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Arizona Language Access and Interpreter Information
 
Providing meaningful access to justice for all people.
 

The Arizona Judiciary is committed to providing meaningful access to justice for all people and increasing the availability and quality of court interpreters and interpreter services.

  • Implemented language access plans for courts on how to cover proceedings for non-English speakers not currently provided for (AO 2011-96).
  • Established the Court Interpreter Program Advisory Committee to recommend policies for language access and the credentialing of interpreters (AO 2015-95), followed by the adoption of the Arizona Court Interpreter Code of Conduct.
  • Adopted the Arizona Court Interpreter Credentialing Program to assist courts in locating and utilizing qualified foreign language interpreters (AO 2016-02), followed by the adoption of continuing education requirements (ACJA § 7-301).
 
NEW FOR 2023

New continuing education requirements have been adopted for ACICP credentialed interpreters to promote professional development. (ACJA § 7-301)

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
 
Becoming a Professional Court Interpreter (Spoken Languages)

General Qualifications

Each court in the state hires interpreters individually, and may conduct testing or require certain skills and interpreting experience. We encourage individuals interested in becoming a court interpreter to review the National Center for State Courts "Qualification for Court Interpreting" self-assessment tool. The Arizona Judiciary will require court interpreter staff to hold an Arizona credential. Courts will show a preference towards credentialed contract interpreters over non-credentialed contractors.

Education

Various colleges, universities, and professional organizations offer courses and seminars in court interpreting throughout Arizona and other states. Go to the Resources for Interpreters page for more information.

The ACICP compiled some offerings for interpreters who wish to develop their knowledge, skills, and abilities to improve job performance and prepare for the ACICP credentialing exams.

Credentialing

Arizona offers a credentialing program that rates the skills and abilities of an interpreter in their target spoken language. Interpreters can earn a credential based on the results of an ethics course, court overview course, oral proficiency interview, English written exam, and oral court interpreter exam (consisting of three parts). The ACICP Program page is available for individuals interested in seeking a credential with the Arizona Judiciary.
 
Experienced Interpreters

The purpose of the Arizona Court Interpreter Registry is to collect information from individuals with interpreting experience who are willing to provide interpreting services in the Arizona court system. It also serves as the first step for interpreters who wish to become credentialed in Arizona. Additionally, it serves to track interpreter credential information. Information provided through the registry by the interpreter will be shared with court staff responsible for hiring and/or contracting with interpreters on behalf of the Arizona courts.
The Arizona Supreme Court does not endorse, recommend or guarantee work for anyone listed in this registry. It is provided as a resource for courts to identify individuals from which they can choose to contact and conduct hiring decisions based on their needs and requirements.
Roster of Interpreters

The Arizona Roster of Credentialed Court Interpreters is a list of interpreters who have completed at least one tier in the Arizona Court Interpreter Credentialing Program and are, therefore, considered to be "credentialed." The list is grouped by spoken languages and includes the interpreter's credential level.
Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Arizona statute requires licensure of all American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters (ARS § 36-1946). ASL interpreters go through a rigorous testing and certification program in order to be licensed to interpret within the State of Arizona. ASL interpreters are not required to obtain a credential in addition to their state license.

ASL licensure is handled by the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ACDHH). Information detailing the steps necessary to become a licensed ASL interpreter in Arizona is available on their website. ASL interpreters must hold a legal license from the ACDHH to interpret for legal proceedings (ARS § 36-1971).

ACDHH WEBSITEAMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACTARIZONA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
The Arizona Judiciary encourages all licensed ASL interpreters to register with our Arizona Court Interpreter Registry so that courts can view their information. ASL Interpreters interested in completing the English Written Exam as part of the BEI testing required for legal licensure in Arizona should go to the Registration Form.
Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
100 N. 15th Ave.
Suite 104
Phoenix, AZ 85007
www.ACDHH.org 		ACDHH Contact Information
Voice: (602) 542-3323
Video Phone: (480) 559-9441
Voice/TTY: (800) 352-8161
TTY: (602) 364-0990
Fax: (602) 542-3380
 
Contact Us
 
Do you have questions about the roster? Do you have a link to resources that may be useful to other interpreters?
 
[email protected]
(602) 452-3333
Arizona Supreme Court
Administrative Office of the Courts
Language Access Services
1501 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007