Professional certifications can significantly enhance your credibility and marketability as a translator or interpreter. Here are some key certifications in the field:
• Description: The most authoritative translation and interpreting qualification in China, administered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
• Levels:
- Level 1 (Senior Translator/Interpreter)
- Level 2 (Translator/Interpreter)
- Level 3 (Assistant Translator/Interpreter)
• Language Pairs: Primarily Chinese and English, but also available for other languages.
• Exam Components:
- For translators: Written translation in both directions
- For interpreters: Consecutive interpreting, sight translation, and simultaneous interpreting (Level 1 only)
• Frequency: Typically held twice a year (May and November)
• Preparation: Various institutions offer preparation courses, and there are official textbooks available.
• Significance: Widely recognized in China and increasingly acknowledged internationally, especially for roles involving Chinese language pairs.
• URL: https://www.catticenter.com/
• Description: Widely recognized certification for translators.
• Preparation: ATA Certification Exam Preparation - A 12-week online program.
• Exam Details: Computer-based exam, available in various language pairs.
• URL: https://www.atanet.org/certification/
• Description: Prestigious qualification for professional translators.
• Preparation: DipTrans Preparation Course - A 6-month part-time course.
• Exam Details: Three 3-hour papers covering general, semi-specialized, and specialized translation.
• URL: https://www.ciol.org.uk/diptrans
• Description: Industry-standard certification for Trados CAT tool.
• Levels: Getting Started, Intermediate, Advanced
• Preparation: Trados Certification - A 3-day intensive course.
• Exam Details: Online proctored exam for each level.
• URL: https://www.trados.com/training/?take=9&resourceType=Certification
• Description: Certification for proficiency in memoQ CAT tool.
• Levels: memoQ Translator Pro, memoQ Project Manager
• Preparation: Self-paced online courses available.
• Exam Details: Online exam for each level.
• URL: https://academy.memoq.com/collections/certification
• Description: Certification for localization project managers and engineers.
• Offered by: The Localization Institute
• Preparation: Self-study materials provided upon registration.
• Exam Details: Online proctored exam.
• URL: https://www.localizationinstitute.com/certification
• Description: The national standards and certifying authority for translators and interpreters in Australia.
• Levels: Certified Translator, Certified Advanced Translator
• Exam Details: Written exam for translators, oral exam for interpreters.
• URL: https://www.naati.com.au/become-certified/certification/
• Description: Required for court interpreters in many jurisdictions.
• Example: Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination (FCICE) in the US
• Preparation: Self-study materials and practice exams available.
• Exam Details: Written and oral components.
• URL: https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/federal-court-interpreters
• Description: Specialized certification for medical interpreters.
• Options:
- Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters
- Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI) by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters
• Exam Details: Written and oral components for both certifications.
• URLs: https://www.certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org/ (CMI), https://cchicertification.org/ (CHI)
• Description: Certification based on ISO standards for translation services.
• Requirements: Proof of qualifications and experience as per ISO 17100:2015 standards.
• Note: This is often obtained through translation agencies rather than individual certification.
• Description: Professional designation for translators in Canada.
• Exam Details: Translation exam in specific language pairs.
• URL: https://www.cttic.org/
These certifications cater to various specializations and career stages within the translation and interpreting field. When choosing a certification, consider your career goals, target markets, and areas of specialization. Many of these certifications require ongoing professional development to maintain, which aligns well with the concept of lifelong learning in the translation industry.
Remember to check the specific requirements, fees, and exam schedules for each certification, as these may change over time. Some certifications may also have prerequisites in terms of education or experience.