Court Interpreters Program (CIP)

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CIP strives to ensure access to the courts for persons with limited English proficiency or those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, by developing programs and practices that enhance the quality of interpretation and increase the availability of qualified interpreters in the courts.

Latest News

October 5, 2016 - LAP Implementation Task Force Seeking Subcommittee Members (Language Access Education and Standards Subcommittee)
The Language Access Education and Standards Subcommittee is seeking one to two certified or registered court interpreters in good standing with the Judicial Council and one to two court staff to serve as ad hoc subcommittee members. For more information regarding requirements read announcement. The deadline to apply is November 18, 2016.

September 6, 2016: Court Interpreters: Annual Renewal and Compliance Deadline is December 31, 2016
All California certified and registered court interpreters are required to submit their annual renewal fee, and if applicable, their completed continuing education and professional assignment forms. Deadline for submission, without penalty is, December 31, 2016. Renewal forms and detailed information was sent via e-mail to all certified and registered interpreters on September 6,2016. For more information and to download the annual renewal packet visit the Annual Renewal and Compliance Period page.

July 12, 2016: On June 24, the Judicial Council approved a pilot project for video remote interpreting to aid limited English proficient court users. The council also approved a number of translation and education products developed by the Language Access Plan Implementation Task Force.  For  information regarding ongoing efforts to provide language access in the California courts, visit the Language Access program page.

July 6, 2016: The suspension of enrollment of American Sign Language (ASL) court interpreter candidates onto the Judicial Council’s Master List has been extended through January 1, 2017. Please check back for updates.

September 11, 2015: Effective September 2015 new enrollment onto the Judicial Council’s Master List is temporarily suspended for American Sign Language (ASL) court interpreter candidates. The anticipated date for resuming the processing of applications is July 1, 2016. Please check back for updates. In separate news, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) has issued a moratorium on interpreter performance exams, effective January 1, 2016. Visit the RID testing moratorium FAQ for more details.


Exam Information

Bilingual Interpreting Exams: Exams are administered two times per calendar year.  The next Bilingual Interpreting Exams will be offered March 21-23, 2017 at testing locations across California, for more information regarding the upcoming exams and to register visit the: Prometric website Bilingual Interpreting Exam section

Candidates preparing for the March 21-23 Oral Bilingual Interpreting Exam should view the video collection “What to Expect on Exam Day.”  Visit the Prometric website for exam details.
For more information, visit the Exam Information page.

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Becoming an Interpreter

Interested in becoming a court interpreter? As a court interpreter, you will play a key role in our trial courts by interpreting for defendants, litigants and witnesses, thereby helping to insure access to justice for thousands of Californians with limited English proficiency. Find more information and resources on how you can become a court interpreter.

Search for an Interpreter

Looking for a certified or registered court interpreter? You can find interpreters here.

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Resources

Prospective Interpreters
Resources for exploring the court interpreting profession and preparing to enter the profession

Current Interpreters
Resources for current court interpreters

Education Providers
Resources for trainers of interpreters

Reports

Court Interpreter Program Related Studies and Reports
The Court Interpreters Program has commissioned various studies and produced reports related to testing and the use of interpreters.

Some of the reports produced or sponsored by CIP include:

  • 2015 Language Need and Interpreter Use Study: Report to the Legislature
  • Trial Court Interpreters Expenditure Report for FY 2014-2015
  • Recommended Guidelines for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for ASL-Interpreted Events
  • California's Assessment of the Consortium for Language Access in the Courts' Exams
  • Study of Court Interpreter Services in Civil Cases in California

View all CIP sponsored reports »

About

Interested in the purpose and function of the Court Interpreters Program or the Court Interpreters Advisory Panel? This section contains background information on the program and the panel. It also answers common questions.

Information related to the Court Interpreters Advisory Panel and the Court Interpreter Program

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VIDEO

"Overview of a Career in Court Interpreting"
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transcript
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