Foreign Language Services

Paul F. DeLosh, Director
(804) 786-6455

General Inquiries
(804) 786-6455
[email protected]

Certification Team
[email protected] 

Foreign Language Services Organizational Chart

Certification Calendar

  • The mission of the Foreign Language Services (FLS) Division is to assist individuals with limited English proficiency in overcoming language barriers to ensure equal access to Virginia’s Judicial System. FLS provides interpretation and sight translation services, certifies and hires highly trained interpreters, and establishes and upholds the highest professional standards for the delivery of language services.

  • The Judicial Council of Virginia has developed a process to certify persons serving as foreign language interpreters in court proceedings in the Commonwealth. The purpose of the certification program is to better ensure that language interpreters are competent to perform such services in a court environment.

    Certification is available in the following languages:
    Amharic, Arabic (Egyptian), Arabic (Levantine), Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, Cantonese, Filipino (Tagalog), French, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese.
    Oral-Exam-Ready-for-Administration-August-2023

    Certification Requirements

    Qualified Status is granted to interpreters of languages for which an oral certification exam is not currently available.

    Qualification Requirements

    Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters Serving in Virginia Courts

  • *Candidates who started the Certification/Qualification Process prior to January 2025 please click here for more information.  

    **Registration forms are only available during registration periods.

    Certification Calendar

    Registration Information

    • Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. on the first day of the registration window.
    • Once you complete the registration form, eligible candidates will be directed to the FLS online payment portal to finalize their registration.
    • Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
    • Preference will be given to in-state candidates.

    Please Note: All dates are tentative and subject to change without prior notice. Registration will close either when capacity is reached or on the specified deadline, whichever occurs first. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the calendar.

    Fees

    Oral Proficiency Interviews: $65 per language. 

    Written Exam: $125.00

    Orientation: All Languages $225.00

    Oral Exam: Certification-certified languages candidates only $225.00-$600 (language dependent)

    Notes: 

    • Fees are subject to change without notice.
    • The Supreme Court of Virginia will NOT reimburse your travel, parking, meal or lodging expenses.

    Refund Policy

    Registration Information for Individual Certification Elements:

    Register for Step 1: Webinars
    Open year-round. 

    Complete Step 2: Oral Proficiency Interview
    Open year-round. 

    Register for Step 3: Written Exam
    Registration forms are only available during registration periods.
    The written exam will be administered twice a year. View our Certification Calendar for upcoming registration and exam dates.  
    Complete the Registration Form.

    Register for Step 4: 2-day Interpreter Orientation
    Registration forms are only available during registration periods.
    Orientation will be administered twice a year. View our Certification Calendar for upcoming registration and exam dates.  
    Complete the Registration Form.

    Register for Step 5: Certifiable Languages Oral Exam
    Registration forms are only available during registration periods.
    Oral Exams will be administered twice a year. View our Certification Calendar for upcoming registration and exam dates. 
    Complete the Registration Form.

    For questions, please email [email protected] 

    1. Why Certification?
      In Virginia, while there's no statutory requirement that only certified interpreters be used during court proceedings, preference is given to certified interpreters due to their proven competence and skills. Courts are encouraged to request these certified professionals, as they have undergone a rigorous certification process that ensures they can provide accurate and effective language interpretation services. This emphasis on certified interpreters helps maintain the integrity of court proceedings and ensures that all parties have fair access to justice.

     

    1. What languages are certifiable in Virginia? 
      Virginia certifies all 18 languages certifiable by the National Center for State Courts: {Interpreter info | NCSC}
      Amharic
      Arabic (Egyptian)
      Arabic (Levantine)
      Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian
      Cantonese
      Filipino (Tagalog)
      French
      Haitian Creole
      Hmong
      Khmer
      Korean
      Mandarin
      Polish
      Portuguese
      Russian
      Somali
      Spanish
      Turkish
      Vietnamese

     

    1. What about languages that are not certifiable in Virginia? 
      For languages that are not certifiable through the National Center for State Courts, Virginia offers a “qualified” status. To become qualified the interpreter candidate has to complete steps one through four of the certification process and sign the interpreter’s oath.

     

    1. How do I register to meet step 2, the OPI requirement?
      After completing Step 1 and viewing the required webinars, candidates must submit the Webinar Assertion Form, which provides detailed instructions for completing Step 2: the OPI requirement.

