Qualifications to Become a Court Interpreter

The Nebraska Supreme Court requires that individuals who interpret for the court be the most qualified interpreters available. In order to assure this, the court offers a certification program which tests the interpreter’s ability to provide sight, consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, all of which may be needed to assist a limited-English-proficient individual who finds him or herself before a Nebraska court.

To determine the qualifications of its interpreters, Nebraska has joined 39 other states in the Consortium for State Court Interpreter Certification. Through the tests and training materials available through the Consortium, the Administrative Office of the Courts offers certification in Arabic, Cantonese, French, Haitian-Creole, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese. Certification as a court interpreter by another Consortium state is recognized in Nebraska, and Nebraska Certification may be recognized in other Consortium states as well.

In order to receive certification as a Nebraska Court Interpreter, an individual must complete the following steps:

1. Attend a 2-day interpreter orientation. This provides an introduction to the courts, ethics, vocabulary, talents and skills needed to pass the certification oral examination and assume the responsibilities of a court interpreter.
2. Pass a written English comprehension exam.
3. Pass an oral examination of the interpreter’s sight, consecutive and simultaneous interpreting skills.

If interested, be sure to check out the training and testing schedules.

If you are interested in becoming a certified court interpreter, please send your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and any questions you may have to Sheryl Connolly.