Program Information and Registration

For questions regarding certification, please email languages@vacourts.gov.

  • Orientation

    Orientation training consists of three mandatory pre-orientation webinar classes and a 2-day orientation course that will familiarize students with the Virginia Judicial System, courtroom protocol, the role of the interpreter, specific skills needed for the different modes of interpreting, and the "do's and don'ts" of the job. Each webinar will be a 1-hour long session, offered live and prerecorded. Candidates will receive instructions to log-in to the webinars, and all candidates will be required to participate in all three webinars prior to the orientation class. Each candidate will also receive an electronic binder with information on how to access court-related glossaries and documents that will give an understanding of the court system and legal procedures. The training also includes an overview of self-study techniques, practice sessions, available resources, and tips for preparing for the oral certification examination. The 2-day orientation class, which follows the three mandatory webinars and is open to all languages, is not intended to prepare you for the written exam. Likewise, the materials provided at the orientation class are a source of general information for court interpreters, and not test prep. Success on the written and oral exams will depend on extensive independent preparation in addition to a solid linguistic foundation. Moreover, while successful court interpreters are often in part self-taught, many have also benefitted from formal instruction.

  • Written Exam

    It is an intermediate level exam and requires extensive self-preparation. It is given only to candidates seeking certification in the following languages: Arabic, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The written exam may be taken only one time within a 12-month period. The Written Exam is administered in Hanover, VA.

  • Oral Exam

    It is open to those currently enrolled for certification in Arabic, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese who have successfully completed the Orientation and Written Exam within the past 3-years. The oral exam may be taken only one time within a 12-month period.

  • Registration for the Spring 2023 Orientation and Written Exam is now closed. Prior to the orientation class, you will be expected to attend or view recordings of the three pre-orientation webinars. Please note that the three pre-orientation webinars are a supplement to the orientation class, not an alternative. The dates and times for the three pre-orientation webinars are:

    • March 31st, noon to 1pm
    • April 7th, noon to 1pm
    • April 14th, noon to 1pm

    Registration for the Spring 2023 orientation class and written exam is now closed.

  • Notes about pre-registration, space, and payment

    Registration for the Spring 2023 Orientation and Written Exam will be open until February 28th or whenever maximum capacity is reached, whichever occurs first. Please bear in mind that you might not receive confirmation of your enrollment for 5-10 business days.  The payment deadline for the is April 1st, 2023. Candidates are registered in the order in which the registration forms are received.  Early payment does not improve a candidate’s chances of being moved from the wait list to the list of registrants.  If payment is not received by the deadline, you will lose your slot. No late payments will be accepted. You will receive payment instructions via email. You must mail in your payment. You may not pay in-person at the Supreme Court or anywhere else. No refunds will be given.
    Space is limited.  Pre-registration and inclusion on the wait list will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please do not send any payment unless and until you receive a confirmation email of pre-registration.

  • Spring Registration
    • Orientation and Written Exam: Registration dates/location are generally posted on this website in mid-February. (class/exam is generally given in March or April)
    • Oral Exam: Registration dates/locations are generally posted on this website during the month of May or June (exam is generally given in June or July)

    Note: All dates are tentative and may be subject to change without prior notice. Registration will close when classes are full and/or when class lists are finalized. This can be several weeks before the start of the in-person orientation.

  • Fall Registration
    • Orientation and Written Exam: Registration dates/location are generally posted on this website in mid-August (class/exam is generally given in September or October).
    • Oral Exam: Registration dates/location are generally posted on this website during the months of December or January (exam is generally given in January or February).

    Note: All dates are tentative and may be subject to change without prior notice. Registration will close when classes are full and/or when class lists are finalized. This can be several weeks before the start of the in-person orientation.

  • Orientation: All Languages $225.00
    Written Exam: Arabic, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese $125.00
    Oral Exam: Arabic, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese $225.00

    Note: Fees are subject to change without notice. There are NO refunds given to those who register and do not attend the class or exam. If, after registering, you ask to postpone the class or exam, you will receive a credit for the amount that you paid minus a $50.00 rescheduling fee.  We cannot guarantee that there will be space in the next class or exam or that there will not be a fee increase.  You will have to determine whether the postponement still allows you to complete all three elements (orientation, the written exam and the oral exam) within the allotted 3-year period.  The Supreme Court of Virginia will NOT reimburse your travel, parking, meal or lodging expenses.

  • There are no workshops at this time.