In the interpreting profession, certification isn’t just a formality — it’s the foundation of legitimacy. The goal of certification is to not only open doors and protect rights, but also equip interpreters for the complexity and responsibility of their role.

In the United States (US), civil rights and language access laws* require federally funded institutions to provide interpreting services from qualified interpreters, encouraging strict standards and rigorous vetting processes — without which many operations would drastically stall or become legally noncompliant. The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights and the National Center for State Courts both emphasize that “qualified” means trained, tested, and vetted — not just fluent. Agencies can face legal consequences if they use unqualified interpreters. 

Registries of certified interpreters are used to ensure that interpreters meet minimum standards and to maintain public safety and the legal rights of customers. Additionally, they help agencies and individuals find qualified interpreters who are already licensed and vetted, saving valuable time and resources for the consumer. 

Registry History and Structure

In 1964, Ball State College in Muncie, Indiana, was the first to formalize interpreter qualifications in the US when it established the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). Lou Fant, who is widely known for turning American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting into a certified profession, and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) were key figures in the development of the RID. Upon the success of the RID Pilot Program, states began developing their own systems for interpreter certification based on factors like demographic needs and legal statutes.

Unlike countries such as Slovakia, Canada, and Australia, the US does not have a national interpreter registry and instead relies upon each state to set its own standards and regulations. Every state is responsible for designating its own regulatory body or agency to oversee interpreter licensure, registration, and compliance. Therefore, each state’s requirements are different, especially for interpreting in legal, medical, and educational settings. 

Despite differences in each state, generally, the following structure is true:

• The state judiciary or administrative office of the courts oversees court interpreters,
• The state health departments or hospital credentialing boards oversee medical interpreters,
• The state education agencies (SEAs) and similar licensing boards are responsible for educational interpreters, and
• The state Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing oversees ASL interpreters.

Becoming a Certified Interpreter in the US

The steps toward becoming a state-certified interpreter generally look like this:

1. Understand the legal framework for your specific state of residence.
2. Check state-specific credentials that are required based on your specific target sector.
3. Get certified or registered. 
4. Apply to be a vendor or contractor.
5. Maintain compliance.

The general timeline for acquiring state-level interpreting credentials can take anywhere from a few months to several years depending on one’s starting point in education and language proficiency. Overall costs can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand depending on the desired state and specialized industry. The majority of state interpreting certifications are valid for four years, paired with ongoing continuous education requirements (CEUs).

*Such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1965, and section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act