What kinds of DSHS certification
and qualification testing are available?
DSHS currently certifies social service interpreters, medical interpreters,
translators, and DSHS active/potential bilingual employees, mental health
licensed agency personnel in Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese,
Cantonese Chinese, Korean, Cambodian, and Laotian. The Department also qualifies
social service interpreters and medical interpreters in all other languages
(screening test).
Will I get a certificate when I pass the screening
test?
Instead of a certificate, interpreters who pass the screening test will be
issued an authorization letter. The authorization letter qualifies an interpreter
to serve DSHS clients.
Where do I get detailed information about
DSHS language certification and testing?
The Examination Manual (in Word format) provides
detailed information on certification and testing.
What is the difference between an interpreter
and a translator?
An interpreter is a person who orally transfers a message from one spoken
language to another. A translator is a person who transfers a message in
writing from one language to another.
How do you define a certified/authorized interpreter?
A certified/authorized interpreter is a person who has passed the required
DSHS interpreter examination, or has passed the interpreter examination offered
by the Washington State Office of the Administrator for the Courts or the
Federal Courts.
How do you define a certified translator?
A certified translator is a person who has passed the required DSHS written
translation examination, or has passed the American Translators Association
written translation examination.
How do I register for a test?
To register for a test, please follow the steps under "Test Registration" in
the Examination Manual (Word format).
You can remove and use the examination application form (the last page of
the hardcopy Examination Manual), or download the Examination Application (05-218) (Word format) from our
website.
Can I submit my test application online?
No. Since we are not set up to take credit cards or debit cards, you can
only submit your test application by mailing to LTC your completed Examination
Application (05-218) (Word format) form with the appropriate payment in the form of
a personal check, bank check, or money order.
Can I register for a test over the telephone?
No. You can only register for a test by submitting a completed Examination
Application form and the appropriate payment to the address on the application
form (except DSHS employees).
How do I get pretest materials to prepare for the
test?
A pretest package including study guides will be sent to you after we process
your test application. The pretest package will not be sent to you before
you register for a test.
Will the pretest package give me what is needed
to pass the test?
The study guides in the pretest package are intended to familiarize you with
the formats of the test and how test items are constructed. The study guides
will help you know what to expect on the test, but will not be enough to
help you improve your language ability, your interpreting skills, or your
knowledge base in any particular field.
Where do I get a testing schedule so that I can
pick my test date and time?
Since our test sites have limited capacity and the number of candidates registering
for testing varies, it is not practical to publish a testing schedule. You
cannot pick a test date and time. A test date and time will be assigned to
you when we process your test application.
What if the test date or time assigned to me
conflicts with my own schedule?
If the assigned test date or time does not work for you, you need to call
our office 1-(360)664-6111 within ten (10) calendar days
from the date your confirmation letter is sent to reschedule your test. Otherwise,
you will have to pay another test fee to reschedule your test. It is crucial
to talk to the scheduler at this phone number. If you leave a message on
the voice mail, it is your responsibility to follow through with your request
within the ten-day (10) time frame. Any oral or written request after the
10-day time frame will not be honored.
How long does it take to schedule my test after
I send in my test application?
It takes about four (4) weeks after we receive your test application to schedule
your test.
Can I call your office to check on my test schedule
status?
We are extremely short-staffed with very high volume of work. Please, do
not call our office for your schedule status. However, if you do not receive
your test confirmation letter four (4) weeks after you submit your test application
and payment, you should call us at (360)664-6111.
How long does it take to get my test scores?
It takes approximately four (4) weeks to grade the written test, and approximately
six (6) weeks to grade the oral test.
Can I call your office to find out my test scores?
Test scores will not be released over the telephone. A score report letter
will be sent to you once your scores are available. However, if you have
not received your test score two (2) months after your test date, you should
call our office to check your score status.
How long does it take to get the certificate/authorization
letter after I pass all test requirements?
If your score report letter states that you have met all test requirements
and are now considered certified or authorized as an interpreter, a certificate/authorization
letter will be mailed to you the following month from the month of your score
report letter. For example, if your score report letter is dated 7/1/2002,
your certificate/authorization letter will be mailed to you at the beginning
of August, 2002.
