I receive numerous requests from individuals who want to become interpreters. I apologize for not answering all your questions personally. Hopefully, the information here will be useful.

 Keep in mind that just because you're bilingual doesn't make you an interpreter. It's not easy, but it's a rewarding career. It'll take anywhere from 1- 3 years of studying and then taking a test to become a certified interpreter. The passing rate averages 7% in California. So good luck to you!

You can still work as an interpreter in areas or fields where the certification is not required. You can gain experience by offering your services at school, church, volunteering in legal clinics, etc.

If some of the links don't work when you click on it, just copy and paste it.

California: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/programs/courtinterpreters/
US District Courts (Federal): http://www.uscourts.gov/interpretprog/interp_prog.html
Southern California School of Interpretation (private school) www.interpreting.com/
UCLA extension program: https://www.uclaextension.edu/fos/LanguagePrograms.aspx

Florida: http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/interpret/index.shtml
Maryland (Excellent source of information): http://www.courts.state.md.us/interpreter/continuingeducation.html
New Jersey:  http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/interpreters/intro.htm
New York: http://www.nycourts.gov/courtinterpreter/
http://www.nynd.uscourts.gov/CourtInt.cfm
http://www.scps.nyu.edu/areas-of-study/foreign-languages/professional-certificates/court-interpreting.html


I'll be adding more information soon!

Disclaimer: I do not endorse or advocate any of the above-mentioned programs. I'm simply providing information in one central location.