Language Testing and Certification Program

Latest News

IMPORTANT NOTICE: 

There are important changes to medical interpreter testing. To increase our certification capacity, DSHS LTC has expanded test options for medical interpreter candidates.  

Starting January 1, 2023, all medical interpreter candidates who wish to pursue a DSHS medical interpreter credential and medical interpreters with expired credentials need to test with one of the third-party testing entities. (Please visit the Test Information page for detailed information on third-party medical interpreter testing.)

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

 

OTHER NOTICES:  

All test candidates must create a profile in the LTC Gateway tracking system before they schedule a test with LTC or apply for a DSHS credential with a third-party test score: 

* * * 

1) Olympia testing location (OB-2) - Starting Tuesday, January 3, 2023, during business hours the 1st floor north and south glass entrance doors will be open for visitors and guest to access the building. The security guard is stationed at the north entrance and the front desk is at the south entrance. All guests and visitors are required to sign in at the 1st floor Information Desk upon arrival.

2) Starting 7/1/2022, Yakima testing has a new location. Please check the Test Locations page of this site for details.

 

* Social Service Interpreter tests and Document Translator tests are open to all candidates.

To register for a test, please click here to schedule your test on the LTC Test Registration portal, or copy the following URL to your web browser: https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/1kxdvhvq/

* All candidates can take one oral and one written test per month per person. 

 

* * * 

On WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 at 11:00 am, LTC plans to open February 2023 test schedule (open only for Social Service Interpreter test and Document Translator test): 

  • ​Olympia (OB-2) - Written: 02/07 and 02/14; Oral: 02/07, 02/08, 02/09, 02/14, 02/15 and 02/16.
  • Sunnyside (Yakima County) – Written: 02/15 and 02/23; Oral: 02/15, 02/16, 02/17, 02/23 and 02/24.

 

On TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, LTC opened January 2023 test schedule (open only for Social Service Interpreter test and Document Translator test): 

  • ​Olympia (OB-2) - Written: 01/10, 01/17 and 01/24; Oral: 01/10, 01/11, 01/13, 01/17, 01/18, 01/20, 01/24 and 01/25.
  • Sunnyside (Yakima County) - no testing due to inclement weather 

 

***

All test candidates must create a profile in the LTC Gateway tracking system. 

Questions? Email dshsct@dshs.wa.gov.

What We Do

The Language Testing and Certification program (LTC) provides bilingual certification for DSHS employees and authorization and certification testing for persons interested in providing interpreter or translator services for DSHS clients with limited English proficiency.

The Language Testing and Certification program provides the following services:

  • Sets and maintains qualification standards for DSHS bilingual positions, and interpreters and translators serving DSHS clients.
  • Administers language proficiency testing to certify/authorize DSHS bilingual employees, applicants for bilingual positions, DSHS contracted interpreters, and DSHS contracted translators.
  • Manages the roster of interpreters and translators certified and authorized to work for DSHS.

DSHS employees please refer to the scheduling guidelines on the LTC SharePoint.  

 

Can We Help You?