How to Become a Certified Medical Interpreter (2025 Guide)
Your complete step-by-step path to certification, requirements, exams, and training options.
📋 Table of Contents
- Why Become a Certified Medical Interpreter?
- 1. Interpreter Training
- How Many Hours of Training Do You Need?
- Where to Get Your Training
- 2. National Certification
- Certification Eligibility
- Certification Exams
- Certification Types (Video)
- Benefits of Certification
- Need More Help?
- Certificate vs. Certification (Video)
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Become a Certified Medical Interpreter?
Becoming a certified medical interpreter opens the door to a rewarding career in a high-demand field. With increasing immigration to North America, more patients are seeking healthcare without being able to communicate in English. Hospitals, clinics, and community health centers urgently need qualified, professionally trained interpreters who can bridge that gap safely and accurately.
If you’re fluent in English and another language, medical interpreting allows you to make a meaningful impact—helping patients understand diagnoses, treatments, and procedures while supporting health equity in your community.
1. Interpreter Training (Required for Everyone)
Fluency in two languages is essential, but interpreting is a professional skill that must be formally developed. Medical interpreters need training in the following areas:
- Strong listening and delivery skills
- Memory and note-taking strategies
- Accuracy in two languages
- Cultural competence
- Mastery of medical terminology
- Knowledge of interpreter ethics and standards
This is why formal training is required.
How many hours of training do you need?
The minimum training requirement for medical interpreters is measured in hours, and it can vary depending on where you live and where you plan to work.
- Most states require at least 40 hours of medical interpreter training. You can meet this requirement through our 40-hour Spanish medical interpreter program or our 40-hour program for all other languages.
- The state of Oregon requires 60 hours of training. If you need to meet this standard, our 60-hour medical interpreter program is designed for that requirement.
- Both national certifying bodies require a minimum of 40 hours of formal medical interpreter training to qualify for their certification exams, regardless of your background.
Some employers may hire you with a 40-hour training certificate, while others prefer or require nationally certified interpreters. This is why many students complete their training first and then move on to step two—national certification.
Where to Get Your Training
There are many 40-hour programs available today, but choosing the right one is crucial. Your training should prepare you for real-world assignments and for the national certification exams. Always choose a reputable school approved by the certifying bodies.
At MITS, we have trained thousands of interpreters over the past 10 years. We offer:
- A 40-hour program for Spanish interpreters
- A 40-hour program for interpreters of other languages
- A full 60-hour medical interpreter program
- A full 60-hour medical program for interpreters of other languages
- Courses approved by both national certifying bodies
Once you complete your MITS training program, you become eligible to apply for interpreting jobs and sit for the national certification exams.
2. National Certification
National certification is the official credential that proves an interpreter is qualified to work at a professional level. Certification is granted only after meeting specific requirements and passing exams that evaluate interpreting skills, ethics, and medical terminology.
There are two national certifying bodies in the United States, and each offers different types of certification depending on your language and the exams available for it.
- CCHI (Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters)
- CoreCHI™ — written exam only
- CoreCHI-Performance™ — written + English-only oral exam
- CHI™ — bilingual oral exam for Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin
If you plan to take the CoreCHI or CHI exams, you may want to review our
CCHI exam preparation resources. - NBCMI (National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters)
- Hub-CMI — written exam only
- CMI — bilingual oral exam for Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese
For NBCMI candidates, you can explore our CMI exam preparation materials.
Certification Eligibility
Both CCHI and NBCMI have similar basic requirements before you can apply for their exams. In general, you must meet all of the following:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent (U.S. or foreign)
- Complete at least 40 hours of formal medical interpreter training, such as one of our
MITS training programs - Demonstrate language proficiency in both English and your non-English working language
Language proficiency can be demonstrated through transcripts, diplomas, standardized test scores, or approved examinations. Some commonly accepted options include:
- Language Testing International (LTI)
- Parrot Language Test
- TOEFL for English proficiency
- ECPE (English proficiency exam)
Each certifying body publishes its own list of accepted proof of proficiency. You can review the current requirements directly from CCHI and NBCMI.
Certification Exams
National certification typically includes two parts: a written exam and an oral exam.
- Written exam covers:
- Medical terminology
- Interpreter ethics
- Standards of practice
- Oral exam evaluates:
- Consecutive interpreting
- Simultaneous interpreting
- Sight translation
For complete details on the structure and content of the certification exams, you can read:
- CCHI’s exam handbook:
CCHI Candidate Resources - NBCMI’s exam information:
NBCMI Exam Overview
Before you choose a certification pathway, make sure you understand the training requirements.
You can review all of our 40-hour & 60-hour training programs here
Certification Types
As mentioned above, your certification pathway depends on your language and whether a bilingual oral exam is available. The video below provides a clear, step-by-step explanation of the different national certifications and what they mean for interpreters.
Ready to take the next step toward certification? Your first move is to complete an approved training program.
You can start with our 40-hour Spanish program or our 40-hour program for all other languages
Benefits of Certification
- Better job opportunities
- Higher earning potential
- Professional credibility
- Ability to work in hospitals and major healthcare systems
Need More Help?
For more information, we recommend visiting the CCHI and NBCMI websites. They can only be reached via email, but you can call us at 818-465-8425 with any questions. We help students every day navigate this process and prepare for success.
Bonus Tip: Before you start your certification journey, make sure you understand the difference between a training certificate and national certification. These terms are often confused but they are not the same. Watch the quick video below for a clear explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree to become a certified medical interpreter?
No. Neither CCHI nor NBCMI requires a college degree. You only need a high school diploma or equivalent.
How many hours of training do I need for certification?
Both CCHI and NBCMI require a minimum of 40 hours of medical interpreter training. Oregon requires 60 hours.
Can I become certified if my language doesn’t offer a bilingual oral exam?
Yes. You can still earn certification through CCHI’s CoreCHI or CoreCHI-Performance, or NBCMI’s Hub-CMI.
Is a certificate the same as certification?
No. A certificate means you completed training. Certification is a national credential awarded only after passing the required exams. Please refer to the video below.
Which certifying body is better, CCHI or NBCMI?
Both are nationally recognized. The best choice depends on your language and the types of exams available.
How long does it take to become a certified medical interpreter?
Most students finish training within a few weeks and complete their certification exams within 1–3 months.
Do I need to be a native speaker to apply?
No. You simply need to demonstrate advanced proficiency in English and the other language.
Ready to Start Your Training?
Becoming a certified medical interpreter is an exciting and rewarding journey. If you're ready to take the next step, our nationally approved programs will guide you from your first lesson all the way to certification success.