Yes. To register for a test, please follow the steps in the how to schedule a test online. For step-by-step guides, use the following: Written Test Guide/ Translator Test Guide/ Oral Test Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to DSHS Facilities, Finance and Analytics Administration's Frequently Asked Questions! Below you may search by topics such as information for bidders and question about our Language Testing and Certification Program, and Background Checks.
If you have completed all the renewal requirements for your credential, it will automatically renew at the end of the four-year cycle (as shown under the Expiration Date in your Gateway’s Credentials tab). You will receive notification of the renewal with a copy of your new certificate by email. You can also log in to your Gateway profile to download a copy in the Credentials tab.
You do not need to use the green Request Credential button in Gateway. It is only for candidates who have just passed the required tests and are requesting a new DSHS interpreter/translator credential.
LTC is unable to issue an updated credential before the renewal date. You will have to wait for the new credential to be issued.
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 service provider.
For general instructions on proposal delivery please see Proposal Delivery Methods. The proposal is to be sent to the coordinator in accordance with the delivery instructions specified in the solicitation document.
You should allow sufficient delivery time to ensure timely receipt by the coordinator. You assume the risk for the method of delivery and for any delay in the mailing or delivery of your proposal.
Proposals must be prepared and submitted no later than the proposal submission date and time specified in the particular solicitation document. DSHS reserves the right to disqualify any proposal and withdraw it from consideration if it is received after the proposal submission deadline. All proposals and any accompanying documentation become the property of DSHS and will not be returned.
- Complete your paper invoice and obtain required signatures before you call. Refer to it during your call to Invoice Express. LISTEN CAREFULLY! If you have trouble you can hang up at any time before pressing the star key and the invoice will not process so that you can try again later.
- Use a touch tone phone to contact Invoice Express using the toll free number printed at the top of the invoice.
- You will first be asked if you prefer English or Spanish.
- You will then be asked if you want to: 1) complete an invoice; or 2) check on processing. Choose 1 to complete an invoice.
- The first question to answer when calling is whether your invoice is Regular or Supplemental (look in the upper left corner).
- (1) for Regular
- (2) for Supplemental
- You will be asked to use the numbers on your telephone to enter the first 3 digits and then the 6 digits after the letter and dash of your invoice number.
- To make sure no other person can get to your invoice by telephone, you will be asked to enter the payee number.
- If your invoice has more than 1 page, you will be asked to enter the page number you wish to submit.
- Invoice Express will read the last 4 digits of your reference number, so that you will know which line you are on.
- Enter the number of units provided (Enter 0 when no services were rendered).
- Invoice Express will read to you the type of service unit. In the case of months (MON) you will be able to report either a full month, or a partial month, by reporting the number of days served (DA).
- When you are asked to enter the units, use the numbers on your telephone number pad.
- After entering all data, wait until the phone voice says "Press the star key now." After you press the star key, you will hear the phone voice say, "You have successfully completed your page/invoice." This means your page/invoice has been successfully submitted and will be sent for processing . If you hang up too soon, your invoice will not be paid! You will then need to call Invoice Express and try again.
- You will be asked if you'd like to enter another invoice, or, if your invoice has multiple pages, you will be asked if you wish to enter another page.
Submit your SSPS invoice for payment or inquire about a submitted invoice
The Invoice Express toll free number is 1-888-461-8855, and is printed at the top of every SSPS invoice.
An operator is available during normal business hours if the caller has problems, however SSPS staff cannot submit your invoice information for you.
Features:
- Callers may choose either English or Spanish voice prompts.
- Callers may choose to complete an entire invoice, or to complete selected pages of their invoice.
- Callers may choose to check on the status of an invoice.
- Callers may use the toll free line any time of day or night.
Helpful Information about Invoice Express
View the Invoice Express Brochure (DSHS 22-369 PDF)
There is a special process in place for “printing” applicants who are missing any fingers, hands, or arms. Contact the office that requested your fingerprints for more information.
No. Scheduling a test over the telephone is only for DSHS bilingual employees and licensed agency personnel.
