The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination is offered for Spanish/English testing only.
The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examinationis a two-phase examination process of language proficiency and interpretation performance, consisting of a written screener examination (phase one) and an oral examination (phase two). The two examinations are administered in alternate years, with written examinations administered in even years. The written examination tests your language proficiency in English and Spanish. The oral examination tests your level of mastery of the interpreting skills required to interpret in federal court: consecutive and simultaneous interpretation of discourse, and sight translation, all of which must reflect the correct form and content of authentic interpreting functions encountered in the federal courts.
Phase One Written Examination
The written examination may be taken only once per testing period. It is a computer-administered screener examination which includes a multiple-choice test of English proficiency and a multiple-choice test of Spanish proficiency. You must pass the written examination to qualify to take the oral examination. You will receive your scores on the same day of testing.
Registration for the Federal Court Interpreter Examination written phase will open March 9, 2026 and will close May 1, 2026. The written examination will be administered May 11 – May 23, 2026.
Phase Two Oral Examination
The oral examination tests the ability to effectively perform the three modes of court interpreting: sight translation and simultaneous and consecutive interpretation of discourse, all of which must reflect the correct form and content of authentic interpreting functions encountered in the federal courts.
Accordingly, the candidate is required to demonstrate the ability to effectively carry out these functions bi-directionally. Test items include both formal and informal/colloquial language, technical and legal terminology, and special vocabulary or other specialized language use which is part of the active vocabulary of a highly articulate speaker. The FCICE is offered only for Spanish/English, since that is the primary interpreting need in the federal judiciary.
Registration for the Federal Court Interpreter Examination oral phase will open June 22, 2026 and will close July 31, 2026. The oral examination will be administered in August 2026. Exact dates will be announced by March 1, 2026.
Learn more about the oral examination.
If you have any questions, please email fcice@ao.uscourts.gov.