Can I request a list of certified or authorized interpreters/translators?
Some information on the lists of certified or authorized interpreters/translators
is considered confidential. As such, lists of certified or authorized interpreters/translators
are only available to agencies that provide language services. The lists
are not available to private individuals.
How do I request a list of certified or authorized
interpreters/translators for my agency use?
Lists of certified or authorized interpreters/translators are only available
in electronic format. No hard copies are available due to the size of these
lists. Electronic copies of the lists (in Microsoft Excel format) will be
sent via email upon request. A request has to be made via e-mail (address: DSHSCT@dshs.wa.gov) with the following information:
Your full name; name of your agency; your position in the agency; how the
lists will be used; specific type(s) of list needed. The lists will be sent
as attachments when we reply to your e-mail, so please e-mail your request
from an e-mail address to which you want us to send the lists.
How do I let you know about an address, phone
number, or name change?
You should inform us in writing. For a name change request, a court document
(photo copy) such as a marriage or divorce certificate should be attached
to your written request. Your current mailing address and phone numbers are
also necessary.
I misplaced my certificate. Can I request a replacement?
You may send your request to us in writing or via e-mail (dshsct@dshs.wa.gov)
with the following information: your full name, social security number, language,
and certificate type (medical, social service, or translator). Your current
mailing address and phone numbers are also necessary.
What policies apply to the DSHS language testing
and certification process?
All policies applying to testing and certification are included in the Examination
Manual. The same policies can also be found in the Washington Administrative
Code (WAC388-03) (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=388-03).
You can find the answer to your specific question in either document.
How do I get interpreting and translation work once
I am certified or authorized?
Once you are assigned a certificate number or authorization number in your
score report letter, you are considered a certified or authorized interpreter
or translator. DSHS does not employ interpreters and translators directly.
Instead, we contract with external agencies to provide language services
to our clients. If you are looking for work as an interpreter or translator,
you need to contact the DSHS contracted agencies. A list of these agencies
is enclosed in your score report letter when you pass all test requirements.
More information about DSHS interpreter services can be found at the following
website: http://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/maa/InterpreterServices or
call the Interpreter Services Program at (360) 725-1721.
I am a certified/authorized interpreter and I want
to provide services to DSHS. What should I do if I am not able to secure
a contract with a language agency?
You should call DSHS Interpreter Services Program with your concerns: 360-725-1721
or 360-725-1316 or 360-725-1313.
I have a contract with a language agency to serve
DSHS. What should I do if I rarely or never get any interpreting assignment?
You should call the agency you contract with. You should also call DSHS Interpreter
Services Program with your concerns: 360-725-1316 or 360-725-1313 or 360-725-1721.
I am a certified/authorized interpreter/translator.
How do I set up my own interpreter/translation agency?
If you plan to set up your own language agency, please contact Business Licensing
at the Department of Licensing (http://www.dol.wa.gov/businesses.htm).
Contact information for Business License Information can also be found in
the Government Pages in your phone book.
I do not live in Washington State. Can I take your test
to become a certified/authorized interpreter/translator?
We only test people who are available to serve DSHS clients in Washington
State.
I am certified as an interpreter/translator by an
entity other than your agency. Do I still need to be certified by your agency
to serve your clients?
Certificates issued by entities other than Washington State DSHS will be
considered on a case by case basis. Please contact dshsct@dshs.wa.gov with
your inquiry.
How do I get certified as an American Sign Language
(ASL) interpreter?
Please contact the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (www1.dshs.wa.gov/hrsa/odhh) in
the Department of Social and Health Services for information about becoming
an ASL interpreter. Their contact information can also be found in the Government
Pages in your phone book.
How do I get certified as a court/legal interpreter?
Please contact the Office of the Administrator for the Courts (www.courts.wa.gov)
for information about becoming a court certified interpreter. Their contact
information can also be found in the Government Pages in your phone book.
Frequently Asked Questions about DSHS Language Services
