Roster of Court Interpreters in Iowa:  To be listed on the Roster an interpreter must meet the basic requirements (at least 18 years old; high school diploma or equivalent; submit an official application to be a court interpreter showing sufficient education and experience to be a qualified interpreter; pass a criminal background check; sign an oath confirming knowledge and understanding of the Code of Professional Conduct for Judicial Branch Interpreters) -- and: 

  

1)       Attend a two-day court interpreter orientation program;  

2)       Pass a multiple-choice exam (135 questions in English) on general English vocabulary, slang, and legal terms & procedures; and  

3)       Pass a multiple-choice exam (25 questions in English) on court interpreter ethics.                       

  

NOTE: Completing these requirements does not mean an interpreter is "certified."      

   

Certified court interpreters (for oral and sign languages) have met the requirements to be on the Roster -- AND -- they have passed a rigorous and nationally recognized interpreter performance (oral or sign language interpretation) exam to verify their knowledge and skills as court interpreters.   

   

Non-certified ORAL language interpreters have not passed an oral interpretation performance exam to verify interpreter competency in their respective languages.   

   

Non-certified SIGN language interpreters, however, have passed a basic interpreter performance test of sign language interpreter competency