FAQ Certification and Qualification (FLS)

    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.

    2. 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

    3. What about languages that do not have an oral certification exam in Virginia? 

      For languages that do not have an oral exam and 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. For detailed information click this link: Qualification Requirements | Virginia Court System

    4. What are the minimum requirements for an interpreter candidate to provide interpretation services in Virginia courts?

      For languages that are not certifiable in Virginia- Qualified Status: Interpreter candidates of a non-certifiable language must complete steps 1–4 of the qualification process, to include:

      • Completing a court observation period totaling 15 hours
      • Submitting a resume
      • 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.

      For certifiable languages: Interpreter candidates must complete steps 1–4 of the certification process and meet one of the following requirements prior to providing interpretation services in Virginia Courts:

      • Conditionally Approved
        • Take the oral exam and score at least 50% on each section.
        • Must achieve the next designation within two years.
      • Non-Certified
        • Score 60% or more on each section of the oral exam.
        • Must pass the full oral certification exam within two years.
      • Certified
        • Score 70% or more on each section of the oral exam and no less than 65% on either sight translation section. 

      Prior to being added to the roster of interpreters and providing services, candidates will be required to submit their resume of experience and meet with a member of the certification team.

    5. How do I register to meet step 2, the OPI requirement?

      After completing Step 1, viewing the required webinars, candidates must submit the Webinar Assertion Form. The form provides detailed instructions for completing Step 2: the OPI requirement. For detailed information click this link: Step 2: Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) 

    6. 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.

    7. 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 dateshere

    8. 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.

    9. What if I speak a certifiable language and I complete the first 4 steps in the process, but decide not to take the oral exam?

      Interpreter candidates who have completed the first four steps must meet the following milestones to begin providing services in Virginia courts:

      Certifiable Languages

      • Conditionally Approved
      • Take the oral exam and score at least 50% on each section.
      • Must achieve the next designation within two years.
      • Non-Certified
      • Score 60% or more on each section of the oral exam.
      • Must pass the full oral certification exam within two years.
      • Certified
        • Score 70% or more on each section of the oral exam and no less than 65% on either sight translation section.

      Note:

      • Candidates who do not actively pursue these milestones may not be permitted to provide services in Virginia Courts
      • The Certification Team retains full discretion to review all exam scores, consider a candidate’s experience and demonstrated skills, and determine whether the candidate meets the qualifications required to provide interpretation services in Virginia’s courts.
      • Though both conditionally approved and non-certified interpreters will receive the same hourly compensation, scheduling preference will be given to non-certified interpreters over conditionally approved interpreters.
      • Certified interpreters are given preference over all other designations.

    10. What if I am currently a non-certified interpreter in Virginia and I have not met any of the requirements to provide interpretation services in court?

      There will be a transition period for non-certified interpreters currently serving in Virginia courts. These interpreters will have until January 30, 2027, to comply with the new requirements. During this transition period, interpreter designations will be updated as candidates take the oral exam and receive their scores. Interpreters are encouraged to actively work toward certification during this time.

    11. 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  submit this form: Qualified Status Reciprocity Requirements to 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.

    12. What other types of certifications/qualifications does Virginia accept?

      Any individual who has met the requirements for federal court certification or certification through a state judicial system participating in the State Court Interpreter Certification Consortium, administered by the National Center for State Courts, may be eligible for reciprocity if the certification components meet Virginia’s certification requirements. For more information, please visit the reciprocity requirements page.

    13. 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 requires that candidates pass all 3 sections of the oral exam in one sitting.

    14. 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?

      No, Virginia does not administer retakes of certification exams once the candidate has qualified for interpreter certification in Virginia.

    15. 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

    16. 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 

    17. 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.

    18. 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

    19. What if I have more questions?

      Please email any questions regarding certification to [email protected]. 

    Updated 4/2026