Resources for Interpreters #8: Interpreter Certification in the U.S. and Australia: CCHI and NAATI

Interpreter certification is a pathway to professionalization, higher pay and recognition. It improves the professional quality of interpreters. Overall, certification leads to more credibility for the field. But certification is complicated! It is hard to implement. And controversial… Join two national experts from the U.S. and Australia: Natalya Mytereva, executive director of the U.S. Certification Commission of Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) and Aurélie Sheehan of Australia’s National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). They will compare their two programs: a U.S. national healthcare interpreter certification and Australia’s national generalist certification. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each program? How do they manage the less common languages? Should artificial intelligence (AI) be used to rate the exams? How much training do interpreters need to pass these exams—and why? Does accreditation matter? Come and learn what every interpreter needs to know about certification! Learning objectives: 1. Contrast and compare two national certification programs from the U.S. and Australia. 2. Identify strengths and weaknesses in each of the two programs. 3. Assess the key necessary components of any national certification program for interpreters.