     

    1. What are the minimum requirements for an interpreter candidate to provide interpretation services in Virginia courts?
      For both certifiable and non-certifiable languages, interpreter candidates must complete steps 1–4 of the certification/qualification process, to include:
      1. Completing a court observation period totaling 15 hours
      2. Submitting a resume

      3. Participating in an interview with a member of the certification team

        Once approved, the candidate will be added to the internal list of approved interpreters.

     

    1. How do I register for the written exam?
      Candidates who wish to register for the written exam (step 3 of the certification process) must have completed step 1 (webinars) and step 2 (oral proficiency interviews) to be eligible to register. You can find the schedule for registration dates here.

     

    1. How do I register for the oral exam? 
      Candidates who have completed steps 1 through 4 (webinars, OPIs, written exam, and orientation) may sign up online for the oral exam. The oral exam is given twice a year in two locations. Candidates may not take the oral exam more than once in a 6-month period. Registration is open at announced times until capacity is reached. You can find the schedule for registration dates here.

     

    1.  What if I did not pass the written exam?
      You can take the written exam every six months for up to 3 attempts. Three unsuccessful attempts require the candidate to provide a certificate of completion, at candidates’ expense, of an English course. Acceptable courses:
    • TOEFL Prep Course
    • Upper-level English college course

    • Courses specific to the preparation of the interpreter written exam.

      After completion of a qualified English course, two more attempts will be permitted before disqualification from the program.

     

    1. What if I complete the minimum requirements, steps 1-4, but decide not to take the oral exam?
      Beginning October 2025, interpreter candidates who have completed the first four steps and are eligible to provide in-court interpretation services, must meet the following milestones to continue providing services in Virginia courts:

      Certifiable Languages
      1. Conditionally Non-Certified: Candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be designated as conditionally non-certified. They must take the oral exam and score at least 60% on each section within two years of becoming conditionally non-certified. The oral exam may be taken once every six months.
      2. Non-Certified: Candidates who meet the 60% threshold on each of section of the oral exam will be considered non-certified. They must pass the full oral certification exam within two years. The oral exam may be taken once every six months and in accordance with the conditions set forth in the Certification Program.

    Candidates who do not actively pursue these milestones may be removed from the Virginia interpreter roster until they meet the required standards.

    Candidates currently designated as non-certified interpreters, who have not yet met the minimum requirements and are not actively pursuing certification will have a transition period through January 2027 to achieve compliance. During this time, individuals are encouraged to make progress toward certification. Those who do not meet the requirements or demonstrate effort by the end of the transition period may be reclassified, and individuals who make no progress may be removed from the Virginia Interpreter Roster.

    Note: When scheduling interpreter assignments, preference will be given to non-certified candidates over conditionally non-certified candidates. However, certified interpreters will receive priority over all non-certified designations.

     

    1. I completed the orientation and passed the written exam in another state. May I register for the oral exam in Virginia? 
      With some exceptions, the Commonwealth of Virginia accepts certification components from other states and the federal courts. Please contact the Department of Judicial Services, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia by email at [email protected] to request an evaluation of your status.
      Note: Preference will be given to in-state candidates. 

     

    1. What other types of certifications does Virginia accept?
      Any person who has met the requirements for federal court certification or certification by a state judicial system participating in the State Court Interpreter Certification Consortium administered by the National Center for State Courts, and the components meet Virginia certification requirements. Please visit the page on Reciprocity Requirements. 

     

    1. If I took the oral exam but did not pass one or more of the sections, do have I have to retake the entire oral exam? 
      Yes. The Supreme Court of Virginia does not offer individual sections of the oral exam.

     

    1. I successfully completed interpreter testing and training elements at Virginia standards, but I would like to retake an exam for a higher score. Can I register to retake an exam?
      Virginia does not administer retakes of certification exams once the candidate has qualified for interpreter certification in Virginia.

     

    1. I am interested in earning federal certification. How do I become a federally certified foreign language interpreter?
      For information on federal certification, visit this page. 

     

    1. I passed my exams and am certified! Am I now an employee of the courts?
      No, you are not an employee of the courts. You are an independent contractor. The Foreign Language Services Division (FLS) keeps a list of certified, non-certified and qualified interpreter contractors. In most cases, when a court needs an interpreter, the clerk requests an interpreter through FLS. Language access coordinators then contact an interpreter to arrange the assignment. Regular employee positions are advertised through Jobs.Virginia.gov.

