Language Testing and Certification Program

IMPORTANT:  OLYMPIA TEST LOCATION HAS CHANGED

Now located at Capitol View 2 Building, 724 Quince St SE, Olympia, WA 98501

* * *

PUBLIC TESTING SCHEDULE (available only for Social Service Interpreter test and Document Translator)

IMPORTANT REMINDER:  Fees for canceled test appointment(s) are non-refundable except as allowed per WAC 388-03-133.  "If you fail to attend your confirmed test session(s) because of an emergency, your test session(s) may be rescheduled upon request but your test fee will not be refunded.  Rescheduling due to an emergency will be done only once and only if the emergency is properly documented.  Examples of proper documentation include an official police report or a signed physician statement."  Please refer to the Test Registration Information page.

Following are the test schedules for April, May and June 2026.  LTC plans to open registration for May and June on Monday, April 6, at 2:00 pm.

* * *​

CHANGES IN MEDICAL INTERPRETER TESTING: 

There are important changes to the expanded test options for medical interpreter candidates.  Effective February 1, 2025, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Language Testing and Certification Program will require all new Medical Interpreter-Recognized credential applicants to submit proof of their successful completion and passing of oral and written medical interpreter tests from one of the three approved third-party entities. (Please visit the Test Information page for more details.)

There are no changes to the requirements for Social Service interpreter tests and Document Translator tests (open to all candidates).

* * *

NEW COMPUTER-BASED INTERPRETER AND TRANSLATOR WRITTEN TESTS:

A new online platform was created in the existing LTC Gateway system to transition the DSHS language certification written tests to a computer-based method. This new method replaces the paper and pencil written tests.

LTC conducted the first pilot of the computer-based Social Service interpreter written test and Document Translator test on January 15, 2025 at the Olympia test location.  The pilot will run through June 2025.  Additional test dates will be released soon.  (Please visit the Test Information page for more details on the new process.)

* * *

CHANGES IN CREDENTIAL RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

There are important changes in the Ethics credit completion requirement effective February 2024.  Please go to the Credential Renewal Requirements page of this website to review the changes.

* * *