Many interpreters claim to be certified. Some are, some are not. To avoid such confusion, the Georgia AOC no longer calls their license a certification, just a license.
STATE LICENSURE FOR LEGAL INTERRETERS
Passing an interpretation class and receiving a certificate does not mean one is certified. Getting a degree in interpreting does not mean one is certified. But there are some agencies that certify interpreters. Many are respected, professional agencies with a rigorous process but they are not State agencies. The State exam for legal interpreters comes from the National Center of State Courts Council of Language Access Coordinators (NCSC-CLAC). While an exam can certify an interpreter’s skill level, only a governmental entity can grant a license. The roster of licensed legal interpreters for the state of Georgia can be found on the Judicial Council of Georgia AOC Standing Committee on Interpreters website (https://ocp.georgiacourts.gov).
There you will see rosters for three types of interpreter designations: Conditionally Licensed Legal Interpreter, Licensed Legal Interpreter, and Master Licensed Legal Interpreter. Interpreters in each category must take an orientation and pass a written exam.
A Conditionally Licensed Legal Interpreter is one that has not yet passed the oral proficiency exam but has obtained a general score of no lower than 60% and a score no lower than 50% on any one section. These interpreters should only be used when a fully Licensed Legal Interpreter is not available and only for certain types of assignments.
A Licensed Legal Interpreter is one that has passed the oral proficiency exam with a score of at least 70% on each section.
A Master Licensed Legal Interpreter is one that has either passed the oral proficiency exam with a score of at least 80% on each section, is federally certified or holds another approved certification or license.
The above-mentioned interpreters are provided with an ID card which lists their designation and interpreter number. So, when in doubt, either ask to see their interpreter ID card or look up the interpreter roster with your State's Committee on Interpreters.
FEDERALLY CERTIFIED COURT INTERPRETERS
There are three categories of federal court interpreters: Certified, Professionally Qualified (does not exist for
Spanish), and Language Skilled.
Certified Interpreters must pass the Federal Court Interpreter Certification exam, both the written and oral phases.
Professionally Qualified Interpreter is a title for those who speak a language not covered by the certification exam. That is why a Spanish interpreter cannot be a Professionally Qualified Interpreter for federal court. Candidates for this license must pass either the the U.S. Department of State conference or seminar interpreter test or the interpreter test of the United Nations.
Federally licensed court interpreters can be found on the National Court Interpreter Database.
An interpreter who does not have the above qualifications may be considered as a Language Skilled/Ad Hoc Interpreter if they can demonstrate their ability to interpret in court proceedings (e.j. having a State Certification). Preference is always given to licensed interpreters, especially for trials.
Reference: http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/UnderstandingtheFederalCourts/DistrictCourts/CourtInterpreters/InterpreterCategories.aspx#certified
MEDICAL/HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER CERTIFICATION
In the case of medical interpreters there are two recognized agencies that certify, the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters and the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters. In this case there are no government agencies doing certification. Furthermore, certification is not yet universally required.
As with court interpreting, merely passing a class and receiving a certificate of completion is not the same as being certified.
