ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS
STATE OF MARYLAND

COURT INTERPRETER PROGRAM

MARYLAND COURT INTERPRETER REQUIREMENTS
In accordance with Rule 16-819 (see Rule 16-819), the minimum requirements for interpreters seeking assignments in the Maryland Courts include the submission of an application form and attendance at a mandatory orientation workshop. Foreign language interpreters must also pass a written examination, an oral proficiency interview and an oral certification examination, if available in the target language. In addition, interpreters must swear or affirm compliance with the Maryland Code of Professional Conduct for Court Interpreters and must not have, in a state or federal court of record, a pending criminal charge or conviction on a charge punishable by a fine of more than $500 or imprisonment for more than six months, unless pardoned or expunged in accordance with the law. A background check will be conducted to determine compliance. The Administrative Office of the Courts currently does not certify and has no plans to certify translators in the future.

In summary, anyone interested in working as a court interpreter for the Maryland State Judiciary must:

1. Submit a completed Application to Attend the Court Interpreting Orientation Workshop, along with associated forms, to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), Program Services Unit, 2001-D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

2. Foreign language court interpreter candidates must also:

   a. Pass a written examination.

   b. Pass an oral proficiency interview (OPI) in the target language once the written examination is passed.

   c. Attend a mandatory 2-day Training Workshop on Court Interpreting (non-language specific).

   d. Pass the oral certification examination, if given in the target language.

   State of Maryland Court Interpreter Orientation Workshop Attendance Requirements:

   1. The applicant must have native-like proficiency in both the target language and English.

   2. Interpreters are needed in languages other than Spanish throughout the entire state. Spanish language interpreters are only needed outside of Montgomery County, Prince George's County and the Baltimore area. Any Spanish speaking candidates applying for assignment in any of these three locations MUST have substantial professional interpreting experience. Please do not apply if you do not have experience.

   3. All applicants should have prior professional interpreting experience. Courtroom experience is preferred.

   4. Priority is given to Maryland residents.

   5. Acceptance into the workshop is based on experience, language proficiency and education, not on a first come basis.

   General Information Regarding Court Interpreter Orientation Workshops and Testing (Applies to foreign languages):

   1. Testing is not done during the 1-day orientation workshop.

   2. The 1-day orientation workshop is not language specific.

   3. The purpose of the 1-day orientation workshop is to familiarize the candidates with the State of Maryland court system and the interpreter's role in a courtroom setting. (Modes of interpreting and resources available for improving skills are addressed, but actual interpreting skills are not taught.)

   4. Residents of adjoining states may apply for workshops only if they plan to interpret in the Maryland Courts and live within 30 miles of the nearest court house in Maryland. Applications may be accepted only if the class is not filled by Maryland residents.

   5. The written examination is given several times a year. Additional information will be provided at the workshop. The written exam is not language specific and the cost is included in the workshop orientation fee. The written examination covers a) comprehension of written English vocabulary and idioms, b)common court-related situations and vocabulary and c) knowledge of ethical behavior and professional conduct.

   6. The candidate will be invited to take the oral proficiency interview (OPI) only if the written examination is passed. The OPI measures how well the candidate speaks the target language, not interpreting ability. It is a one-on-one telephonic conversation with a real person conducted in the target language. It is used to determine if the candidate can communicate in the language with accuracy and fluency in order to participate fully and effectively in conversations on a variety of topics in formal and informal settings from both concrete and abstract perspectives. It does not focus on legal or courtroom terminology. There is a fee for the examination.

   7. Once foreign language candidates have passed both the written examination and the OPI, they must attend the 2-day Mandatory Non-Language Specific Training Workshop. The training workshop will address the three modes of court interpreting will provide an introduction to the wireless court interpreting equipment, courtroom protocol, invoicing and interpreter ethics. Candidates will enter the Court Interpreter Registry as eligible interpreters only after successfully completing this workshop. Candidates eligible to attend the workshop will only be tracked for a 1-year period. Failure to test and enroll within a year of attendance to the orientation workshop will result in removal from the candidate list. There is a fee for the training workshop.

   8. Oral language-specific certification testing is offered annually, but only to those who have attended the Maryland Court Interpreter Orientation Workshop and have passed the written examination and the OPI. Oral certification examinations are currently offered in Arabic, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Cantonese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese. These tests are administered yearly, depending on funding availability. Passing test scores received from other Consortium member states are reciprocal. After taking the workshop and passing the written and oral proficiency interview, candidates attain the level of “Interpreter Eligible for Certification”. A memo is provided to verify that the interpreter is permitted to interpret in the Maryland Courts if there are no certified interpreters available. The names and contact information for these individuals are added to the Court Interpreter Registry, which is distributed at least twice a year to all of the Maryland Courts. Workshop attendees have the option of signing a Permission to Release Telephone Number(s) form, which authorizes the AOC to add their names and contact information to the Court Interpreter Registry Release List. This list is provided to anyone who requests it, such as hospitals, law firms, state agencies, etc. The Administrative Office of the Courts is not responsible for any interaction between the interpreter and any of these companies or agencies. The Information Form and Registration Information are available from this page in Word fillable format. To view and print other documents, you may be required to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. Many newer browsers already include a PDF plugin. If additional information is needed, please contact the Program Services Unit at (410) 260-1291 or via e-mail at javier.soler@mdcourts.gov or linda.etzold@mdcourts.gov.