The Oklahoma Supreme Court is committed to ensuring equal access to justice for all individuals regardless of their ability to communicate in the spoken English language. Interpreters play an essential role in ensuring due process and helping court proceedings function efficiently and effectively. To further this important goal, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma has approved a credentialing program for interpreters in the Oklahoma courts, as recommended by the Board of Examiners of Certified Courtroom Interpreters.

The purpose of this registry is to help the public and the Oklahoma courts locate and provide qualified spoken-language interpreters. Courtroom interpreters are utilized on a freelance basis and are not employees of the courts. The fact that an interpreter is listed on this registry does not indicate an employment relationship with the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Courts, or any of the courts in the Oklahoma judicial system.

Levels of Courtroom Interpreter Credentials:

Two levels of courtroom interpreter certifications for spoken languages are recognized in the Oklahoma courts:

• "Certified Courtroom Interpreters" - the highest level of credential, and
• "Registered Courtroom Interpreters" - the second highest level of credential

A candidate must first become Registered, and then he or she may apply to take the examination to become Certified.

In addition, the Board maintains a list of "Provisional Status Interpreters." Provisional Interpreters do not possess an official certification and have not achieved the higher levels of training and qualifications required of Registered and Certified Interpreters. To find interpreters who have obtained any of these credentials, please see the Registry Lists below.

Oklahoma Orientation Training Program

The required two-day training course as mentioned above is regularly offered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. To access additional information regarding the program, a schedule of upcoming classes, and an application form, please see the links below.

Certified Courtroom Interpreters

Once an interpreter has met all of the requirements to become a Registered Courtroom Interpreter in Oklahoma, s/he is then eligible to take an oral examination (provided by the National Center for State Courts) to become a Certified Courtroom Interpreter. While registration indicates a basic level of proficiency, certification as a court interpreter indicates the highest skill level and tests the interpreter in all three modes of court interpreting. Certification is a generally recognized standard in most state court systems. The oral certification examination is administered in Oklahoma twice per year. Refer to the application form below for Oral Exam details and dates.

Certification by Reciprocity

Foreign language interpreters possessing certification by another state court or federal court interpreter program may apply for Oklahoma certification without fulfilling the training and examination requirements. To qualify, a reciprocity candidate must prove that he or she holds a current certification by at least one of the following credentialing authorities:

• The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination Program (FCICE), or
• Another state court which administers certification examinations developed by the NCSC, or
• The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT) Spanish interpreter certification.

All reciprocity applicants must read and agree to be bound by the Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Oklahoma Courts, pass a background check, and must meet all other requirements as set forth in the Rules. For further information, please see the Rules, instructions and forms linked below.

For additional information regarding the Oklahoma Certified Courtroom Interpreter Program, please email Michelle Peguero, Language Access Program Coordinator, Administrative Office of the Courts, at [email protected] or Gina Antipov, Director of Court Services, Administrative Office of the Courts, at [email protected].