Standing Committee on Court Interpreters

As the first step in the certification process, prospective interpreters must complete the Committee’s 16-hours Orientation Workshop. The cost of the orientation workshop is $200. The online session includes training on interpretation modes, courtroom procedures, legal processes, and interpreter’s ethics. Federal or State Certified interpreters serve as workshop instructors for each session and provide candidates with additional study and professional development resources. Interpreters also receive detailed information on the language proficiency examinations’ content and composition during the Orientation Training Session. PLEASE NOTE: An applicant has two (2) years to complete the licensing and certification process after completing the 16-hour orientation workshop. If the applicant does not complete the program requirements within two (2) years, the applicant must re-start the certification process by retaking the written exam.

This multiple-choice exam includes sections on ethics, legal process, terminology, English grammar, idioms, synonyms, and antonyms. Candidates must be well-versed in the English language and must score 80% or higher to pass the exam. Any persons registering for the written English exam must have completed the orientation session. The cost of the English written exam is $50.

Oral Certification Exam. Candidates must pass all three parts of the oral exam in one sitting to meet licensure requirements. The Committee recognizes and will grant reciprocity to any candidate seeking licensure if the said candidate took and passed the federal certification exam or the oral certification exam offered in a state that is an active member of the National Center for State Courts, Council of Language Access Coordinators (NCSC-CLAC). For this to occur, the issuing State must have administered the oral certification exam as prescribed by CLAC and taken in one sitting. The cost of the Oral Certification Exam is $250.

Oral Proficiency Interview. The Oral Proficiency Interview is only required if the candidate interpreter wishes to become licensed in a language that does not have a certification exam offered by CLAC. The OPI is a set of telephonic interviews, which generally occur at the Administrative Office of the Courts. The interviews are conducted through a vendor and last approximately 25 minutes each. Candidates are tested in both English and the language in which they wish to become licensed. The exam is designed to evaluate the candidate’s ability, level of knowledge of English and the target language, and education in the language they seek licensure. Candidates must achieve a language scale score of “Superior” in both English and the language for which they want to interpret (target language). Please contact the Committee’s office to determine if you must take this exam. The cost of the OPI is $143. Confirmed candidates will be notified of the date and exact location of the exam. Please keep in mind that Language Testing International conducts exams for various agencies. They have no information as to the purpose of or eligibility of those applying to the test.

For more information, please contact ACTFL-OPI at (800) 486-8444, or visit their WEBSITE.

Please note: The Committee requires the OPI only for languages without a CLAC oral certification exam.

If you are a Conditionally Licensed Legal Interpreter, Licensed Legal Interpreter, or an Apprentice Interpreter, you must complete 20 hours of court observations. Of these, at least 10 hours must be signed off by a Master Licensed Legal Interpreter or a Licensed Legal Interpreter. All candidates are required to log their court observation hours using the Court Observation Form provided by the Committee. Once completed, the form must be uploaded directly to the candidate’s Georgia Courts Registrar profile.

Upon receiving passing scores for the oral certification examination or oral proficiency interviews, candidates must apply for a license to become certified, conditionally approved, or a registered interpreter. The license application is accessible through your Georgia Courts Registrar profile. The application process requires submitting a license application, affidavit of legal presence, background check authorization form, and the application fee of $125. Prospective interpreters must pass the criminal background investigation outlined in Step 6.

Candidates must demonstrate good moral character by satisfying the Committee’s fitness requirement. The Committee investigates the candidate’s criminal background history to determine if a candidate is fit to become a licensed interpreter. The Committee determines if an individual is of good moral character if they have not committed or have a conviction for:

All candidates must pass a criminal background history check. If, after reviewing the candidate’s background check, the Committee or its staff determines that the individual does not have good character, the Committee shall have the authority to deny a license or certification, suspend or revoke a license or certification, or to impose discipline.

The Committee will issue a license to practice the profession of Court Interpreting to all candidates who complete and pass all licensing requirements. The Committee adds the newly-licensed interpreter’s contact information in its registry. The Committee requires that any individual who holds an interpreter license must renew the said license every year. Court interpreters must take the Interpreter’s Oath and agree to abide by the Code of Professional Responsibility for Court Interpreters.