COURT INTERPRETERS: Spanish Court Interpreter | American Sign Language | Non-Spanish Court Interpreter | Per Diem Court Interpreter |
Spanish Court Interpreter (Competitive)
Visit the Exam Website for the Latest Competitive Exam Announcements.
Competitive Position
Court Interpreters provide spoken language access by converting words and concepts expressed in the spoken English language into Spanish and vice versa in the courtroom and other settings. They also provide sight translation of documents.
Interpreters may also translate various documents and perform clerical tasks related to language services. The competitive court interpreter exam is only offered in Spanish. Based on experience and performance, Court Interpreters may advance to supervisory positions such as Senior Court Interpreter (JG–21) and Principal Court Interpreter (JG–23).
How Do I Become a Spanish Court Interpreter (Competitive)?
Visit the Exam Information
- Take the Open-Competitive Court Interpreter (Spanish) Exam (JG–20)
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
American Sign Language Interpreter (non-competitive)
Visit the Office of Language Website , contact the Office of Language Access at [email protected] or call (646) 386-5670 for questions about the language skills screening/application process.
Non-competitive position
Court interpreters (American Sign Language) are hired off the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
- RID Certification for American Sign Language (Sign Language Only)
Non-Spanish Court Interpreter (non-competitive)
Visit the Office of Language Website , contact the Office of Language Access at [email protected] or call (646) 386-5670 for questions about the language skills screening/application process.
Non-competitive position
The courts provide interpreting services in over 100 different languages. Interpreters for languages other than Spanish, including American Sign Language, work in non-competitive titles. Qualifications for each are highlighted below.
Court Interpreters (non-Spanish) work full or part time interpreting court proceedings in languages other than English.
Visit the Exam Information for Exam Schedules
- Take the English Language Proficiency exam
- Take the oral language exam(s) listed below:
Oral Exams
- Albanian
- Arabic
- BCS (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian)
- Bengali
- Cantonese
- French
- Greek
- Haitian Creole
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Japanese
- Italian
- Korean
- Mandarin
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Punjabi
- Russian
- Spanish
- Urdu
- Vietnamese
- Wolof
Per Diem Court Interpreter
Visit the Office of Language Website , contact the Office of Language Access at [email protected] or call (646) 386-5670 for questions about the language skills screening process or the per-diem court interpreter application process.
Non-competitive position (daily contract interpreter)
When a court does not have staff interpreters available, the court provides interpreters by contacting individuals or interpreting services who have qualified to be listed on the Registry of Per Diem Interpreters. Per Diem Interpreters are independent contractors, not court employees. To be eligible for Per Diem assignment, interpreters must successfully complete the English Language Proficiency exam.
Candidates may also be assessed on their interpreting skills in the target language or be asked to submit appropriate credentials verifying proficiency in the target language.
Per Diem Court Interpreter Online Application Information
Complete the Online Application
- Take the English Proficiency Exam at a Statewide Computerized Test Center
- Take the Oral Language Exam or submit appropriate credentials
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
- RID Certification for American Sign Language (Sign Language Only)