“Do I need a certified interpreter?” is one of the most common questions we get. The honest answer depends on the language, the proceeding, and what “certified” actually means in context.
What “Certified” Actually Means
“Certified” usually refers to an interpreter who has passed a formal state or federal court certification exam. These exams exist for a limited number of languages — most commonly Spanish — and specific jurisdictions. Passing one demonstrates a measurable standard of legal interpreting skill.
Why Certification Isn’t Available for Every Language
For many languages, no certification exam exists at all — not because qualified interpreters aren’t available, but because the exams simply haven’t been developed for that language pair. This is common for less widely spoken languages. In these cases, “certified” isn’t a meaningful option, and the more relevant question becomes how the interpreter has been vetted.
How We Vet Our Interpreters
Our interpreters are vetted through decades of real-world experience in courtrooms, clinics, and boardrooms — not paper credentials alone. We’re a proud member of NAJIT (National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators), and we’ve provided legal, medical, and corporate interpreting for over 20 years, rated 5.0 stars across 16 Google reviews.
Which Should You Choose?
If your case specifically requires a certified interpreter — for example, a court may mandate it for certain proceedings — let us know when you book and we’ll confirm availability. For everything else, our vetted interpreters bring the real-world experience needed for depositions, hearings, medical appointments, and investigative interviews.
Book an Interpreter
Call (718) 496-9129 or email inquiries@interpret.agency — available 7am–7pm, 7 days a week.