Interpreting Fee Schedule
Effective January 1, 2022
Pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 4411(d) and § 4431(d), the Court Administrator establishes the following reasonable fee schedule for onsite, video, and telephonic interpreting services rendered by certified and otherwise qualified interpreters in judicial proceedings and other court services. These fees apply to both foreign and sign language interpretation.
The compensation schedule is subject to periodic review by the Court Administrator.
Onsite, Video, and Telephonic Interpreting Fee Schedule
Interpreter Classification |
Hourly up to 3.5 Hours |
Half and Full Day |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
Hourly
|
30 Minute Increments
|
Half Day
|
Full Day
|
|
| MASTER | $80 | $40 | $260 | $475 |
| CERTIFIED | $65 | $32.50 | $210 | $400 |
| QUALIFIED | $45 | $22.50 | $140 | $270 |
| CONDITIONAL | $35 | $17.50 | $105 | $200 |
| REGISTERED | $60 | $30 | $200 | $390 |
| Rare or uncommon languages and interpreters from resource lists provided by the ICP | Interpreters in this category will be compensated based on their qualifications, experience, type of case, and language within the parameters of the compensation schedule and the guidelines. Note: Rare or uncommon languages are languages of low diffusion not listed in the ICP Roster. |
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A. Onsite Interpreting Provisions
1. Assignments. An assignment is the contracted timeframe for which the interpreter is retained regardless of the number of cases scheduled within that timeframe. For example, when interpreters are assigned to several cases at various courts in the same judicial district/county which are scheduled sequentially on the same day, that constitutes an assignment, and compensation will be based on the total time worked in that district that day. The two (2) hour minimum applies per assignment, not on a per case basis. A half-day consists of three and a half (3.5) hours, and a full day consists of seven (7) hours.
2. Cancellation. Cancellations are based on business days and exclude weekends and holidays.
i. Interpreters who receive at least forty-eight (48) hours’ advance notice of a cancellation, excluding weekends and holidays, are not entitled to a cancellation fee.
ii. Hourly, half, and one day assignments. If cancellation occurs with less than forty-eight (48) hours' notice provided to the interpreter, excluding weekends and holidays, the cancellation fee shall be equivalent to two (2) hours' pay based on the hourly rate and interpreter classification.
iii. Multiple day assignments. When the interpreter is hired for an assignment lasting two (2) or more days, if cancellation occurs with less than forty-eight (48) hours' notice provided to the interpreter, excluding weekends and holidays, the cancellation fee shall be equivalent to one (1) full day compensation for the first day and two (2) hours for each additional day based on interpreter classification. If a case ends before the contracted time (e.g., an interpreter is retained for a three (3) day trial, but the case settles after the first day), an interpreter will be entitled to two (2) hours pay for each canceled day.
iv. Interpreters will be entitled to reimbursement of any incurred expenses in accordance with Section 4.
v. When the interpreter cancels an assignment, there will be no compensation.
3. Compensation, time extensions, and overtime.
i. Minimum compensation. When hired at an hourly rate, interpreters are entitled to a two (2) hour minimum guaranteed compensation per assignment based on the interpreter's credentialing level.
ii. Hourly Rate. The first two hours are paid according to the table above. After the second hour, compensation will be paid at half (1/2) the hourly rate in thirty (30) minute increments based on the interpreter credentialing level. Judicial districts are strongly encouraged to consider hiring at the half- or full-day rate when assignments are expected to go over two (2) hours and when hiring for more than one case.
iii. Half-day rate. The first three and a half (3.5) hours are paid according to the table above. Assignments that exceed three and a half (3.5) hours but are less than seven (7) hours long will be paid at half (1/2) the hourly rate in thirty (30) minute increments based on the interpreter’s credentialing level.
iv. Full-day rate. A full-day rate consists of seven (7) hours paid according to the table above.
v. Overtime. Overtime will be paid only when an assignment exceeds a full day (7 hours). Overtime compensation will be in hourly increments at one and a half (1.5) times the hourly rate based on the interpreter’s credentialing level.
vi. Assignments outside normal business hours (5 pm to 8 am). Assignments that occur outside of normal business hours will be paid at one and a half (1.5) times the hourly rate based on the interpreter's credentialing level. A two (2) hour minimum will apply. Additional time will be paid at one and a half (1.5) times the hourly rate in thirty (30) minute increments based on the interpreter's credentialing level.
4. Mileage, parking, tolls, and travel.
i. Mileage will be paid at the prevailing rate in the county or court whenever the interpreter travels more than twenty-five (25) miles round trip to an assignment. If no mileage rate is set locally, mileage will be paid at the prevailing Internal Revenue Service rate. Tolls will be reimbursed with proof of payment (e.g., detailed bills evidencing payment, receipts, and/or canceled checks).
ii. Parking will be paid in full when no free parking exists within a five (5)-block radius of the assignment location. Parking will not be paid when free parking is provided.
iii. Travel time will be paid when the interpreter travels more than two (2) hours round trip from the interpreter’s normal business address or location to an assignment. Travel time will be paid at half (½) the hourly compensation rate for the interpreter's classification.
iv. Travel by public transportation. If travel by bus, train, or plane is required, the interpreter is entitled to full reimbursement of travel costs. Courts are encouraged to make the necessary travel arrangements.
v. Overnight accommodations. If overnight hotel accommodations are required for the completion of an assignment, this expense is reimbursable to the interpreter. Courts are encouraged to make the necessary reservations themselves at a local hotel close to the assignment location. The interpreter is also entitled to a per diem for overnight assignments based on the prevailing federal CONUS rates.
vi. Proof of payment (e.g., detailed bills evidencing payment, receipts, and/or canceled checks) must accompany all requests for reimbursement.
