Requirements for Becoming a Court Interpreter in Maryland
Court interpreting is a highly specialized profession that requires advanced language proficiency, professional interpreting skills, and the ability to perform accurately in fast-paced legal proceedings. For this reason, the Maryland Judiciary Court Interpreter Program seeks candidates who already possess professional interpreting experience.
The program is designed for individuals who have demonstrated interpreting experience in legal or comparable professional settings. Examples of relevant experience include interpreting for professional interpretation agencies, depositions, courts in other jurisdictions, administrative hearings, mediations, international conferences, or other government or legal environments.
Since courtroom interpreting requires prior professional skills, the Court Interpreter Program does not accept applications from individuals who are bilingual but have limited or no interpreting experience. Bilingual individuals who wish to pursue court interpreting are encouraged to first gain professional interpreting experience with organizations that regularly employ interpreters, such as interpretation agencies, community organizations, or government entities, before applying to the program.
Applicants who meet the professional experience expectations may apply to attend the Introductory Webinar for Court Interpreter Candidates. After completing the introductory webinar, qualified candidates are invited to proceed through the interpreter qualification process, which includes testing and orientation.
The steps for spoken language interpreters seeking to work in the Maryland courts include:
- Attend a one-day Introductory Webinar on Court Interpreting (via Zoom)
- Pass a written examination in English
- Pass an oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in English and the foreign language once the written examination is passed
- Attend a mandatory one-day Court Interpreter Orientation Webinar (non-language specific; via Zoom)
- Pass a background check
Interpreter candidates who complete these requirements are listed on the Court Interpreter Registry as "QUALIFIED" interpreters. They are allowed to take a Court Interpreter Certification Exam, if available in their languages. Certified and Qualified court interpreters listed on the Court Interpreter Registry work on an as needed basis. Being listed on the Registry does not guarantee full-time, part-time or contractual employment. If you are looking for permanent employment with the Maryland Judiciary, please visit the Maryland Judiciary website at www.mdcourts.gov/jobs.
Certified interpreters from the neighboring states are welcome to apply for reciprocity if they live within 50 miles of the nearest Maryland courthouse. To request an application for reciprocity, please contact the Court Interpreter Program via email at [email protected].
How to Become Listed as an ASL or ASL-CDI Court Interpreter in Maryland
In accordance with Maryland Rule 1-333, the minimum requirement for Sign Language interpreters seeking assignments in the Maryland courts is to be certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). The Maryland Court Interpreter program does not certify sign language interpreters. Sign language interpreters do not need to attend the Introductory Workshop or take the Court Interpreter Written Exam. To request an application, please contact the Court Interpreter Program via email at [email protected].