This page contains the latest news about the Interpreter Certification Program and official program announcements.
2012 Program Calendar
The 2012 program calendar is now available in the Calendar page. It lists all program events for next year including orientation workshops and written and oral examination dates. Candidates should review the calendar and make plans well in advance for attending and registering for events.
Policy Changes Effective January 1, 2012
- Candidates who score sixty (60) per cent or higher in the simultaneous portion of the oral examination will be allowed to take the sight and consecutive parts of the test. If they score 60% or above in the sight and consecutive parts they will be placed in the roster as qualified interpreters and will be allowed to work in limited types of cases while waiting to retake the tests in order to achieve certification.
- Interpreters who passed a simultaneous oral exam in 2011 must take and pass the consecutive and sight portions of the oral examination within two (2) years after passing the simultaneous test in order to complete their certification process.
- Candidates who passed the written exam in 2011 must take the simultaneous part of the oral exam if a full or abbreviated exam is available in their language and complete all other certification requirements in accordance with program guidelines.
- Interpreters who passed the written exam in 2011 and work in a language for which there is no full or abbreviated oral exam must take an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) no later than six (6) months after passing the written exam and complete all other requirements.
- Interpreters previously included in the roster who failed to comply with oral examination or OPI testing requirements in 2011 will be removed from the roster and must complete all requirements before being eligible for reinstatement to the roster.
- Candidates registered before January 2010 who have failed to comply with program requirements will be categorized as inactive and will have to restart the process if they still wish to become certified. Candidates registered after January 2010 who have complied with all requirements and are making progress towards certification will remain on active status.
- Sign language interpreters must attend an orientation workshop, pass the multiple choice part of the written exam, provide evidence of having a relevant RID certificate for court interpretation as defined by the Court Administrator, and pass a background check before being eligible for placement in the roster.
- Deaf interpreters who pass the CDI written exam in either its written or signed version, have five (5) years to complete their CDI certificate by passing the CDI performance test in accordance with RID requirements.
For a complete description of all certification and program requirements, candidates should read the Certification and Program Description pages.
Skill-Building Seminars
The ICP will sponsor skill-building seminars in 2012 which will provide training on all three modes of interpretation: simultaneous, consecutive and sight in order to help candidates prepare for the oral examinations. They will provide intense practice and exercise sessions and one-on-one observation and evaluation of candidate’s individual skills by the trainers. Seminars are limited to 20 participants per session. Candidates must pass the written examination and be registered for the simultaneous part of the oral exam in order to attend. Other candidates may be invited based on an assessment of their potential as established by test scores and other factors. To determine if you are eligible for these seminars and obtain registration information, please contact the ICP at 215-560-6300, or e-mail us at InterpreterProgram@pacourts.us. Dates and locations will be posted in the Training page once arrangements are finalized.
Administrative Regulations and Guidance
The Supreme Court approved Administrative Regulations for the Interpreter Certification Program effective May 1, 2010. The regulations provide a system for the procurement, appointment and use of interpreters in the courts. At the same time they spell out the certification requirements, disciplinary policy, rules of professional conduct and compensation schedule for interpreters. Guidance for the implementation of the regulations was sent to all judicial districts and is also available on this web site.
Information Update Form
Interpreters are responsible for maintaining their contact and credentials information on file with the ICP up-to-date. A form is available in the registration page for this purpose. Please use the Information Update Form to notify the program of changes of address, phone, e-mail or other contact information, your availability to accept assignments, and any other changes. Go to the registration page for more details.
Registration
Interpreters who want to work in the Pennsylvania courts and administrative hearings conducted by the Commonwealth’s agencies must register with the ICP and be certified or otherwise qualified. Candidates may register at any time and there is no registration fee. For more information and to download a registration form, go to the Registration page.