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10 Best Medical Interpreter Certifications of 2026
This list is for bilingual people who want to work as certified medical interpreters in the U.S., and for working interpreters weighing a second credential in translation, sign language or court work. We compared documented requirements, exam formats and published fees for six credentials (from CCHI, NBCMI, ATA, RID and the federal courts) and four 40-hour training programs that CCHI and NBCMI accept as their training prerequisite. Scores weigh features (recognition, scope and career value) at 40 percent, ease of access (prerequisites, languages and testing options) at 30 percent and value at 30 percent. Fees are U.S. prices for one attempt at regular, non-member rates.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 10, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
CCHI's CHI is our top pick for interpreters of Spanish, Arabic or Mandarin, since it pairs a knowledge exam with a bilingual performance exam and CCHI reports NCCA accreditation for the Spanish version. NBCMI's CMI is the close alternative: it fully certifies six languages, lets you take exams through online proctoring and only needs renewal every five years. Interpreters of other languages should look at CCHI's CoreCHI-P or NBCMI's Hub-CMI. Both bodies require 40 hours of medical interpreter training first, and Bridging the Gap, The Medical Interpreter Online, ALTA and MITS all meet that rule for $390 to $798. ATA, RID and the federal court exam are worth it only if translation, sign language or court work is your goal.
Top picks
Best overall
CCHI CHI (Certified Healthcare Interpreter)
8.6 / 10
Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin interpreters who want an accredited national credential for hospital and clinic work.
Read the review →Runner-up
NBCMI CMI (Certified Medical Interpreter)
8.5 / 10
Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Korean and Vietnamese interpreters who want to test from home.
Read the review →Also great
CCHI CoreCHI-P (CoreCHI-Performance)
8.4 / 10
Interpreters of languages other than Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin who want an accredited credential.
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CCHI CHI (Certified Healthcare Interpreter) | Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin interpreters who want an accredited national credential for hospital and clinic work. | $231 application and CoreCHI knowledge exam, then $302 for the CHI performance exam; $300 renewal for the first credential | 8.6 |
| 2 | NBCMI CMI (Certified Medical Interpreter) | Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Korean and Vietnamese interpreters who want to test from home. | $40 registration, $190 written exam and $300 oral exam; renewal $300 every 5 years | 8.5 |
| 3 | CCHI CoreCHI-P (CoreCHI-Performance) | Interpreters of languages other than Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin who want an accredited credential. | $231 application and CoreCHI knowledge exam, then $302 for the EtoE performance exam; $300 renewal for the first credential | 8.4 |
| 4 |  Bridging the Gap Medical Interpreter Training | New interpreters who learn best in a live class with role plays and an instructor. | $798 plus applicable taxes for the 40-hour live online course; language assessment from $78 if needed | 8.1 |
| 5 |  The Medical Interpreter Online (Cross-Cultural Communications) | Bilingual people on a budget who want to meet the CCHI and NBCMI training rule at their own pace. | $390 special price (regular $690) for 120 days of access | 8.1 |
| 6 |  ALTA 40-Hour Medical Interpreter Training | Self-paced learners who still want some live coaching in their language pair. | $735 for 16 weeks of access with office hours and group coaching | 7.9 |
| 7 |  MITS 40-Hour Spanish Medical Interpreter Course | Spanish and English bilingual speakers who want training built around their language pair. | $640 one-time payment for one year of access | 7.9 |
| 8 |  ATA Certification (Certified Translator) | Experienced translators who want a recognized U.S. credential for written translation. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.8 |
| 9 |  RID NIC (National Interpreter Certification) | ASL and English interpreters who want the national generalist credential. | $500 knowledge exam and $550 performance exam at regular rates ($400 and $500 for RID members), effective October 1, 2026 | 7.6 |
| 10 |  Federal Court Interpreter Certification (FCICE) | Highly fluent Spanish and English interpreters aiming for federal court work. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.5 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
CCHI CHI (Certified Healthcare Interpreter)
CCHI's full medical interpreter certification for Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin, earned by passing a knowledge exam and a bilingual performance exam.
cchicertification.org8.6
out of 10
Best for: Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin interpreters who want an accredited national credential for hospital and clinic work.
