Category Archives: Blog

An interpreter certification can mean different things to different people. To some, it can mean a certified interpreter and to others it can mean a licensed interpreter. A certified interpreter is someone who has completed interpreter training and knows enough about interpreting to find some work. A licensed interpreter is someone who holds an official interpreting license, that can only be issued by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI). The tricky thing here is that some people who aren't as familiar with interpreting might not know enough about the interpreting certification process, so you have to be very clear about your qualifications. The thing to remember is: all licensed interpreters are certified interpreters... but certified interpreters are not officially licensed until they take the exam. Similar to how doctors must hold a valid license to work in a hospital as a doctor, you must hold an interpreters license to work for the government or to hold an official position. The interpreter licensing exam is a standardized test and you must prove that you have studied enough hours- with an interpreter certification- and practiced interpreting sufficiently just to sign up for the licensing exam. The distinction between a certified and licensed interpreter may seem trivial at first, but it is a very important one to make. Not only can you earn more as a licensed interpreter, but you can also find more work with an interpreter license. The thing is: you must become certified before getting licensed, and there is no way around that.