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The Ohio Supreme Court offers online training sessions for those interested in becoming court interpreters.

The Ohio Supreme Court has launched a series of online training sessions to assist individuals interested in becoming court interpreters or improving their interpreting skills for legal proceedings. The new training modules help to prepare individuals who want to obtain credentialing as a court interpreter.

Each online training session includes a lesson plan and a video presentation. The self-paced and language-neutral trainings, which are available on the Supreme Court’s website, cover six topics:

Module 1: Introduction to Legal Interpreting
Module 2: Court Interpreter Ethics
Module 3: Ohio Criminal and Civil Procedure
Module 4: Legal Terminology and Research
Module 5: Modes of Interpretation
Module 6: Preparing for a Case

The Supreme Court’s Language Services Program administers the testing, certification, and credentialing of court interpreters. In addition to the new training modules, the Language Services Program offers specialized training to interpreters preparing for certification and credentialing.

To receive credentialing as a court interpreter, individuals must attend mandatory trainings, take a written exam, complete an oral exam or assessment, submit to a background check, and sign an oath to comply with a code of professional conduct for interpreters. Check the website for a schedule of upcoming workshops.

After earning their credentials, interpreters also must comply with continuing education requirements. Credentialed interpreters must complete 24 hours of court-interpreter related training. 

The online training sessions are made possible through funding from the State Justice Institute.