ABOUT THE COURT INTERPRETER WORKSHOP:

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• This workshop satisfies STEP 1 of the TN Court Interpreter Certification process. You cannot proceed with the certification process without it.

 

• The workshop is divided in 4 classes that are 3.5 hours long each. The classes will take place online, via Zoom, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ex: if you sign up for the January workshop, your first class will be Tuesday January 17th at 5:pm Central. You MUST attend all four classes in order to receive your certificate of completion:

  • Tuesday of week 1 - 5:30-9:00 pm

  • Thursday of week 1 - 5:30-9:00 pm

  • Tuesday, of week 2 - 5:30-9:00 pm

  • Thursday, of week - 5:30-9:00 pm

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 There will also be required homework activities (approximately 5 weekly hours total)

 

• To become a certified interpreter, you must be 18 years of age or older, be a US citizen or have proof of work eligibility in the United States. For more information, you can go to: https://tncourts.gov/programs/court-interpreters/become-interpreter

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WHAT ARE THE STEPS TOWARDS CERTIFICATION?

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1) 14 Hr. Court Interpreter Workshop Approved by the Administrative Office of the Cours (this step)

2) Written Exam

3) Oral Proficiency Interview ( This is a simple phone conversation to determine your language proficiency in your language pair. This is NOT the final oral exam)

          *The order of steps 2 and 3 is interchengeable

4) Oral Exam: You must pass the test for all three modes of interpretation: Consecutive, Simultaneous and Sight Translation. It is not required to pass all three modes at the same time. If you fail one of two of them, you will only be required to take the one/s you missed at the next test sitting.

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HOW MUCH CAN INTERPRETERS MAKE?

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Most credentialed court interpreters in the State of Tennessee are freelance contractors. There are only three full time positions in the entire State at this time.

https://www.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/42

 

As a freelance interpreter you can charge as much as you want. But if you are doing court appointed work, the State pays interpreters through the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), persuant to Supreme Court Rule 42 

Currently the allowed fees are:

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SPANISH:

Non-Credentialed: $25 per hour

Registered: $40 per hour

Certified: $50 per hour

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LANGUAGES OTHER THAN SPANISH:

Up to $75 per hour. 

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Interpreters can also set their own fees for private work (outside of the courtroom).

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For more information please refer to https://www.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/42  

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