How to become an AOC Court Interpreter

Spoken Languages:

All prospective interpreters for non-English speaking parties must successfully complete requirements stipulated in the Arkansas Supreme Court per Curiam Order dated September 30, 1999 and in the Requirements for Certification of Foreign Language Interpreters in the Arkansas Courts dated January 1, 2008.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) maintains a Registry of Interpreters and makes it available to state and local courts.  An applicant who successfully completes Phase I requirements will be listed on the Registry as a Candidate for Certification and will be eligible to interpret in Arkansas courts for misdemeanor cases.  As available, pursuant to Section 7 of the Requirements for Certification, an AOC Certified Interpreter may accompany a candidate to courtroom proceedings to observe and assist in the furtherance of training for the candidate.

Phase I – Becoming a Candidate for Certification

Application to Persue Certification

• Submit an application  (See Section 3 of the REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION)
• Earn a passing score on the Basic Written Language Exam (See Section 4 of the REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION)
• Complete Orientation & Training (See Section 5 of the REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION)
• Agree to adhere to the Arkansas Code of Professional Responsibility (See Section 6 of the REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION)

Phase II – Becoming a Certified Interpreter

• Earn a passing score on the Examination (See Section 8 of the REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION)
• Reciprocity (See Section 8 of the REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION)

You MUST thoroughly read, fully understand and follow the Requirements for Certification to participate in the AOC program.

Candidates must have an approved application on file in order to register for the written exam. Click on this link to view – Written Exam Memo

Please read the memo regarding the Written Exam prior to completing the Registration forms. Click on this link to view – Written Exam Registration Form

Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing aspiring to interpret in the Arkansas court system must be members in good standing of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and hold certification from either RID or the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).  Interpreters must strictly adhere to the tenets contained in the RID Code of Professional Conduct and also in Administrative Order Number 11, Arkansas Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Judiciary.

We contract directly with certified interpreters and through Communication Plus.  If you are interested in contracting with the AOC directly, please contact the Interpreter Program at (501) 682-9400.  Interpreters must also complete Orientation and Training and sign off on the Arkansas Code of Professional Responsibility.

Requirements for Certification
Arkansas Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Judiciary
Arkansas Supreme Court per Curiam Order
Role of the Court Interpreter & Modes of Interpreting
FAQs
RID Code of Professional Conduct
Resources for Training Opportunities