Healthcare interpreting is our core and our strength. We know it well and have all of the leaders, pioneers and practicing interpreters depending on us to bring them an entire range of certifications that match their level of practice and give them something to work toward as they advance their knowledge and build their business.

The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) believes that any effort to develop national certification and standards for pre-qualifications, training and continuing education must be a collaborative, consensus-driven process in which all stakeholders have the opportunity to participate.

The development of a national certification process goes beyond the creation of a test. Certification is a complex process in any field but especially so in a field in which the content is steeped in difficult linguistic and cultural issues. We wholeheartedly agree to the need for scientifically rigorous assessment methodologies but also want to create an equitable and fair process that will allow all competent interpreters, regardless of background, to be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they possess as interpreters. We do not want high numbers of good interpreters failing simply because of a certification tool’s inability to adequately assess knowledge and skills across cultural and linguistic differences.  Click here to read Cultivating Certification, a series of articles about the certification development process, or view our timeline for developing a credible and valid certification program.

CCHI Short-Term Objectives and Expected Outcomes

1. Public launch of CCHI -- On September 15, 2009, CCHI officially launched, announcing its commissioners and advisors (Policy & Industry Stakeholder Committee, Certification Program Expert Committee).
2. Completion of the Job Task Analysis -- CCHI conducted a comprehensive Job Task Analysis to provide the framework for development of its first (highest need) certification program. The results of the JTA provided the overarching framework for CCHI's certification program.
3. Initiation of Certification Test Development -- CCHI is working with its panel of certification professionals to define, design, develop and deploy a psychometrically sound, legally defensible certification exam that is customized to the specific practices of healthcare interpreters. Written exams, performance exams and portfolio credentials are all up for consideration prior to any final decisions on certification testing administered by CCHI. CCHI will not certify sign language interpreters at this point; the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf has extensive experience in developing certification programs for sign language interpreters and a representative of RID serves on CCHI’s Advisory Panel. CCHI’s certification will be appropriate for assessing bi-lingual staff who interpret but it will not assess the competency of bi-lingual staff who provide services directly in a non-English language.
4. Exploration of full certification portfolio -- CCHI anticipates releasing the initial credentialing examination in a number of languages. But which languages will be determined, in part, by the Job Task Analysis. The final decision will be made by the Commission with input from many stakeholders, including working interpreters. But for some languages, such as languages of lesser diffusion, CCHI will explore alternative processes for certification. The Job Task Analysis may also identify areas where an advanced or specialized credential would be useful (such as mental health or end-of-life). After development of the initial credential and with input from the field, CCHI will explore whether to create additional credentials.