Interpreter Certification Path Finder
Not sure which certification to pursue? Answer 4 quick questions and get a personalized roadmap based on your language, specialty, and goals.
Certification questionnaire and results
What's your primary language pair?
Select the language you interpret to/from English.
Medical fees and prerequisites checked October 1, 2026. This tool lists options, not an eligibility decision or an employer endorsement. Read the CCHI vs NBCMI cost and eligibility comparison, then confirm your route with CCHI's fee schedule, CCHI's eligibility rules, and NBCMI's program overview and prerequisites. CCHI's 2026 #AddCCHI discount has separate credential and payment requirements; it is not the standard new-applicant fee.
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Try FreeUS interpreter certifications at a glance
CCHI (Medical)
Offers bilingual CHI performance exams in Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin, and the English-to-English ETOE route to CoreCHI-P for other languages. Confirm which credential your employer accepts.
NBCMI (Medical)
Offers CMI in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Korean, and Vietnamese. Hub-CMI is knowledge-based and available regardless of target language, with different expiry rules for CMI languages.
Court (Legal)
Federal court certification (Spanish only) and state certifications through the NCSC/CLAC consortium (exams in 20 languages). Required for most court work.
Frequently asked questions
Which interpreter certification should I get?
It depends on your language, specialty, and goals. Medical interpreters choose between CCHI (CHI or CoreCHI-P) and NBCMI (CMI). Legal interpreters pursue state or federal court certification. Use the tool above to get a personalized recommendation.
What's the difference between CHI and CMI?
CHI is CCHI's bilingual performance credential for Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin. CMI is NBCMI's bilingual performance credential for Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Korean, and Vietnamese. Compare the training and proficiency documents for your route, and ask your employer which exact credential it accepts.
How much does interpreter certification cost?
Checked October 1, 2026: CCHI CHI or CoreCHI-P: $533 standard initial fees ($40 application + $191 CoreCHI + $302 CHI or ETOE). NBCMI CMI: $530 standard initial fees ($40 registration + $190 written + $300 oral). NBCMI Hub-CMI: $230 standard initial fees ($40 registration + $190 written). These totals assume one attempt at each required exam and exclude training, proficiency testing, travel, retakes, and renewal. Confirm any discount with the certifier.
What is CoreCHI-P and why does it matter?
CoreCHI-P combines the CoreCHI knowledge exam with the English-to-English ETOE performance exam. It does not directly assess interpreting in your other language. CCHI stops awarding standalone CoreCHI credentials on January 1, 2027; both CHI and CoreCHI-P continue. Current holders should confirm their transition deadline with CCHI.
Do I need certification to work as an interpreter?
Certification is not legally required in most settings, but it significantly increases job opportunities. Many healthcare systems and language service agencies prefer or require certified interpreters. Court interpreting typically requires state certification.
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