DSHS - Frequently Asked Questions
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Home page

Frequently Asked Questions



What kinds of DSHS certification and qualification testing are available?
DSHS currently certifies social service interpreters, medical interpreters, translators, and DSHS active/potential bilingual employees, mental health licensed agency personnel in Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese, Korean, Cambodian, and Laotian. The Department also qualifies social service interpreters and medical interpreters in all other languages (screening test).

Will I get a certificate when I pass the screening test?
Instead of a certificate, interpreters who pass the screening test will be issued an authorization letter. The authorization letter qualifies an interpreter to serve DSHS clients.

Where do I get detailed information about DSHS language certification and testing?
The Examination Manual (in Word format) provides detailed information on certification and testing.

What is the difference between an interpreter and a translator?
An interpreter is a person who orally transfers a message from one spoken language to another. A translator is a person who transfers a message in writing from one language to another.  

What is the difference between certified languages and screened languages?

Certified languages are those in which interpreters go through conventional modalities of testing. The written and oral test instruments cover both English and a second language (target language). Those who meet the minimum proficiency requirements are issued a certificate.

Due to resource restrictions, it is not feasible to develop language-specific test instruments for each and every language in such a linguistically diverse state as Washington. Therefore, a screening test was developed for all non-certified or screened languages. Interpreters in screened languages go through a totally different modality of testing. Unlike the certified languages, the written screening test is not language specific. The oral screening test utilizes the target language spoken by the interpreter to test his or her linguistic and interpreting skills. This includes any language, even any dialects within a language. Since the scope of the screening test is not as comprehensive as a conventional certified test, those who meet the minimum proficiency requirements are issued an authorization letter in lieu of a certificate.

Currently, no translator test is available for screened languages.

How do you define a certified/authorized interpreter?
A certified/authorized interpreter is a person who has passed the required DSHS interpreter examination, or has passed the interpreter examination offered by the Washington State Office of the Administrator for the Courts or the Federal Courts.

How do you define a certified translator?
A certified translator is a person who has passed the required DSHS written translation examination, or has passed the American Translators Association written translation examination.

How do I register for a test?
To register for a test, please follow the steps under "Test Registration" in the Examination Manual (Word format). You can remove and use the examination application form (the last page of the hardcopy Examination Manual), or download the Examination Application (05-218) (Word format) from our website.

Can I submit my test application online?
No. Since we are not set up to take credit cards or debit cards, you can only submit your test application by mailing to LTC your completed Examination Application (05-218) (Word format) form with the appropriate payment in the form of a personal check, bank check, or money order.

Can I register for a test over the telephone?
No. You can only register for a test by submitting a completed Examination Application form and the appropriate payment to the address on the application form (except DSHS employees).

How do I get pretest materials to prepare for the test?
Pretest materials, including study guides, are available at the LTC website. You can access the pretest booklets and oral practice recordings by following the appropriate links on the right hand side of the LTC homepage.

Will the pretest package give me what is needed to pass the test?
The pretest materials, both written and oral, are intended to familiarize you with the formats of the test and how test items are constructed. The study guides will help you know what to expect on the test, but will not be enough to help you improve your language ability, your interpreting skills, or your knowledge base in any particular field.

Where do I get a testing schedule so that I can pick my test date and time?
Since our test sites have limited capacity and the number of candidates registering for testing varies, it is not practical to publish a testing schedule. You cannot pick a test date and time. A test date and time will be assigned to you when we process your test application.

What if the test date or time assigned to me conflicts with my own schedule?
If the assigned test date or time does not work for you, you need to call our office 1-(360)664-6111 within ten (10) calendar days from the date your confirmation letter is sent to reschedule your test. Otherwise, you will have to pay another test fee to reschedule your test. It is crucial to talk to the scheduler at this phone number. If you leave a message on the voice mail, it is your responsibility to follow through with your request within the ten-day (10) time frame. Any oral or written request after the 10-day time frame will not be honored.

How long does it take to schedule my test after I send in my test application?
It could take about eight (8) weeks after we receive your test application to schedule your test.

Can I call your office to check on my test schedule status?
We are extremely short-staffed with very high volume of work. Please, do not call our office for your schedule status. However, if you do not receive your test confirmation letter eight (8) weeks after you submit your test application and payment, you should call us at (360)664-6111.

How long does it take to get my test scores?
It takes approximately four (4) weeks to grade the written test, and approximately six (6) weeks to grade the oral test.

Can I call your office to find out my test scores?
Test scores will not be released over the telephone. A score report letter will be sent to you once your scores are available. However, if you have not received your test score two (2) months after your test date, you should call our office to check your score status.

