Frequently Asked Questions
What is medical interpreter training?
This 60-hour live, online course is designed to prepare bilingual individuals for professional certification as a medical or healthcare interpreter. Upon completion, students will have received the necessary training to become a qualified medical or healthcare interpreter and help them pass either of the two recognized national certification exams. Additionally, graduates will be eligible to further their training with a 100-hour Interpreter Clinical Rotation in which they can gain hands-on, real-world experience within an actual healthcare setting, such as a hospital, clinic, or medical office.
What are the minimum requirements to get certified?
The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) and the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) require the following:
- Age 18 or older
- Minimum high school diploma or GED, or the equivalent from another country
- Language proficiency in both English and a second language (click “View more”)
- Successful completion of at least 40 hours of interpreter training
How long is the course?
The InterpreterEd.com program is a 60-hour live, online course. We know many of our students need flexible schedules, so we may offer a variety of class times:
- One-week program (five consecutive days)
- Daytime and evening classes
- Weekday and weekend classes
Upon completion, graduates may continue training with practical, real-world experience in a healthcare setting by participating in the Interpreter Clinical Rotation. It is a great opportunity to apply the skills, roles, and ethics of interpreting learned in the classroom.
How much does the InterpreterEd.com program cost?
The total cost for the program is $695. This includes your bilingual assessment, 60-hour course fees, core terminology e-book, online access to the course textbook and medical terminology book, and the certificate of completion.
A payment plan is available. For more information and consideration, please submit the payment plan application form.
How much does it cost to continue with the hands-on training?
There is no cost to InterpreterEd.com graduates. We encourage our graduates to take advantage of this 100-hour Interpreter Clinical Rotation opportunity to further prepare for the national certification exam.
Who should take this course?
Qualified, bilingual individuals, 18 or older, who want to help patients with limited English-speaking skills, and their families, communicate better with U.S. healthcare professionals.
Will I qualify to take the certification exam for medical healthcare interpreters?
The requirements for each certification exam vary. It is the student’s responsibility to meet all requirements set forth by the respective certification organizations. Generally, the minimum requirements are:
- Age 18 or older
- High school diploma from a U.S. high school or equivalent abroad
- Demonstrated proficiency in the two languages being interpreted
- Completion of a minimum 40-hour course in medical healthcare interpreting
When does the next course start?
New classes are always starting, so check our class calendar often.
Can I take this course in my language? What languages do you support?
Our program is taught in English and is language supportive. Your languages of service can be any language plus English. So, yes, you can take the course in your language. See a sample list of languages.
How can I take the InterpreterEd.com bilingual assessment and what is the cost?
All potential students must pass the InterpreterEd.com bilingual assessment to be accepted into the program. This is a more in-depth evaluation and costs $90.00.* For more information, call (800) 673-6923.
*The assessment fee is applied toward the program fees if the student passes the assessment and enrolls.
I have taken other language proficiency assessments. Do I still need to take the InterpreterEd.com bilingual assessment?
Yes, all applicants must take and pass this important assessment.
I am already working as an interpreter and want to take the certification exam for interpreters. Why do I need to take this course?
Taking this course will help you prepare for national certification. The 60-hour InterpreterEd.com program provides an excellent refresher and update of current best practices and standards. Understanding the most current standards and accepted best practices is important to successfully passing the certification exam.
What are the requirements to do the Interpreter Clinical Rotation?
In order to be accepted into this hands-on program, you must first successfully complete the 60-hour InterpreterEd.com program. For patient safety reasons, most healthcare organizations will also require that your immunizations are current:
- Two MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccines over the course of a lifetime
- Hepatitis B vaccine, at least the first shot of the three-shot series before beginning the clinical rotation
- Negative TB skin test within the last three months or a negative chest X-ray within the last year
Some institutions may have additional requirements.
What happens to my fees if the course is canceled?
See our Payments and Refund Policy.
What if I have already registered but can’t take the course?
See our Payments and Refund Policy.
I am interested in the 60-hour InterpreterEd.com program. How do I find out if my language skills are at the required level to take the course?
Take our free basic online quiz and follow the steps.
The basic online quiz is a free tool to assess a potential student’s basic bilingual abilities in select languages. However, passing the online quiz does not guarantee that an applicant will pass the formal bilingual assessment. It is, however, your first step.
What are the differences between the credentials offered by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) and the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)?
Both have similar standards, and this helpful infographic highlights the key differences.
What is The InterpreterEd.com Guarantee?
Our course meets the training requirements of CCHI and NBCMI, the two organizations that certify healthcare interpreters in the U.S. We encourage all of our students to become certified by either organization. When you successfully graduate from our course, we guarantee that you will pass your national certification exam, if you take it within 6 months of course completion, or we will refund your tuition. Get the details.
How do I sign up for the course?
- Purchase your required bilingual assessment. (Or to save time, purchase the course bundle, which is the bilingual assessment plus the course. If you don’t pass your assessment, we will refund you the price of the course.)
- We’ll email you to find a time to schedule your assessment.
- Do your assessment at the agreed upon time. It’s conducted over the phone and lasts about 30 minutes.
- After you pass your assessment, purchase the course.
- Fill out and submit the online admission form.
- We’ll email you information about your course materials and how to log in to the course platform.
