FCICE Exam Info
The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination written phase will be administered May 5-19, 2025. Registration period: Feb. 3 – May 2, 2025.
The oral phase will be administered Aug. 4-18, 2025. Registration period: June 23 – August 1, 2025. Click here for more information.
The use of competent federal court interpreters in proceedings involving speakers of languages other than English is critical to ensure that justice is carried out fairly for defendants and other stakeholders.
The Court Interpreters Act, 28 U.S.C. §1827 provides that the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall prescribe, determine, and certify the qualifications of persons who may serve as certified interpreters, when the Director considers certification of interpreters to be merited, for the hearing impaired (whether or not also speech impaired) and persons who speak only or primarily a language other than the English language, in judicial proceedings instituted by the United States.
National Court Interpreter Database (NCID) Gateway
The NCID is used by the federal courts for contact information when in need of contract court interpreting services.
Types of Interpreters
The Administrative Office classifies three categories of interpreters:
Interpreter Qualifications
The professional knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a federal court interpreter are highly complex. Communication in courtroom proceedings may be more complex than that in other settings or in everyday life. For example, the parties involved may use specialized and legal terminology, formal and informal registers, dialect and jargon, varieties in language and nuances of meaning.
Current Fees for Court Interpreters
Federally Certified Interpreters
Full-Day: $566
Half-Day: $320
Overtime: $80 per hour or part thereof
Professionally Qualified Interpreters
Full-Day: $495
Half-Day: $280
Overtime: $70 per hour or part thereof
Language Skilled Interpreters (non-certified)
Full-Day: $350
Half-Day: $190
Overtime: $44 per hour or part thereof
Contract Court Interpreter Services
- Purchase Order Terms and Conditions (PDF)
- BPA Terms and Conditions - Rate Sheet (PDF)
- Standards for Performance and Professional Responsibility (PDF)
Court Interpreting Guidance
Video
Learn about how a court interpreter supports the judiciary.