Translator certification in certain language pairs is awarded by
- The American Translators Association (ATA), based on a rigorous written examination in a specific language combination, such as Spanish into English. This was called an accreditation until 2003, when the ATA changed the terminology.
Interpreter certification in certain languages is offered by
- the federal court system, which requires both a written and oral examination
- the New Mexico court system, which requires a two-day workshop and examinations in simultaneous, consecutive and sight interpretation.
Other entities have programs for qualifying individuals to supply linguistic services:
- the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- the US State Department
- other state court systems
- many foreign governments
Accreditation and certification are reassuring indicators of proficiency for the client but are not available in many language combinations. Education and experience are also important.