5. Interpreting Equipment. Interpreters are not allowed to charge for the use of their own interpreting equipment. Courts are encouraged to purchase interpreting equipment and make it available to interpreters.
B. Video and Telephonic Interpreting Provisions
1. Assignments. An assignment is the contracted timeframe for which the interpreter is retained regardless of the number of cases scheduled within that timeframe. For example, when interpreters are assigned to several cases at various courts in the same judicial district/county which are scheduled sequentially on the same day, that constitutes an assignment, and compensation will be based on the total time worked in that district that day. The two (2) hour minimum applies per assignment, not on a per case basis.
2. Cancellation. Cancellations are based on business days and exclude weekends and holidays.
i. Interpreters who receive at least forty-eight (48) hours’ advance notice of a cancellation, excluding weekends and holidays, are not entitled to a cancellation fee.
ii. Hourly assignments. If cancellation occurs with less than forty-eight (48) hours' notice, excluding weekends and holidays, the cancellation fee shall be equivalent to two (2) hours' pay based on the hourly rate and interpreter classification.
iii. Half- and full-day assignments. If cancellation occurs with less than forty-eight (48) hours' notice, excluding weekends and holidays, the cancellation fee shall be equivalent to two (2) hours' pay based on the hourly rate and interpreter classification.
iv. When the interpreter cancels an assignment, there will be no compensation.
3. Compensation, time extensions, and overtime.
i. Start time. The time at which the interpreter begins to receive payment for services rendered is when the interpreter connects remotely to the courtroom or is asked to be available, not the time when the proceeding actually begins (e.g., start time in the hearing notice), or when the judge takes the bench.
ii. Minimum compensation. When hired at an hourly rate, interpreters are entitled to a two (2) hour minimum guaranteed compensation per assignment based on the interpreter's credentialing level.
iii. Hourly rate. The first two hours are paid according to the table above. After the first two hours, compensation will be paid in thirty (30) minute increments at one-half (1/2) the hourly rate for the next one and a half (1.5) hours based on the interpreter's credentialing level. Judicial districts are strongly encouraged to consider hiring at the half- or full-day rate when assignments are expected to go over two (2) hours and when hiring for more than one case.
iv. Half-day rate. The first three and a half (3.5) hours are paid according to the table above. Assignments that exceed three and a half (3.5) hours but are less than seven (7) hours long will be paid at half (1/2) the hourly rate in thirty (30) minute increments based on the interpreter’s credentialing level.
v. Full-day rate. A full-day rate consists of seven (7) hours paid according to the table above.
vi. Overtime. Overtime will be paid only when an assignment exceeds a full day (7 hours). Overtime compensation will be in hourly increments, at one and a half (1.5) times the hourly rate based on the interpreter’s credentialing level.
vii. Remote assignments outside normal business hours (5 pm to 8 am). Remote assignments outside of normal business hours via video or phone will be paid at one and a half (1.5) times the hourly rate based on the interpreter's credentialing level. A two (2) hour minimum will apply. Additional time will be paid at one and a half (1.5) times the hourly rate in thirty (30) minute increments based on the interpreter's credentialing level.
4. Time commitment.
i. Interpreters should be notified about the expected length of the assignment by the court (i.e., by the language access coordinator or assignment clerk) when contracted. This will be based on the best estimate available to the court at the time of hiring.
ii. Interpreters must remain available for the duration of the contracted time, including the first two hours when hired at the hourly rate unless they are released by the court prior to the expiration of their contracted time. When a case lasts less than two hours, interpreters must check with the language access coordinator or assignment clerk to see if they are needed elsewhere before being released.
iii. As a best practice, interpreters should allow at least thirty (30) minutes between cases when contracting to provide services remotely unless cases are scheduled sequentially in the same judicial district. This allows for a smooth transition between assignments.
iv. When reporting for a remote assignment, the interpreter must always advise the court if they have another matter scheduled after the expected time commitment they agreed to when hired for the case.
v. Under no circumstances will the interpreter leave an ongoing matter due to a scheduled conflict with an upcoming assignment without the consent of the presiding judicial officer. The interpreter must alert the presiding judicial officer of any possibility of a scheduling conflict and wait for the court to conclude the matter before withdrawing from the call. If necessary, the interpreter should be given an opportunity to inform their client for the next assignment that they are delayed.
vi. Any interpreter who intentionally leaves a video or telephonic assignment before the expiration of the agreed length of time for which the interpreter was contracted, without the consent of the presiding judicial officer, will not be compensated for any time worked on the case.
5. Equipment considerations.
i. The interpreter shall have the necessary equipment, hardware, software, and internet broadband connection, to provide effective video and telephone interpretation and will maintain such equipment in proper working order. The equipment must be compatible with the various platforms and solutions used by judicial districts. The use of an Ethernet connection, headphones, and microphones for providing video remote interpretation is preferred and considered a best practice.
ii. A fast and secure wired connection is preferred for providing telephonic interpretation during both court proceedings and conference calls and when using a separate line to provide simultaneous interpretation during video calls. This is due to security and privacy concerns and to the unreliability and vulnerability of mobile devices and wireless signals. If a mobile wireless device is used, the interpreter must make sure they are in a location with a strong signal and are working within a secure network.
iii. Interpretation should be provided from a quiet location free of noise and distraction, preferably from a designated space in the interpreter’s office or home. It is considered best practice to use neutral background and noise cancellation headphones. Video remote interpretation (VRI) should never be done from a vehicle or while driving.
iv. Interpretation should not be done over speakerphone when the interpreter is in a location that does not provide privacy and a quiet, secure environment.
v. Interpreters are not allowed to charge for the use of their own interpreting equipment.