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How much training is required to be an interpreter in Spanish?

These basic requirements are for someone looking to get started as an interpreter right away with minimal training. Of course, we will always recommend continued growth and training in your target language and interpreting field to be most successful. ​

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1. Minimum Age: At least 18 years old (the age of majority as defined by the federal government). A driver’s license or a birth certificate or passport copy are acceptable proofs of age.

 

2. General Education: All candidates must submit proof of having at least a high school education level. A high school diploma, a GED, or any degree from an institution of higher education are acceptable proofs of general education.

 

3. Medical Interpreter Education: All candidates must submit proof of training specific to medical interpreting. 

 

- Medical interpreter training that was taken at a college or university must be at least 3 credit hours; a transcript is the only acceptable proof. 

 

- Medical interpreter training courses must be at least 40 hours; a Certificate of Completion from an approved medical interpreter training course is the only acceptable proof.

 

4. Oral proficiency in English: All candidates must submit proof of oral proficiency in English by submitting one of the following:  Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or any other degree from an institution of higher education in the U.S. or other English language country. 

 

- High school diploma from a high school in the U.S. or other English language country or from an American School abroad. 

 

-Language Proficiency Test

 

5. Oral proficiency in target language: All candidates must submit proof of oral proficiency in the target language by submitting one of the following...

 

- Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or any other degree from an institution of higher education where the target language is spoken. 

 

- High school diploma from a high school in a country where the target language is spoken or 24+ semester college credit hours for the target language 

 

- ACTFL Oral Exams (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Advanced Mid Level (follow this link) both the OPI (telephonic) and OPIC (computer recording) are acceptable.