Language Testing and Certification Program
Latest News
All testing has been canceled until further notice due to COVID-19.
- SCHEDULE A TEST - No tests are being scheduled at this time. Questions? Email DSHSCT@DSHS.WA.GOV. Check back for news on future openings.
- Prior to scheduling a test, please read Test Information and Registration Policies and the Examination Manual.
- All DSHS credentials expire after 4 years, unless the renewal requirements are met. See Maintaining Your Interpreter/Translator Certificate.
- If your certification or authorization has expired, you must re-test.
- Please use the link above to schedule a test. Test spots fill up very quickly so please note times for proposed schedule openings.
- Once you pass the required tests, complete the required online orientation trainings and send the screen shots to dshsct@dshs.wa.gov, and you will be added to the online list of fully certified/authorized interpreters.
- RCW 74.04.025 limits testing of languages for which fill rates in the prior year are 90% or higher. There are no testing limitations due to fill rates at this time.
- Please help us keep our contact information up to date! Send your current email address along with your credential number(s) to us: dshsct@dshs.wa.gov
- Temporary Credential Reinstatement has expired. Emergency rule, WAC 388-03-160(3) temporarily reinstated all DSHS certifications and authorizations that expire between April 6, 2019 and July 28, 2019. The temporary reinstatement expired on July 29, 2019. This temporary reinstatement did not allow the interpreter or translator to earn missing continuing education credits, or other renewal requirements, which were due upon the original certification/authorization expiration date.
What We Do
We offer certification testing for translators and medical and social services interpreters in Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
We offer authorization testing for medical and social services interpreters in all other languages.
We provide bilingual position testing for DSHS employees. Please refer to scheduling guidelines.