interpreter Certification Consortium and what other types of foreign language interpreter certification does Virginia accept?
The Judicial Council of Virginia considers presumptively eligible any person who has successfully completed the full requirements for federal court certification or certification by a state judicial system participating in the State Court Interpreter Certification Consortium administered by the National Center for State Courts. Please visit the Consortium's website at www.ncsconline.org for additional information. Eligible persons who provide required documentation may be added to Virginia's list of certified Arabic, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese language interpreters.

If an individual falls into this category, please contact the Department of Judicial Services, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia at 804/371-9241 to initiate the required paperwork for addition to Virginia's certified interpreter list.

After the written exam, how do I register for my orientation training session?
The written exam and orentation are held simultaneously. To be eligible for the oral exam, candidates must attend the two-day orientation session in the past three (3) years, and they must pass the written test. Candidates will be notified of the results of the written test soon after the conclusion of the testing session. Candidates who score a minimum of 80% on Part 1 and "Pass" on Part 2 are eligible to proceed to the orientation training. Those candidates who are then eligible to proceed to the orientation training will be provided with registration materials.
After the orientation training, how do I schedule my oral exam time slot?
Candidates will schedule oral exam time slots by signing up at the end of the 2-day orientation training or telephoning the Department of Judicial Services, Office of the Executive Secretary at 804/371-9241.
If I took the written exam or oral exam and passed some parts, but did not pass one of the sections, when can I retake it?
The Supreme Court of Virginia has set up the policy that the written exam and oral exam cannot be taken in sections, but only as a whole.
I am interested in earning certification in a language other than Arabic, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese. Does Virginia certify foreign language interpreters in any other languages?
At the present time, Virginia offers interpreter certification in the Arabic, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese languages only. Orientation training is now available to interpreters in all languages.
If I passed one portion of the written test do I have to retake both sections?
Yes. The Supreme Court of Virginia does not accept partial scores from one testing segment.
If I took the oral exam but did not pass one or more of the sections do have I have to retake the entire oral exam?
Yes. The Supreme Court of Virginia does not offer sections of the oral exam.
I am interested in earning federal certification. How do I become a federally certified foreign language interpreter?
Candidates looking to become federally certified will need to contact the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts at (916)263-3494. Information is also available on their Web site at http://www.ncsconline.org/d_research/Consort-interp/fcice_exam/index.htm.
How are foreign language interpreters appointed to work in Virginia?
Although the Judicial Council of Virginia encourages all of the state's courts to utilize certified interpreters (where available) since they will have proven their competency and skill level, there is no requirement that only certified interpreters be used for the provision of language interpretation and/or translation services in Virginia's courts. By statute (Va. Code §§ 19.2-164 and 8.01-384.1:1), the judge is the final arbiter of any interpreter's qualifications. The certified foreign language interpreter list is public information and is intended for use as a resource which courts and others may use to contact certified Arabic, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters directly and to arrange for their services as needed. Changes to this list are only accepted by US Postal Service correspondence bearing the original signature of the interpreter.

Also set by the above-referenced statutes, compensation rates for an interpreter appointed by the court are fixed by the court. Achieving certification does not qualify or entitle an interpreter to any amount other than that set by and/or approved by the court.
Whom do I call if I have additional question(s) not answered in this Notice?
Please direct any questions regarding certification to the Department of Judicial Services, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia at 804/371-9241.

This page last modified: January 17, 2008