The CHI is CCHI's top credential for interpreters of Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin. CCHI has run a national certification program for medical interpreters of all languages since 2009, and it states that its CHI-Spanish, CoreCHI and CoreCHI-P credentials are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The path has two steps. First you pass the CoreCHI exam, a multiple-choice knowledge test in English that runs year-round at test centers or online. Then, within 12 months, you pass the bilingual CHI performance exam, which is given only at physical test centers in the U.S. and Canada. To apply you need to be 18 or older, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, show 40 hours of healthcare interpreter training and prove proficiency in English and your other language. The initial fee is $231, including the knowledge exam, and the CHI exam adds $302. Renewal for the first credential costs $300. For interpreters in the three covered languages, it is the strongest credential on this list.
Standout feature
The only credential here whose Spanish version CCHI reports as accredited by the NCCA.
Use cases
Bilingual Spanish speakers working in hospitals
Earn a national, accredited medical interpreter credential
Outcome: A CHI-Spanish listing in CCHI's public registry that employers can verify
Arabic or Mandarin interpreters
Move from trained to fully certified status
Outcome: A performance-tested credential in their language pair
Key features
- Two steps: the CoreCHI multiple-choice knowledge exam, then the bilingual CHI performance exam
- Performance exam offered in Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin
- CCHI says CHI-Spanish, CoreCHI and CoreCHI-P are NCCA-accredited
- Knowledge exam offered year-round at test centers or online
- Listed in CCHI's public National Certified Interpreter Registry
Pros
- CCHI describes its accredited credentials as the only accredited interpreter certifications in the U.S.
- Applications are typically reviewed within 10 business days
- Total exam cost of $533 is in line with NBCMI's CMI
Cons
- Oral CHI exam is given only at physical test centers in the U.S. and Canada
- You must pass the CHI exam within 12 months of the CoreCHI exam or retake CoreCHI
- Only three languages have a CHI performance exam
Rank 2 · Runner-up
NBCMI CMI (Certified Medical Interpreter)
The National Board's medical interpreter certification, with full written and oral testing in six languages and a written Hub-CMI credential for every other language.
certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org8.5
out of 10
Best for: Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Korean and Vietnamese interpreters who want to test from home.
The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters, founded in 2009 and an independent division of the International Medical Interpreters Association, awards the CMI after a written and an oral exam. It offers full certification in six languages: Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Vietnamese and Korean. Interpreters of other languages can earn the Hub-CMI by passing the written exam alone. The written exam is 61 percent medical knowledge and 15 percent ethics, and the oral exam tests terminology, linguistic knowledge, consecutive interpreting, sight translation and cultural awareness. You can take the written test online through ProProctor, which runs nights and weekends, or at a test site. Candidates need to be 18 or older, have a high school education and show at least 40 hours of medical interpreter training. Fees since January 2025 are $40 to register, $190 for the written exam and $300 for the oral exam. The CMI lasts five years and costs $300 to renew with 30 hours of continuing education.
Standout feature
Full written and oral certification in six languages, the widest language coverage here.
Use cases
Korean or Vietnamese interpreters
Earn full certification in a language CCHI's CHI does not test
Outcome: A CMI credential with written and oral testing in their language
Interpreters in rural areas
Sit the written exam without traveling
Outcome: Same-day results through online proctoring
Key features
- Full written and oral certification in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Vietnamese and Korean
- Hub-CMI written credential for interpreters of all other languages
- Written exam taken online through ProProctor live proctoring or at a test site
- Assigned Program Adviser for each candidate
- Public online registry that employers can search
Pros
- Covers six languages with full certification, more than CCHI's CHI
- CMI is valid for five years before renewal
- Written exam results arrive right away
Cons
- NBCMI does not report NCCA accreditation the way CCHI does
- Registration lasts one year, and a $40 re-registration fee applies after that
- A failed written exam means a 3-month wait before retaking
Rank 3 · Also great
CCHI CoreCHI-P (CoreCHI-Performance)
CCHI's performance-based certification for interpreters of languages without a CHI exam, built on the CoreCHI knowledge exam and an English-to-English performance exam.
cchicertification.org8.4
out of 10
Best for: Interpreters of languages other than Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin who want an accredited credential.
CoreCHI-P is CCHI's answer for the many interpreters whose language has no bilingual performance exam. You pass the same CoreCHI knowledge exam as CHI candidates, meet CCHI's language proficiency rules, then take the EtoE exam, a monolingual English-to-English performance test of interpreting skills. CCHI lists CoreCHI-P among its NCCA-accredited credentials. The eligibility rules match the CHI: age 18 or older, a high school diploma or equivalent, and 40 hours of healthcare interpreter training. Fees are also the same, at $231 for the application and knowledge exam and $302 for the EtoE exam. The timing matters in 2026: CCHI awards the knowledge-only CoreCHI certification only until December 31, 2026, and is sunsetting it in 2027, so new candidates should plan to finish both steps. The trade-off is that the oral exam is taken only at physical test centers in the U.S. and Canada, and it cannot measure your accuracy in your other language.
