5.3 Credentials

The structure of court and legal interpreters’ credentials varies by state.1 The most common categories are “certified” and “registered.” As Louisiana has moved to regulate the quality of court interpretation, the Louisiana Supreme Court has begun to offer regular interpreter training2 and has established a hierarchy of proficiency designations which identify interpreters by their level of competence.3 The court also maintains a list of certified and registered interpreters sorted by language.4 By virtue of their credentials and qualification by the Office of Language Access, the interpreters on this list are prima facie qualified to interpret in the courtroom. Courts are encouraged to appoint interpreters on the list.

Nevertheless, registered interpreters do not always possess the oral language skills that constitute full language competency, as they are only required to pass a written exam. Certified interpreters must pass both. Accordingly, if you choose a registered interpreter, it is highly recommended that you ascertain whether the interpreter is competent to interpret in your particular matter. If the circumstances permit, this may be done informally, but if not, you should do so through voir dire.

• 1A good resource for general information is the National Center for State Courts, which provides resources on court interpreter certification. See Court Interpreter Resources, Nat’l Ctr. For State Cts.
• 2Resources for Interpreters: Interpreter Class Schedules, La. Sup. Ct.
• 3See generally La. Sup. Ct., Policy for Court Interpreter Certification and Reciprocity.
• 4Office of Language Access, La. Sup. Ct.