17.1: Introduction
- Page ID
- 145434
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This topic is designed to help you understand and compare the two primary national certification options for spoken-language medical interpreters:
- The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)
- The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)
You will review essential information about each organization’s certifications, exam requirements, costs, renewal processes, language offerings, and application procedures. You will use this information to help you decide which certification might be best for you.
PRO-Credentials Certification (Healthcare Interpreting)
Before you continue, be sure you understand the following concepts:
Credential requirements in California
In the state of California, a person can work as a healthcare/medical interpreter without certification because it is not required by law to practice (with the exception of Workers' Compensation, explained below*). There is also no established educational requirement. This being the case begs the question, why should interpreters earn educational credentials or certification?
The reality is that while the state of California does not impose a certification requirement for Healthcare/Medical Interpreters, providers of healthcare services, as well as other consumers who pay for Interpreting services, recognize the need for certified professional interpreters in order to ensure higher qualities of service for both themselves and the communities they serve. They recognize that interpreters who have completed a robust educational program and/or are certified require less training, and in the case of certified interpreters, may not need to be tested as part of their vetting process, both which cost money and take time.
Consider the following:
- Employers (i.e. healthcare systems, hospitals, clinics, LSPs) recruit and prefer to hire interpreters who complete robust educational programs or have earned national certifications. And some employers require it even though it is not a state mandate.
- LSPs (Language Service Providers) and other organizations who work with interpreters on a contract basis prefer to do business with interpreters who complete robust educational programs or have earned national certification.
*Workers' compensation
"The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) monitors the administration of workers' compensation claims, and provides administrative and judicial services to assist in resolving disputes that arise in connection with claims for workers' compensation benefits." - https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/Interpreter/InterpreterFAQs.htmlLinks to an external site.
If a person has a work-related injury or illness, their employer is required by law to pay for workers' compensation benefits, including medical care, paid for by the employer to help the person recover from an injury or illness caused by work.
According to Worker Compensation laws, Interpreter services must be provided during the following encounters
- Deposition
- Appeals board hearing
- Medical appointments
- Medical-legal exams
To qualify to be paid for interpreter services at a Deposition or Appeals Board Hearing, interpreters must be certified by passing the Certified Court Interpreter exam managed by the Judicial Council of California.Links to an external site.
To qualify to be paid for interpreter services at a medical treatment appointment or medical-legal exam, interpreters must be certified, by passing either the CCHI or NBCMI certification exam or the Certified Court Interpreter exam managed by the Judicial Council of California.Links to an external site.
