Access certification washington state
The Washington Courts are committed to ensuring equal access to justice for all individuals regardless of their ability to communicate in the spoken English language. Language interpreters play an essential role in ensuring due process and helping court proceedings function efficiently and effectively.
Local trial courts are responsible for scheduling interpreters for court proceedings. If you or someone you know requires the use of a language interpreter, please contact the court where the proceeding will occur.
The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) supports the trial courts and strives to ensure high quality interpreter services. The Court Interpreter Program oversees the training and testing of certified and registered spoken language interpreters, channels state funding to trial courts for the provision of interpreter services, and provides staffing and support to the Interpreter and Language Access Commission. The Washington AOC has been certifying court interpreters as to their competency and accuracy since 1990.
- RCW Chapter 2.42 secures the rights of deaf and hearing impaired persons to interpreters.
- RCW Chapter 2.43 secures the rights of non-English speaking and limited English speaking persons.
- GR (General Rule) 11 establishes the Interpreter and Language Access Commission (ILAC), the Code of Professional Responsibility for Judiciary Interpreters, and the rules regarding Remote Interpretation and Team Interpretation
Interpreter and Language Access Commission
- Interpreter and Languages Access Commission (ILAC)
- Interpreter and Language Access Commission Meeting Information
Becoming a Credentialed Court Interpreter
- Becoming a Court Interpreter
- Certified Interpreters
- Registered Interpreters
- ASL Interpreters
- Testing and Training Updates
- Testing and Training Calendar for Becoming a Certified Court Interpreter
- Testing and Training Calendar for Becoming a Registered Court Interpreter
Credentialed Interpreters
- Resources for Interpreters
- Continuing Education
- Policies and Forms
- Interpreter Profile Sign In
- Manual for Standards of Practice and Ethics for Washington State Judiciary Interpreters
Resources for Courts
- Court Interpreting Information and Resources for Remote Interpreting
- Interpreter Benchcard (includes spoken language and sign language)
- List of Languages with Certified or Registered Interpreters
Additional resources for court staff can be found on Inside Courts
Other Resources
- National Center for State Courts - Court Interpreting
- Reporting a Complaint