     

    1. How are interpreters paid?
      Interpreters are independent contractors and must establish their own taxpayer ID number to be paid by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Submitting invoices and receiving payment for interpreting services are covered in detail during the 2-day interpreter orientation.

     

    1. How much are interpreters paid?
      Compensation of an interpreter appointed by the court is fixed by the court, in accordance with guidelines set by the Judicial Council of Virginia. Current rates and guidelines can be found in Chapter 8 of the Language Access Plan 

     

    1. What if I have more questions?
      Please email any questions regarding certification to [email protected]. 

  • Purpose: The purpose of this Continuing Education Policy is to ensure that certified and qualified interpreters in Virginia maintain and enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to carry out their duties with professionalism, competence, fairness, and efficiency. This policy also ensures interpreters remain current with developments in law, technology, and society, including emerging areas such as cybercrime, artificial intelligence, and other advancements that may affect the practice of interpretation. In addition, it affirms the obligation of interpreters to adhere to the highest standards of professional conduct as established in the Code of Professional Responsibilities for Interpreters Serving in Virginia.

    Interpreters Subject to this Policy: To maintain active status, interpreters in the following two categories will be required to complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within a designated cycle:

    • Certified Interpreters: Those who have passed a recognized certification exam for their language.
    • Qualified Interpreters in Non-Certifiable Languages: Those approved by the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) to work in languages for which no certification exam currently exists.

    Interpreters in the process of obtaining qualification or certification are exempt from the CEU requirement until such qualification or certification has been achieved.

    CEU Requirements: Interpreters must complete a total of 18 CEU hours every three years, including:

    • 3 hours in ethics and professional conduct
    • 15 hours in interpreting skills, legal procedures, terminology, and other relevant professional competencies
    • Cycle Length: Every 3 years
    • First Program Start Date: January 1, 2026
    • Cycle Alignment:
      • Even-Year Start (e.g., 2026): CEUs due by December 1, 2028
      • Odd-Year Start (e.g., 2027): CEUs due by December 1, 2029

    Approved CEU Providers and Activities: Any in-person or live online courses led by an instructor or trainer and that include a final assessment or test of the participants performance, are eligible for credit at the rate of one (1) CEU per contact hour. The maximum number of credits that will be approved for a single in-person or live online training event is twelve (12) CEUs. Archived, recorded and self-study trainings will not be approved.

    • Accredited interpreting and translation organizations (e.g., NAJIT, ATA)
    • Recognized academic institutions.
    • State and national court systems with training divisions (e.g., Maryland Judiciary)
    • Certified online platforms offering live legal interpreter courses, including:
      • Interpretrain
      • De la Mora Institute
      • Transinterpreting
    • CEU Credit for Teaching at Conferences:
      Interpreters who serve as presenters, trainers, or panelists at approved conferences may receive CEU credit for their participation. CEU hours will be awarded based on the length and content of the presentation.
    • Teach an academic course at an accredited college or university on a subject related to courts and legal interpreting.

    For more information on approved resources, visit the Foreign Language Services > Study Materials and Resources page.

    Submission of CEU Documentation: Interpreters will receive a reminder 60 days prior to the renewal deadline. Only complete submissions that meet all requirements will be accepted. Do not submit partially completed CEU documentation.

    • Submit the CEU tracking form provided by the FLS Department.
    • Submit the Certificate of Completion for each course.
    • Submit supporting documentation verifying the role, the event, and the duration of the presentation at an approved conference.
    • All CEUs must be completed within the designated 3-year period. CEUs completed prior to the start of the cycle will not be counted toward the requirement.
    • Submit all documentation to [email protected].

    Compliance Requirement

    • CEU compliance is mandatory to maintain your active status.
    • Interpreters who do not meet CEU requirements by their assigned due date will be deemed non-compliant and will be ineligible to provide interpreter services in Virginia courts until all requirements are fulfilled.

    Related Links:

    Summary of Certification Renewal Requirements

    CEU Tracking Form

    Study Materials and Resources

  • Online Training

    The following companies have been approved as providers of online training for CEUs for certified and qualified interpreters looking to comply with continuing education requirements in order to renew their certification. Please go to our Certification Renewal page to learn about the requirements. Follow the links below to obtain detailed information about the variety of courses and training offered by each company.

