Demonstration of Language Proficiency

Please email the proper documentation to tqii@education.illinois.edu once you have registered for the program. You may not begin the program before documentation has been submitted and verified. 

1) A qualified interpreter must:

B) Demonstrate that they are competent to interpret into and out of the second language. An interpreter may demonstrate this competence by either:

i) Submitting documentation showing that they are certified or qualified through an interpreter certification program, such as the Illinois state courts' certification program, the federal courts' certification program, the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters, or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Alternatively, an interpreter may submit documentation showing that the interpreter has completed a certification or qualification program that meets or exceeds the minimum standards set forth in subsection (k) (1)(ii); or

ii) Completing a certification program that includes:

• A written and oral proficiency test and fluency in both English and the second language, except that individuals who have a Professional Educator License with a Bilingual Endorsement are exempt from this requirement for the endorsed language;
• At least nine hours of training on interpreting in and out of English, interpretation standards of practice, sight translation, ethics, confidentiality, the role of the interpreter and role boundaries, respect, impartiality, professionalism, fundamentals of the effects of cultural differences on effective interpretation, and advocacy for communication. This training must include videos demonstrating proper and improper interpretation techniques; and
• A successful demonstration of knowledge of interpretation standards and techniques, and a successful completion of an oral examination to demonstrate proficiency to interpret in and out of English and consecutive or simultaneous interpreting.