Frequently Asked Questions

The Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) Licensed Court Interpreter program tests, licenses, and regulates those individuals who provide interpretations in a court room for individuals who do not speak English.

There is no government credential for translators, but some licensed court interpreters also provide this service. You may also find legal translators with various credentials in the directories of professional organizations like the following:

• Texas Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators

• National Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators

• American Translators Association

JBCC's Licensed Court Interpreters Frequently Asked Questions page provides information for those interested in becoming a licensed court interpreter for a spoken language.

OCA moderates a free Interpreter Locator Listserv to assist courts and court staff.

Please visit our Interpretation & Translation home page for information on sign language interpreters.  The following article may also be helpful:

• Brian East and Lia Davis.  "Ensuring Equal Access to Justice for Individuals Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing."  Your Honor-Summer 2015 (2015): 20-23.  Print.