In this page you will find the latest news about the Interpreter Certification Program, such as application deadlines, dates and locations for up-coming statewide orientation workshops, written and oral examinations, policy changes, and other official program announcements.
2009 Program Calendar
The complete program calendar for 2009 is now available in the Calendar page. It lists all program events for next year including orientation workshops and written and oral exam dates. Interpreters should review the calendar and make plans in advance for complying with program requirements in view of this year’s policy changes.
Policy Changes Effective January 1, 2009
As of January 1, 2009 the following policies are in effect:
- New interpreters registering after January 1, 2009 must attend an orientation workshop, and pass the written and oral examinations before being eligible to be listed in the roster.
- Interpreters who passed the written exam in 2008 must take and pass the simultaneous portion of the oral examination if a full or partial exam is available in their language in order to remain in the roster. Those who passed the simultaneous part in 2008 must take the consecutive and sight portions of the oral exam in 2009 within program guidelines.
- Interpreters who passed the written exam in 2008 and work in a language for which there is no full or partial oral exam must take an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and perform at the superior level in order to remain listed in the roster.
- Interpreters who do not pass the simultaneous part of the oral examination or the OPI will be removed from the roster.
- Interpreters who attended an orientation in 2007 but have since failed to comply with program requirements will be categorized as inactive and will have to start the process anew if they still wish to become certified.
- Sign language interpreters must first attend the orientation workshop, pass the written exam, and provide evidence of a relevant RID certification for court interpretation as defined by the Court Administrator before being eligible to be placed in the roster.
- Deaf interpreters must take and pass the CDI written (knowledge) test by December 2009 in order to remain in the roster.
For additional information and a complete description of all certification and program requirements, all interpreters should read the Certification and Program Description pages.
Policy Concerning Deaf Interpreters
In May 2008, the Interpreter Certification Program modified its policy for certification of deaf interpreters. Interpreters holding a CDI from the RID and deaf interpreters that have not yet taken their CDI written (knowledge) test will be exempt from taking the Consortium written examination as a requirement for Pennsylvania certification. In lieu of the ICP written examination, deaf interpreters are required to take and pass the CDI knowledge test by December of 2009 in order to remain viable candidates for certification in Pennsylvania. Once they pass the CDI written exam in either its written or signed version, deaf interpreters must pass the CDI performance test within five (5) years in compliance with RID requirements.
As a condition of this policy, deaf interpreters are responsible for notifying the ICP each time they register to take the knowledge test and the outcome of each attempt in order to demonstrate they are actively engaged in the process of attempting to obtain the CDI credential. Deaf interpreters who have already taken and passed the CDI knowledge test must provide evidence to that effect. Then they must complete their CDI performance test within RID guidelines.
Policy Changes Effective January 1, 2008
On January 1, 2008 the ICP implemented the following policy changes:
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Interpreters registering after January 1, 2008 first had to attend the orientation workshop and pass the written examination before being listed in the roster. |
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Interpreters listed in the roster who did not attend an orientation workshop during 2007 had to do so and take the written examination in 2008. |
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Interpreters who attended an orientation in 2007 had to take the written exam during 2008. |
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Interpreters who did not pass the written examination were to be taken off the roster. |
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Sign language interpreters who did not have a RID or NAD certificate had to provide evidence that they were in the process of obtaining a certificate relevant for court interpretation as defined by the Court Administrator. Those unable to do so were to be removed from the roster. |
Proposed Rules of Judicial Administration
Revised rules of judicial administration for the ICP have been submitted to the court based on the commentary received during the public comment period. The original proposed rules are available in the Proposed Rules page of this website.
Information Update Form
A new form is now available in the registration page that allows interpreters to update their information on file with the program. Please use the Information Update Form to notify us of a change of address, phone, e-mail or other contact information, your availability to accept assignments, and any other changes. Go to the registration page for more details.
Registration
Interpreters who want to work in the Pennsylvania courts must register with the ICP and be certified. You may register at any time and there is no registration fee. For more information on how to register go to the Registration page.
Act 172
The legislation creating the Interpreter Certification Program was passed by the General Assembly on November 21, 2006, and signed by the governor on November 29, 2006. The bill, until then referred to as Senate Bill 669, is now officially known as Act 172 of 2006. It went into effect on January 29, 2007.
This act established the certification program and authorized its implementation by the Supreme Court. It invests the responsibility of organizing and managing the program upon the Court Administrator and the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts.