Test Information

DSHS interpreter credential testing options vary according to the type of credential (e.g. Social Services vs. Medical) a candidate wishes to pursue. All test/credential candidates must create a profile in the LTC Gateway database system.  For information on how to set up a Gateway profile, please see the lower section of this page. 

 

I. DSHS LTC Tests

For DSHS testing and certification, spoken and written languages are divided into two categories:

  • Certified Languages: Spanish, Cantonese Chinese, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese.
  • Screened Languages: All non-certified languages - speakers of these languages receive authorization rather than certification, but credentials are functionally the same.

NEW: Computer-based written tests starting January 2025

The DSHS Social Service interpreter written test, Document Translator test, and DSHS Bilingual Employee written test are now computer-based. 

Please take note of the following important information when taking the new computer-based written test:

  • Laptop will be provided for your use.
  • Test will be accessed and taken in the LTC Gateway online system.
  • Before your appointment day, please ensure that you can log into your SAW account to access LTC Gateway.  If you have multiple SAW accounts, be sure you have the correct one that gives you access to Gateway.
  • You must have your Secure Access Washington (SAW) login information for your test appointment. This includes your Username and Password.

DSHS LTC offers the following tests:

  • Social Services Interpreter Tests (certified and screened languages): Candidates must pass both oral ($45) and written ($30) tests to get certified.

                LTC offers Social Services Interpreter tests for all languages.  

  • Document Translator Tests (certified languages only): Candidates must pass one written test ($50). This is not an interpreter test. It is for the translation of written materials only.

                LTC offers document translator tests for certified languages. This test is not available for screened languages.

                

  • DSHS Bilingual Employee Tests (certified and screened languages): Requirements vary depending on job clusters.

DSHS employees who wish to take a bilingual employee certification test, please follow Bilingual Employee Test Scheduling Guidelines on the LTC SharePoint. They can contact LTC at <dshsct@dshs.wa.gov> to schedule a test.  

 

Notes on LTC tests:

  • For Cantonese Chinese and Mandarin Chinese interpreter test candidates, only one written test is needed for social service certification, provided that the written is passed within two years of the oral test.
  • For multiple screened languages, only one written test is needed for all languages in the social service category provided that the written test is passed within two years of the oral test.
  • Please read the Registration Policies prior to scheduling a test.

 

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II.  Medical Interpreter Tests (Certified and Screened Languages)

On January 1, 2023, DSHS expanded options for medical interpreter certification testing. All medical interpreter candidates who wish to pursue a DSHS medical interpreter credential, and medical interpreters with expired credentials, should test with one of the third-party testing entities listed below.  They can apply for a DSHS Medical Interpreter-Recognized credential if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Important new changes effective February 1, 2025 – In accordance with RCW 74.04.025, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Language Testing and Certification Program will require all new medical interpreter credential applicants to submit the following:

 1.  Medical interpreter written tests – passing score report within two years of test date, from one of the three approved third-party entities:

  • CoreCHI exam from Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) (All Languages)

 Please register to test directly with CCHI.  For more information, visit the website of Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI).

  • Hub-CMI exam from The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) (All Languages)

 Please register to test directly with NBCMI.  For information on the Hub-CMI exam, visit the website of The National Board of Certification for Medical   Interpreters   (NBCMI).

  • ALTA Language Services (available in Screened Languages, please see list below)
  1. English Reading Test (Passing score: ILR 3 / ALTA 9, or above)
  2. English Interpretation Code of Ethics-Medical Test (Passing score: Qualified)

 

 2.  AND Medical interpreter oral tests – passing score report within two years of test date, from one of the three approved third-party entities:

  • Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)

LTC accepts oral tests that CCHI provides (for Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin) or recognizes as evidence of proficiency in the language other than English (LOTE).

Please register to test directly with CCHI.  For more information, visit the website of Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI).

 

  • The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)

LTC accepts oral tests that NBCMI provides (for Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese) or recognizes as evidence of proficiency in the language other than English (LOTE).

Please register to test directly with NBCMI.  For more information, visit the website of The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI).

 

  • ALTA Language Services (Available in Screened languages, please see list below)  
    • NOT AVAILABLE for Certified Languages: Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese)

          LTC accepts the Consecutive Medical Interpreter Test with passing score of ALTA Level 10 – Advanced Plus, or above.

         

          *Note:  Candidate must pass all three tests of ALTA Language Services to apply for a DSHS Medical Interpreter-Recognized credential:

  1. English Reading Test (Passing score: ILR 3 / ALTA 9, or above)
  2. English Interpretation Code of Ethics-Medical Test (Passing score: Qualified)
  3. Consecutive Medical Interpretation Test (Passing score: ALTA Level 10 – Advanced Plus, or above.

          ALTA tests are available in the screened languages listed below: 

  Process of taking the ALTA tests includes the following:

  1. To apply for test registration, send Email to DSHSCT@dshs.wa.gov.  Be sure to include the following information: Full Name, Email address, phone number, LTC Gateway Candidate ID No., type of test and language name, along with a copy of official photo ID.
  2. Follow instructions from LTC and ALTA testing portal to schedule and complete tests.

 

Candidates should submit their score report(s) to DSHS LTC within two years of the test date.  To submit a test result from a third-party entity, please email a copy of a formal score report to DSHS LTC at dshsct@dshs.wa.gov.

Disclaimer: DSHS recognizes the tests provided by the above listed entities as alternative tests that meet the DSHS medical interpreter qualification standards. None of the listed entities is affiliated with DSHS, or vice versa. DSHS does not have any financial interest in any of the listed entities. 

 

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

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Note:

  • All DSHS credentials expire after 4 years unless the renewal requirements are met. If your credential has expired, you must re-test.
  • 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.
  • All applications for certifications and authorizations require two hours of either medical or social service orientation and two hours of ethics training.

For questions regarding LTC testing, certification, continuing education, and general information, please contact LTC at dshsct@dshs.wa.gov.