Interpretation is the act of converting one spoken language to another spoken language. Translation is converting one written language to another.

While being bilingual is certainly a prerequisite, being a competent medical interpreter requires a range of specialized health care knowledge and vocabulary in English and another language, as well as skill in the process of interpreting. Bilingual individuals need to acquire skills and knowledge specific to interpreting in health settings to become competent health care interpreters.

Medical interpretation requires specialized knowledge of anatomy, physiology, terminology, procedures, and practices related to health and healthcare settings. Additionally, Standards of Practice and Codes of Ethics for health care interpreters differ substantially from other types of interpreting.

Spanish is the most often requested language other than English in health care settings in Oregon. Other languages such as Russian and Vietnamese are also very commonly requested. However, less common languages may also be in high demand in certain areas due to a scarcity of interpreters in these languages.

The state of Oregon can qualify health care interpreters in any language for which proficiency testing is available. See “Learn about Qualification” page for links to OHA approved language proficiency testing centers and other details.

The State certifies health care interpreters in languages for which national certification testing is available – either from the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) or the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI). Languages currently available for certification are: Spanish (NBCMI and CCHI), Mandarin (CCHI), and Arabic (CCHI). NBCMI anticipates adding certification in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Russian by the end of 2012. For updates on languages available for certification, check the NBCMI and CCHI websites.

The Health Care Interpreter Registry is a database of working health care interpreters in Oregon. The registry includes three types of interpreters: those who have met only the requirements for registration; Qualified Health Care Interpreters; and Certified Health Care Interpreters.
Information about enrolling in the Health Care Interpreter Registry

1. Enrolling in the Registry is required to become an Oregon Qualified or Oregon Certified Health Care Interpreter.
   
   
2. Enrolling in the Registry allows employers seeking interpreters in your area to contact you.
   
   
3. Employers will be able to verify your qualification or certification status through the Registry.
   
   
4. The Registry helps the State to better understand interpreters working in Oregon, the communities they serve, and how to best support the profession.

The HCI Registry is a database of working health care interpreters in Oregon. Interpreters may choose to either:

1. Enroll in the Registry before applying for qualification or certification.
   
        OR
   
   
2. Submit an HCI Registry enrollment form as part of an application for qualification or certification.
   
   

Information about enrolling in the Health Care Interpreter Registry

A Qualified Health Care Interpreter is an individual who has demonstrated proficiency in both English and a second language, and has met formal HCI training and work experience requirements. Qualification is available to interpreters in any language for which proficiency testing is available. Because certification is available for only a limited number of languages, Qualification is the highest credential currently available in certain languages.

Information about becoming a Qualified Health Care Interpreter

Certification is the highest level of credential available from the State of Oregon, and is achieved by oral and written examination, along with formal training and experience. Certification establishes interpreting skills and medical knowledge as well as language proficiency.

Information about becoming a Certified Health Care Interpreter

Qualified interpreters have demonstrated proficiency in both English and a second language, and have met formal training and experience requirements.

Certified interpreters have met all the requirements for qualification, and they have also passed written and oral exams to demonstrate their interpreting knowledge and skills.

Overview of requirements for registration, qualification, or certification as a Health Care Interpreter in Oregon.

Yes you can. For languages that offer certification, qualification can serve as a step on the path to certification. The HCI Program recommends that all HCIs become Certified if certification is available in their language.

Please note that Oregon Qualified Health Care Interpreter status is not renewable in languages for which certification is available (per OAR 333.002). Interpreters must advance from the Qualified to the Certified HCI credential within 3 years, if certification is available in their language. (See Oregon Certified Health Care Interpreter information). For languages in which certification is not available, qualification may be renewed every 36 months.

No. Interpreters have the choice to enroll in the Registry before becoming Qualified or Certified. They can also apply directly for Oregon qualification or certification, as long as they meet all the requirements. Applicants may submit their Registry enrollment form along with their qualification or certification application at no additional cost. See HCI Program Overview page for more details.

No, it does not.

No. Oregon's health care interpreter law and Administrative Rules outline specific requirements for enrolling in the HCI Registry, as well as for qualification and certification in Oregon. At present there are no reciprocity agreements with other states, so being certified by another state does not grant you certification in Oregon.

Interpreters who passed the NBCMI or CCHI certification exams before March 1, 2011 can become Certified in Oregon without meeting Oregon's HCI training and work experience requirements. These interpreters need only to submit their verification of passing the certification exam, registry enrollment form, and $30 certification application fee to become and Oregon Certified Health Care Interpreter. For more information, see “steps to certification” page.

Interpreters who passed the NBCMI or CCHI certification exams after March 1, 2011 need to meet Oregon's training and work experience requirements to become Certified in Oregon. Passing the NBCMI or CCHI certification exams will serve as verification of language proficiency. For more information, see “steps to certification” page.

Please note that by law, the HCI program charges one fee per application. Interpreters who choose to apply at different times for registry enrollment, qualification, and/or certification will be assessed the fee associated with each application.

• Registry Enrollment
  Enroll in the Oregon Health Care Interpreter Registry only (without applying for qualification or certification). Fee: $25 per application
Note: Registry enrollment can also be completed with qualification or certification applications and the interpreter pays only the qualification or certification fee.
• Qualified or Certified HCI Credential applications
  Qualified Health Care Interpreter application. Fee: $25 per application
  Certified Health Care Interpreter application. Fee: $30 per application
Note: Interpreters can apply directly for Oregon qualification or certification, as long as they meet all the requirements. Applicants may submit their registry enrollment application along with their qualification or certification application at no additional cost.
• Additional Costs
  Fees related to training, language proficiency testing, and certification testing vary, and are payable directly to the organizations providing the training and testing services. See “learn about Qualification” and “learn about Certification” pages for details.

At this time they are voluntary. However, an increasing number of health care providers and health systems in Oregon are expecting that the interpreters they employ are Qualified or Certified.

Most languages not available for certification are available for qualification. The HCI program encourages all interpreters to become qualified and/or certified if the credentials are available in their language. If you have questions about whether qualification or certification is available in your language, please contact the Oregon Health Care Interpreter Program at hci.program@state.or.us.

If you speak a language that cannot be qualified or certified by the State, you may still work as an interpreter and you may still register but there will be no state credential offered at this time. It will be the responsibility of the employer to verify your competency. It is still a good idea to become registered as this will enroll you in the central registry of health care interpreters.

Training Programs which satisfy the Oregon HCI training requirements are:

• Oregon Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Spanish Health Care Interpreter Training Program
• PCC CLIMB Health Care Interpreter Training Program