All candidates must attend a two-day orientation workshop sponsored by the Interpreter Certification Program (ICP). The workshops are offered in locations throughout the state. Dates and locations are posted on this page as they are scheduled. Candidates must register for these workshops by completing the registration form on this page. Topics covered in the workshops include interpreting as a profession, a description of the state’s judicial system, ethics and professional development, interpreting skills and the modes of interpretation, and preparing for the written and oral examinations. Candidates will receive training materials, information about resources, legal glossaries and study tips. The workshops are taught by qualified professional trainers who are federally and RID certified interpreters and possess vast expertise in the field of legal interpreting. Participants must attend both full days of the workshop in order to complete the requirement. Workshops are open to a limited number of attendees.

2012 Orientation Workshops

Date	Location	Deadline	Open To	Requirement
March 10-11	PHI	February 22, 2012	Foreign Lang. Int.	Register w/ program
June 2-3	PIT	May 16, 2012	ASL & Foreign Int.	Register w/ program
August 4-5	HAR	July 18, 2012	Foreign Lang. Int.	Register w/ program
October 6-7	PHI	September 19, 2012	ASL & Foreign Int.	Register w/ program

Sessions start at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. each day. Workshops are limited to a maximum of fifty (50) attendees. Therefore, it is very important that candidates send their registration form as soon as possible in order to have a better chance of obtaining a spot. Places will be assigned in the order in which they are received. Registrations must be accompanied by full payment. Participants must attend both full days of the workshop in order to complete the requirement. Sign language interpreters may only attend the June or October workshops.

Registration form

Please complete and mail the Orientation Registration Form as soon as possible to the address listed in the form and indicate your preferred date(s). Select your date(s) in order of preference. It is very important that candidates send their registration form as early as possible in order to have a better chance of being assigned to their first choice. The ICP will attempt to accommodate your preference based on the order in which it is received and on whether it is complete, including payment. However, the ICP cannot guarantee that it will be able to accommodate your first choice and assumes that you will be available to attend your second choice if you indicate one.

Orientation fee

The fee for the two-day orientation workshop, including all materials is $150 for Pennsylvania residents and $175 for non-residents. Payment must be included with the registration form and can be made by money order or personal check written to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Registration forms will not be processed without receipt of the orientation fee. A $25 fee will be assessed for all returned checks. Registrations canceled before the confirmation letter is mailed out will be entitled to receive a full refund. Once the confirmation letter is mailed out, there will be no refunds. Also, there will be no refunds for candidates who fail to attend the first day of the workshop.

Closing date

The completed form and payment must be received by 5 p.m. on the registration deadline of the workshop you list as your first choice. No registrations will be accepted after the deadline. Closing dates will be strictly enforced.

What happens after I register?

Upon receipt of the registration form candidates will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt. After registration closes, candidates will receive a confirmation letter with the location and directions to the orientation site and any other pertinent information. All arrangements will be at candidate’s expense.

Identification

When registering on the first day of the workshop, candidates must bring with them their confirmation letter and a valid government issued picture identification form (driver’s license, official state picture ID, or passport).

Accommodation

If you require special accommodation because of a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to attend the orientation workshop, please print and complete the Request for Accommodation and Document of Accommodation forms and mail them along with your registration form. Every effort will be made to accommodate reasonable requests.

RID CEUs for Sign Language Interpreters

In partnership with PARID the ICP is offering RID CMP credits to sign language and deaf interpreters participating in the orientation workshop. PARID is approved by the RID CMP to sponsor continuing education activities. This program is offered for 1.5 CEUs in the Content Area of Professional Studies. Participants should have some basic knowledge of the topic. In order to qualify for CEUs interpreters must attend both full days.

Note: All events are subject to change, rescheduling and cancellation. Changes will be posted on this website when necessary. It is the interpreter’s responsibility to keep informed about program events.