Spoken Language Certification
***There are no available testing dates for 2025. Certification exams will be administered in the fall of 2026***
Minnesota Certification Requirements
Advanced and experienced interpreters who want to specialize in court work are encouraged to take the Certification Exam to become a Minnesota Certified Court Interpreter. Minnesota's district courts are required to appoint certified interpreters first.
To be certified, an interpreter must complete all of the following prerequisites:
- Be listed on the Minnesota Court Interpreter Roster;
- Receive a passing score on the court interpreter certification exam developed by the National Center for State Courts that is administered or approved by the State Court Administrator’s Office;
- Be at least 18 years old; and
- Be of good character and fitness as evidenced by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) report - a Criminal Background Check.