Reciprocity Information

Does Pennsylvania accept certifications from other states?

Interpreters who have successfully completed the qualification requirements and the oral proficiency exam administered in another state member of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Conference of Language Access Coordinators (CLAC) may apply for reciprocity.

Pennsylvania does not accept partial test results from other states. Candidates must complete their certification in the state where they started testing before being eligible to request reciprocity.

Candidates must obtain a minimum of 70 percent on all three parts of the oral proficiency exam and provide a copy of the results. The candidate must have passed all three parts of the oral examination within one testing cycle. If oral exams do not exist for the language, candidates must have passed an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) for the foreign language, with a Superior score of 10 on the ALTA comparison scale, as well as haven taken and passed an English Screening Language test with a passing score of Superior.  A letter from the state's program manager certifying the results and confirming the candidate’s good standing with their state program is also required. Candidates must complete the Self-Guided Orientation. Candidates must attend the Skill-Building Workshop if they do not possess at least 5 years of credentialed court interpreting experience. Candidates must pass a background check, agree to uphold the interpreter rules of conduct and professional responsibility and follow program policies and regulations. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, pay a $50 reciprocity fee, and agree to comply with the continued education requirements to renew certification every two years.

Please visit the registration page and submit the applicable form along with the requested documentation for review of eligibility.

Please note that if you are actively testing in another state or have not passed all exams at the above standards yet, you are not eligible to test in Pennsylvania.

Does Pennsylvania accept the Federal certification credential?

Interpreters holding the Federal Court Interpreter credential are granted reciprocity under the same conditions explained above with regard to other states. They must attend the self-guided orientation, pass a background check, agree to uphold the interpreter code of ethics, be at least 18 years of age, pay a $50 reciprocity fee and comply with the continued education requirements to renew certification.