    • American Pie Seminars - This provider has many instructor led webinars held on-line through GotoMeeting.com which are approved for CEU credit. Only instructor led seminars which include a final test or evaluation of the participant’s skills are approved for CEU credits. For additional information regarding class schedules and fees, please contact American Pie Seminars, Hortensia Torres-Comas, at (800) 436-6234 or [email protected]
    • Athena Sky Interpreting provides online trainings to improve students’ skill and/or certification level. Participants perform on-the-spot exercises, obtaining feedback and learning strategies to heighten their proficiency. Exercises are provided in Spanish, English, and language-neutral form. Interpreters of all languages are welcome. Trainer Athena Matilsky is a Federally Certified Spanish interpreter. Instructor-led courses have been pre-approved for CEUs.
    • Castillo Language Services, Inc. offers a variety of online and in-person training for legal and medical interpreters and translators including skill-building and oral exam preparation workshops for State and Federal certification exams, court, medical, community and conference interpreter training, and continuing education courses.
    • Chinese Court Interpreters Training Center provides training for professional court-certified interpreters across the U.S., with a focus on Mandarin Chinese. The company also offer courses for those who wish to become court-certified in Mandarin or Cantonese.
      The instructor Lijuan Ma has been teaching the court interpreter training program at UCLA Extension for over 10 years. To check the continued education offerings, please click here: https://chinesecourtinterpreters.com/continuing-education-1
    • Court Interpreter Training Online (CITO) offers online professional trainings led by Victoria Dopazo. Live (not recorded) trainings with instructor feedback and exit test/quiz are approved. A certificate of attendance bearing the name of the participant and number of instruction hours must be presented to get CEUs.
    • De la Mora Institute of Interpretation offers a wide variety of online, in-person, and individually designed trainings for interpreters of all levels, from beginners to certified professionals looking to improve their skills or obtain CEUs. Specific prep courses for written and oral exams for both state and federal certification are available; as well as instructor led and self-paced training. Instructor Agustin de la Mora is a Federal and Medical Certified interpreter and a nationally recognized trainer. Visit the website for a current list of courses.
    • Interpretrain offers self-paced professional webinars- instructor-led courses are eligible for CEUs. Students have an opportunity to get the trainer’s live feedback and have their questions answered throughout the entirety of the courses. To pass the course and receive a certificate, students must score 80% or more on the quizzes. A certificate of attendance bearing the name of the participant and number of instruction hours must be presented to obtain CEUs. Go to the website to see the list of available courses- self paced courses without a live instructor available will not be considered for CEUs.
    • Jacobo Gallegos Interpreting & Training provides continuing education to both foreign and sign language certified interpreters nationwide. Forensics and weapon terminology are specialties. Visit the website for detailed offerings and complete information.
    • Linguist Education Online has a wide array of training for legal and medical interpreting. Offers preparatory courses for state and federal written and oral exams as well as webinars for already certified interpreters looking for CEUs. Many courses are instructor led. Go to the website for an up-to-date list of courses available.
    • Rogelio Camacho Seminars As a provider of continuing education both online and in-person for Spanish court interpreters and translators since 1992, Rogelio Camacho Seminars has presented over 500 translation webinars, seminars, workshops in the United States and other countries around the world. Translators, interpreters, and professional organizations have applauded his presentations for their high quality, original content, and dynamic style. Translating Court Terms into Spanish is a sample of available trainings. Follow the link above for more information about upcoming seminars.
    • The NAJIT Academy is an exciting educational project under the direction of the NAJIT Training and Education Committee offering webinars and other educational opportunities. This initiative is intended to provide a variety of subjects in many different languages to meet the needs of NAJIT friends and members. Follow link for current offerings.
    • Texan Translation webinars are language-neutral, instructor-led, and taught on Saturdays by a Federally Certified Court Interpreter and Certified Translator. Students, beginners and retirees can qualify for discounts, and some classes are free each year. For more information, email [email protected] or call (512) 992-5467.
    • Transinterpreting offers professional training and continuing education for court, medical and community interpreters. It has exam prep courses for both written and oral state, federal and medical certification tests. Many classes are instructor-led and approved for CEUs. It also offers tutoring, accent reduction, and vocabulary and terminology learning classes. Follow link for complete information.

    Skill-Building Workshops

    Language of Justice Institute

    Widener University's Delaware Law School offers bilingual professionals a program to prepare for the state court interpreter certification exams. In collaboration with the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia Courts) Delaware Law School developed a specialized program through a grant provided by the State Justice Institute. This program seeks to enable participants to become interpreters working in the legal field and court systems. Weekend courses introduce participants to legal and court interpreting roles, skills, ethics, and terminology. The program concludes with a written test and an oral exam. After completion of the final assessment, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion and three academic credits. To learn more, follow the link below.

