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Best Interpreter certifications
The best certifications for an interpreter are Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI), Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI), and Certified Interpreter.
Interpreter certifications demonstrate your competency as an interpreter to employers. However, not all interpreter certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best interpreter certifications. Obtaining an interpreter certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
15 best certifications for interpreters
Rank  | Interpreter certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) | NBCMI |
| 2 | Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI) | National Boar... |
| 3 | Certified Interpreter | Administrativ... |
| 4 | Certified Translator | ATA |
| 5 | Medical Assistant | ASPT |
| 6 | Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) | PTCB |
| 7 | Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI) | CCHI |
| 8 | National Interpreter Certification (NIC) | RID |
| 9 | Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) | NHA |
| 10 | Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) | NHA |
| 11 | Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) | NHA |
| 12 | Certified Medical Interpreter - Russian | National Boar... |
| 13 | Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) | NAI |
| 14 | Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) | PMI |
| 15 | Core Certification Healthcare Interpreter (CCHI) | CCHI |
Interpreter Jobs
15 best interpreter certifications
1. Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI)
To be granted a CMI credential individuals must meet all of the eligibility prerequisites and pass BOTH the written and oral examinations. The CMI credential is awarded in the specific language(s) for which the oral exam is passed (for example CMI-Spanish). The National Board only awards the CMI credential to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria and successfully complete the written and oral examinations.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
2. Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI)
The mission of the National Board is to foster improved healthcare outcomes, patient safety and patient/provider communication, by elevating the standards for and quality of medical interpreting through a nationally recognized and accredited certification for medical interpreters.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
3. Certified Interpreter
Certified interpreters have passed the Administrative Office certification examination. To date, certification programs have been developed for Spanish, Navajo and Haitian Creole. In these languages, the courts will select interpreters who have met the Administrative Office's criteria for certification if the judge determines that certified interpreters are reasonably available.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required?
4. Certified Translator
ATA has established a certification program to enable individual translators to demonstrate that they meet professional standards. Translators who pass a written examination are certified by ATA in a specific language pair and direction (from or into English).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
5. Medical Assistant
The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)
6. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
7. Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI)
CCHI Certified Healthcare Interpreter™ certification consists of a two part examination that covers the basics of healthcare interpreting and a demonstration of interpreting skills in both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 4 year(s)
8. National Interpreter Certification (NIC)
Individuals achieving certification at the NIC, NIC Advanced or NIC Master level are all professionally certified interpreters. The National Interpreter Certification (NIC) exam tests interpreting skills and knowledge in three critical domains: General knowledge of the field of interpreting through the NIC Knowledge exam Ethical decision making through the interview portion of the NIC Performance test Interpreting and transliterating skills through the performance portion of the test. In all three domains, certificate holders must demonstrate professional knowledge and skills that meet or exceed the minimum professional standards necessary to perform in a broad range of interpretation and transliteration assignments.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 4 year(s)
9. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) primarily focuses on converting a medical procedure, diagnosis, or symptom into specific codes to submit a claim for reimbursement.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
10. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians running smoothly.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
11. Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
A Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) draws blood from patients or donors in hospitals, blood banks, or similar facilities for analysis or other medical purposes.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
12. Certified Medical Interpreter - Russian
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
13. Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 4 year(s)
14. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required?
15. Core Certification Healthcare Interpreter (CCHI)
The CHI Core Healthcare Interpreter Examination is a computer-based, 100-question, multiple-choice exam in English that covers the basics of healthcare interpreting.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 4 year(s)
Interpreter Jobs
What is the best certification for an interpreter?
The best interpreter certification is Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI). The Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) is awarded by the The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this interpreter certification:
- To become a certified Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 5 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for interpreters?
The most in-demand interpreter certification is Certified Medical Interpreter based on all active job postings. Having this interpreter certification will give you access to more interpreter jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact an interpreter career and salary?
The Certified Medical Interpreter certification will help you to secure an medical interpreter position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An medical interpreter's average salary is $41,871 whereas interpreters make an average salary of $42,008.
The most common combination of interpreter certifications include: Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI), Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI), and Certified Interpreter.
Online courses for interpreters to earn certifications
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