High demand for Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Vietnamese in legal proceedings

Nevada courts are facing an urgent shortage of certified court interpreters, as demand for language access in the state’s legal system continues to grow. In 2024 alone, more than 3,100 court cases required the support of interpreters to help participants navigate legal proceedings, according to a recent statement from the Supreme Court of Nevada.

The state is calling on bilingual residents to consider joining the judicial system as certified court interpreters. Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Vietnamese were the most requested languages last year, yet Nevada currently counts only 79 certified Spanish-language interpreters statewide.

“Court interpreters make the justice system accessible for thousands of Nevadans,” said Amanda Walker, Language Access Program administrator. “We’re asking bilingual residents to be part of this essential public service.”

Fall 2025 exam registration now open

Registration is now open for the Fall 2025 Certified Court Interpreter Exam. Candidates must register by September 22 to participate in the written portion of the exam on October 20. Oral exams will be held in Las Vegas (Nov. 3–7) and Carson City (Nov. 10 and 12), while written exams are scheduled for Nov. 7 in Las Vegas and Nov. 10 in Carson City.

A self-assessment tool is available online to help prospective applicants evaluate their readiness before registering.

Required training and certification process

To become a certified interpreter in Nevada, candidates must complete a Written Orientation Workshop, which will be offered online starting in mid-July. This workshop provides an introduction to Nevada’s court system, interpreting standards, and interpreter ethics.

Applicants must also pass a written exam consisting of 135 multiple-choice questions covering language proficiency, legal terminology, and professional conduct. A minimum score of 80% is required to advance.

Licensed interpreters from other states may also qualify for certification in Nevada, subject to eligibility.

More information and registration details are available through the Nevada Supreme Court’s Language Access Program website.