Announcement:

Due to the state's current budget shortfall, we have closed language testing in all locations except Yakima and the Olympia/Lacey area. Applicants will be scheduled at the Yakima or Olympia/Lacey test sites on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Language Testing and Certification (LTC) program provides the following services:

• Develop systems, methods, procedures and policies to certify DSHS bilingual employees, applicants for DSHS bilingual positions, contracted interpreters and translators, and licensed agency personnel.
• Set and maintain qualification standards for DSHS bilingual positions, interpreters, and translators across languages.
• Administer language proficiency testing to certify/authorize DSHS bilingual employees, applicants for bilingual positions, contracted interpreters, contracted translators, and licensed agency personnel.
• Provide consultation to the department in establishing DSHS policies regarding the quality of language services to Limited English Proficient (LEP) clients.
• Manage the roster of certified interpreters and translators; manage the roster of authorized interpreters.

The LTC Examination Manual (in Microsoft Word) contains detailed information about language testing and certification.

To register for a contracted interpreter or translator test, please fill out, print and mail the Examination Application form (DSHS 05-218) (in Microsoft Word) with appropriate payment to LTC.

Click here if you need Driving Directions to Test Sites (in Microsoft Word).

If you are a certified or authorized interpreter and plan to provide interpreter services to DSHS clients, please click on the following link for related contact information in your area:

DSHS Interpreter Services Providers for Spoken Languages

If you are a certified translator and plan to provide document translation services to DSHS programs, please click on the following link for contact information:

DSHS Contracted Document Translation Agencies

For applicants of DSHS recruitments, consult the following Word document to determine the test requirements for specific positions, then follow the test registration process in the LTC Examination Manual:

DSHS Employee Position Clusters and Test Requirements

Helpful links to related information and resources for self-improvement:

DSHS acronyms

Medical terminologies in multiple languages

Medical Libraries

• National Library of Medicine
• Overlake Hospital Medical Center

Other Links/Resources for Training and Self-Improvement

• University of Washington
• University of Washington School of Medicine
• Healthfinder.gov
• Kids Health
• Everett Community College: Medical Spanish Interpreter Class (PDF)
• Cross Cultural Health Care Program