How long does it take to get the certificate/authorization letter after I pass all test requirements?
If your score report letter states that you have met all test requirements and are now considered certified or authorized as an interpreter, a certificate/authorization letter will be mailed to you the following month from the month of your score report letter. For example, if your score report letter is dated 7/1/2002, your certificate/authorization letter will be mailed to you at the beginning of August, 2002.

Can I request a list of certified or authorized interpreters/translators?
Lists of certified or authorized interpreters/translators are made available mainly for the purpose of assisting agencies that provide language services in locating or verifying their needed resources. As long as a legitimate reason is clearly stated, you can request any of the available lists.

How do I request a list of certified or authorized interpreters/translators for my agency use?
Lists of certified or authorized interpreters/translators are only available in electronic format. No hard copies are available due to the size of these lists. Electronic copies of the lists (in Microsoft Excel format) will be sent via email upon request. A request has to be made via e-mail (address: DSHSCT@dshs.wa.gov) with the following information: Your full name; name of your agency; your position in the agency; how the lists will be used; specific type(s) of list needed. The lists will be sent as attachments when we reply to your e-mail, so please e-mail your request from an e-mail address to which you want us to send the lists.

How do I let you know about an address, phone number, or name change?
You should inform us in writing. For a name change request, a court document (photo copy) such as a marriage or divorce certificate should be attached to your written request. Your current mailing address and phone numbers are also necessary.

I misplaced my certificate. Can I request a replacement?
You may send your request to us in writing or via e-mail (dshsct@dshs.wa.gov) with the following information: your full name, social security number, language, and certificate type (medical, social service, or translator). Your current mailing address and phone numbers are also necessary.

What policies apply to the DSHS language testing and certification process?
All policies applying to testing and certification are included in the Examination Manual. The same policies can also be found in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC388-03) (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=388-03). You can find the answer to your specific question in either document.

How do I get interpreting and translation work once I am certified or authorized?
Once you are assigned a certificate number or authorization number in your score report letter, you are considered a certified or authorized interpreter or translator. DSHS does not employ interpreters and translators directly. Instead, we contract with external agencies to provide language services to our clients. If you are looking for work as an interpreter or translator, you need to contact the DSHS contracted agencies to start the process. Find a spoken language provider or call the Interpreter Services Program at (360) 725-3808 or (360) 725-1315 for more information.

I am a certified/authorized interpreter and I want to provide services to DSHS. What should I do if I am not able to secure a contract with a language agency?
You should call DSHS Interpreter Services Program with your concerns: 360-725-3808 or 360-725-1315.

I have a contract with a language agency to serve DSHS. What should I do if I rarely or never get any interpreting assignment?
You should call the agency you contract with. You should also call DSHS Interpreter Services Program with your concerns: 360-725-1315 or 360-725-3808.

I am a certified/authorized interpreter/translator. How do I set up my own interpreter/translation agency?
If you plan to set up your own language agency, please contact Business Licensing at the Department of Licensing . Contact information for Business License Information can also be found in the Government Pages in your phone book.

I do not live in Washington State. Can I take your test to become a certified/authorized interpreter/translator?
We only test people who are available to serve DSHS clients in Washington State.

I am certified as an interpreter/translator by an entity other than your agency. Do I still need to be certified by your agency to serve your clients?
Certificates issued by entities other than Washington State DSHS will be considered on a case by case basis. Please contact dshsct@dshs.wa.gov with your inquiry.

How do I get certified as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter?
Please contact the Office for the Deaf and Hard Hearing in the Department of Social and Health Services for information about becoming an ASL interpreter. Their contact information can also be found in the Government Pages in your phone book.

How do I get certified as a court/legal interpreter?
Please contact the Office of the Administrator for the Courts for information about becoming a court certified interpreter. Their contact information can also be found in the Government Pages in your phone book.

How do I qualify for the Interpreter & Translation services?
As a DSHS applicant or client, you qualify based simply on your need to communicate effectively regarding DSHS services.Learn about DSHS Services.

How do I apply for Interpreter & Translation services?
Just let a local DSHS office worker or health care provider know. Often a poster with examples of many languages is provided at the local DSHS office to help in identifying the language you speak -- simply point at the sentence written in your language. Learn about DSHS Services.

How long after I apply before I can get Interpreter or Translation services?
Usually, services will be provided to help you without any significant delay in service delivery. Please ask your local DSHS office or your medical provider for more information.

What if I have a complaint or problem with interpretation or translation provided by DSHS?
You may talk directly with the local office worker or supervisor. Alternately, you may submit your problem or complaint in writing to that office. Other options include contacting Interpreter Services and Customer Service at 1-800-562-3022.