    MAGNA VOCE Interpreter Education

    This company provides scholarly-focused educational opportunities for aspiring and professional interpreters working in the legal, medical and community contexts. Instruction is aimed at helping participants to assemble a theoretical and methodological toolbox and in the development of strategies for use in any interpreting scenario. Workshops are a balanced combination of theoretical principles and skills practice accompanied by constructive instructor and peer criticism. The goals of the curriculum are linguistic competence, well-developed interpreting skills and an awareness of the humanistic and ethical considerations present in everyday work. Its workshops are grouped into series called enrichment, boot camp, legal, ethics and responsibilities, and community interpreting. They cover the spectrum of knowledge necessary for becoming a successful interpreter. From a six-day fundamentals course introducing the concepts of interpretation to skill-building seminars in the simultaneous, consecutive and sight modes of interpretation, note-taking, and ethical practices. Many of its workshops are language neutral. All the seminars are approved for CEU credits by the Interpreter Certification Program. For a complete description of workshops and a schedule of upcoming seminars, cost and other details, follow the link below. Follow the link below for current listings.

    Cross-Cultural Communications Trainings

    Cross-Cultural Communications (CCC), a Maryland-based agency specializing in training for community and medical interpreting is offering a number of seminars that can be of benefit to candidates seeking to improve their skills in preparation for taking their certification exams, as well as for already certified legal interpreters looking for continuing education opportunities. Click on the link below to access CCC's lineup of seminars.

    New Mexico Center for Language Access

    The Center provides training through four non-credit certificate programs for bilingual persons interested in helping those with linguistic needs throughout the justice and healthcare systems. Justice System Interpreting is designed to prepare individuals for work throughout the justice system. Individuals interested in pursuing court interpreter certification are ideal candidates for this program. The Justice System and Medical Language Access Specialist programs are designed to train individuals who are called on to provide language access services as part of their regular work in the justice system and healthcare industry. Medical Interpreting is designed to train interpreters who facilitate linguistic and cultural communication between patients and healthcare providers. Courses are available online and some require an internship. For more detailed information about these programs follow the link below.

    Training and Practice Tools

    Testing & Certification

    Self-Study Materials

    Oral Exam Practice Exercises

    Colleges & Universities

    The following colleges and universities offer courses, certificates and training in court interpretation:

    Other Organizations

    The following organizations provide information and translation, training resources, workshops and professional development through conferences and publications:

  • The Office of the Executive Secretary has set standards that must be met for a candidate to be granted certification or qualification reciprocity in the state of Virginia. 

    Certification Reciprocity
    If you are seeking certification reciprocity in one of the 18 languages that are certifiable by Virginia (Amharic, Arabic (Egyptian), Arabic (Levantine), Bosnian Croatian-Serbian, Cantonese, Filipino (Tagalog), French, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese), click the link below for more information.

    Qualification Reciprocity
    If you are seeking qualification reciprocity in any language other than a certifiable language, mentioned above, click the link below for more information

  • Virginia Directory of Certified Court Interpreters – Not for Court Use

    Interpreter Directory Information

    The Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) of the Supreme Court of Virginia maintains a public directory of certified court interpreters who have agreed to share their contact information for private interpretation services outside the court system. OES does not make recommendations or endorsements.

    Using the Directory
    Search by language to find interpreters for private assignments. Contact interpreters directly to discuss availability, scope of work, and compensation.

    Important Note
    The Office of the Executive Secretary does not coordinate or assume responsibility for any private arrangements concerning interpretation or translation services. These arrangements are strictly between the interpreter and the hiring party. For court-related matters, please contact the clerk’s office where the case will be heard. 

    About Certification
    Certified Court Interpreters have completed a rigorous certification process, which includes:

    • A two-day orientation covering ethics and courtroom protocol
    • A written exam on English vocabulary, legal terminology, and interpreter ethics
    • A comprehensive oral exam assessing proficiency in:
      • Sight translation
      • Consecutive interpretation
      • Simultaneous interpretation

    Certified interpreters are qualified to work in a range of legal and professional settings.

    Questions?
    Please contact the Foreign Language Services Coordinator at: [email protected]