Per Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Section 388-03-160 Section (2):
If you have been certified or authorized as an interpreter or translator and are not a department employee, you can maintain your certification or authorization status by:
(a) Earning a minimum of twenty credit hours of DSHS approved continuing education (CE) every four years, of which at least one credit hour per year must be in ethics training. A current list of DSHS recognized continuing education and/or professional development courses is published on the LTC website; or
(b) Retake the examination within four years from the date you were certified/authorized if you do not earn a minimum of twenty credit hours of DSHS recognized continuing education during this time frame. Once you pass all test requirements, a new certificate or authorization letter will be issued to you with a new expiration date.
One ethics credit should be earned per calendar year of your four-year credential cycle. You must complete each credit on time. If you miss an ethics credit, you won't be able to make it up.
You should contact the agency you contract with.
Check the particular solicitation document for instructions on submitting your proposal.
- Fill out completely and obtain required signatures before calling. Listen carefully when you call.
- After entering all data, wait until the phone voice says "Press the star key now." After you press the star key, you will hear the phone voice say, "You have successfully completed your page/invoice." This means your page/invoice has been successfully submitted and will be sent for processing.
- Do not mail your invoice when using Invoice Express. Keep it for your permanent records in case of audit.
- If you have trouble you can hang up at any time before pressing the star key and the invoice will not process so that you can try again later.
- For invoices phoned in before 4:30 p.m. payment will be processed in 2 business days. If you call after 4:30 p.m., payment will be processed in 3 business days.
- If you call to process an invoice for the current month, your invoice will be processed the first business day of the next month.
Submit your SSPS invoice for payment or inquire about a submitted invoice
The Invoice Express toll free number is 1-888-461-8855, and is printed at the top of every SSPS invoice.
An operator is available during normal business hours if the caller has problems, however SSPS staff cannot submit your invoice information for you.
Features:
- Callers may choose either English or Spanish voice prompts.
- Callers may choose to complete an entire invoice, or to complete selected pages of their invoice.
- Callers may choose to check on the status of an invoice.
- Callers may use the toll free line any time of day or night.
Helpful Information about Invoice Express
View the Invoice Express Brochure (DSHS 22-369 PDF)
A LiveScan Machine is a small photocopy machine. It scans your fingerprints and creates electronic copies without the mess of ink and paper cards.
LiveScan fingerprinting helps to reduce the number of fingerprint rejections and speeds up the process by allowing fingerprints to be sent electronically rather than through the mail.
Pretest study materials, also known as study guides, are available on our website under the 'Study Materials' tab. You can access the pretest booklets and oral practice recordings by clicking on the appropriate links. Pretest study materials for DSHS employees and licensed agency personnel are available at the DSHS Intranet or SharePoint (internal) website.
All credential renewal requirements must be submitted through the LTC Gateway system.
Please refer to the LTC Gateway User Manual Section 4.7.4 CE Activities (pages 46-49) for detailed instructions to submit DSHS approved CE activities.
Make sure to upload a copy of the certificate of completion and enter the activity date that matches the date on the certificate.
If you plan to set up your own language agency or company, please contact Business Licensing at the Department of Licensing . Contact information for Business License Information can also be found in the Government Pages in the phone book.
DSHS will not be liable for any costs incurred by the Bidder in preparation of a proposal or in presenting a proposal for any procurement.
Yes, and these two terms are not interchangeable. An interpreter is a person who orally transfers a message from one spoken language to another (or manually for Sign Language). A translator is a person who transfers a message in writing from one language to another.
Eighteen (18) is the minimum age for being fingerprinted for all DSHS programs and services. IDEMIA (formerly MorphoTrust) Technicians will not print anyone under the age of 18. The Background Check Central Unit (BCCU) will conduct a Name and Date of Birth background check for a minor. Contact the office requesting your fingerprints for further information.
Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) may ONLY request fingerprints for under age applicants without prior approval. Student ID’s, such as ASB cards, with a photo will be an acceptable form of ID.
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.
Possible reasons why your CE credit submission was denied:
- You did not upload the certificate of completion.
- The certificate you uploaded cannot be opened. It must be in PDF, Word, or picture (e.g., .jpg or .png) format.
- The certificate of completion you uploaded is incomplete.
- Activity date does not match the date on the certificate of completion.
- The CE activity has already been approved for credit. You will receive credits for any given activity only once within the four-year cycle of your credential.
When your CE credit submission has been denied, you must re-add the activity, correct the error as indicated on the reason for denial, and re-upload the certificate of completion.
For detailed instructions on how to add an activity and upload a certificate of completion, please refer to Section 4.7 of the LTC Gateway User Manual.