Learn about Qualification
On this page:
What is a Qualified Health Care Interpreter?
Qualified vs. Certified — what's the difference?
Requirements for Qualification
How to apply to be an Oregon Qualified Health Care Interpreter
Renewal of Qualified Health Care Interpreter Status
What is a Qualified Health Care Interpreter?
An Oregon Qualified Health Care interpreter is an interpreter 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.
Qualified vs. Certified — what's the difference?
- Qualified interpreters have demonstrated proficiency in both English and a second language, and have met formal HCI training and work 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. (More information about certification)
- Certification is only available in a limited number of languages – currently Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic. Additional languages (including Cantonese, Korean, Russian, and Vietnamese) may be available by the end of the 2012; see the NBCMI and CCHI websites for details.
- Qualification is the only credential available for interpreters in languages for which no certification testing yet exists.
- For languages that offer certification, qualification may serve as a step on the path to certification. The HCI Program recommends that all HCIs become Certified if the credential is available in their language.
- Interpreters may choose to apply directly for either qualification or certification as long as they meet all of the requirements. (Overview of requirements for registration, qualification, or certification as a Health Care Interpreter in Oregon.)
Requirements for Qualification:
Registration. Meet all of the requirements for registration:
- At least 18 years of age.
- High school diploma or GED from an accredited school in the United States of America, or an equivalent diploma from another country.
- Fluent in English and another language.
- Review online orientation materials and agree to abide by National Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics for Health Care Interpreters.
Training. Complete at least 60 hours of formal health care interpreter training.
Per OAR 333-002, each HCI applicant for qualification or certification must provide written verification of successful completion of at least 60 hours of formal health care interpreter training at an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) approved training program.
- Training must include a minimum of:
- Fifty-two hours of integrated Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Introductory Health Care Interpreting Concepts and Modes; and
- Eight hours of Health Care Interpreting Ethics.
- Training programs approved by OHA as meeting the Oregon health care interpreter training requirements are:
- PCC CLIMB Health Care Interpreter Training Program.
- New Western Oregon State University, Health Care Interpreter Training Program to launch January 2013. For more information about the WOU Health Care Interpreter Training Program, contact Brian Sly-Haley at extend@wou.edu
- All other HCI training will be reviewed and approved on an individual basis. Requests for review of formal training hours must include academic transcripts or other written documentation of:
- Training topic/content;
- Number of training hours in each topic; and
- Verification of the applicant's successful completion of the course/training.
Note: Interpreters must make arrangements for training directly with the training programs, not through the Oregon HCI Program. Training costs are paid directly to the training programs.
Language Proficiency. Pass a language proficiency evaluation test (speaking and listening) from an OHA approved testing center – or demonstrate having met equivalent language proficiency requirements.
- OHA approved language proficiency testing Centers include:
Note: Interpreters must make arrangements for language proficiency testing directly with the training programs, not through the Oregon HCI Program. Testing costs are paid directly to the language proficiency testing centers.
- Language proficiency may also be demonstrated through previous language or interpreter certification testing, or high school or University degrees obtained in the languages for which proficiency is required (English and L2).
- More information about how to meet Oregon HCI language proficiency requirements.
Work Experience. Have at least 40 hours of documented health care interpreting experience.
How to apply to be an Oregon Qualified Health Care Interpreter
Go to Qualified Health Care Interpreter application steps
Note: Interpreters can now apply directly for qualification, 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.
Renewal of Qualified Health Care Interpreter Status
Oregon Qualified Health Care Interpreter status is valid for 36 months from the date of issue.
Note: Qualification status is not renewable in languages for which certification is available. Interpreters must advance from the Qualified HCI 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.
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