Standout feature
The only accredited, performance-based medical interpreter credential open to every language.
Use cases
Haitian Creole, Somali or Portuguese interpreters
Earn a performance-based national credential
Outcome: Accredited certification even though no bilingual exam exists for their language
Current CoreCHI holders
Upgrade before the knowledge-only credential is sunset
Outcome: A performance credential that stays available after 2026
Key features
- Open to interpreters of all languages
- CoreCHI knowledge exam followed by the monolingual EtoE performance exam
- CCHI says CoreCHI-P is NCCA-accredited
- Language proficiency verified as part of eligibility
- Replaces the knowledge-only CoreCHI, which CCHI awards only until December 31, 2026
Pros
- Gives speakers of any language a path to a performance-tested, accredited credential
- Same fees as the CHI path
- Uses the same CoreCHI first step, so work toward it carries over
Cons
- EtoE exam is given only at physical test centers in the U.S. and Canada
- Performance is tested in English only, not in your other language
- The knowledge-only CoreCHI is being sunset in 2027, so plan for both exams
Rank 4
Bridging the Gap Medical Interpreter Training
A live 40-hour or 64-hour medical interpreter course, taught in English over Zoom, that meets the training requirement for CCHI and NBCMI.
xculture.org8.1
out of 10
Best for: New interpreters who learn best in a live class with role plays and an instructor.
Bridging the Gap is a live medical interpreter course that its provider describes as the first 40-hour program of its kind. It is taught in English and open to bilingual speakers of any language, with no interpreting experience required. Both the 40-hour and 64-hour versions qualify as the training prerequisite for CCHI and NBCMI, and the 64-hour version, which adds mental health interpreting and more terminology, is approved by the Oregon Health Authority. Classes run over Zoom on weekday afternoons Pacific Time, using lectures, role plays and case studies. You get a textbook, a bilingual medical glossary and a medication guide or mental health glossary, and a numbered certificate that does not expire after scoring 70 percent on the final exam. The posted price for the January 2027 40-hour course is $798 plus taxes. Applicants without proof of language proficiency take a phone assessment costing $78 or $90 and need a score of 9 out of 12. It costs more than self-paced courses, but it gives you real practice with an instructor.
Standout feature
The only training here with a 64-hour version approved by the Oregon Health Authority.
Use cases
Bilingual college students
Complete the 40-hour training needed for national certification
Outcome: A non-expiring certificate to upload with a CCHI or NBCMI application
Interpreters in Oregon
Meet the state's 60-hour training rule
Outcome: A 64-hour certificate approved by the Oregon Health Authority
Key features
- 40-hour and 64-hour courses, both accepted as CCHI and NBCMI prerequisites
- Live classes over Zoom with role plays, case studies and group discussion
- Textbook, bilingual medical glossary and a medication guide or mental health glossary
- Numbered certificate that does not expire after a 70 percent final exam score
- 64-hour course approved by the Oregon Health Authority
Pros
- The provider says it was the first 40-hour training of its kind
- Open to bilingual speakers of all languages with no interpreting experience
- Two to three scholarships offered each year
Cons
- The most expensive 40-hour option on this list
- You must attend every live session on fixed dates
- Some applicants pay an extra $78 to $90 language assessment
Rank 5
The Medical Interpreter Online (Cross-Cultural Communications)
Cross-Cultural Communications' self-paced 40-hour medical interpreter course, the medical-only online version of The Community Interpreter International.
cultureandlanguage.net8.1
out of 10
Best for: Bilingual people on a budget who want to meet the CCHI and NBCMI training rule at their own pace.
The Medical Interpreter Online (TMIO) is Cross-Cultural Communications' self-paced, medical-only version of The Community Interpreter International, its 40-hour certificate program. The vendor says TMIO satisfies the prerequisite training for both CCHI and NBCMI, and it is also recognized by the Maryland Court Interpreter Program. The course covers the U.S. healthcare system, three lessons of medical terminology, ethics, protocols from pre-session to post-session, consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation, cultural mediation and language access law. Content includes 10 video instructors, 22 role plays, many in nine language pairs with English, more than 240 interactive exercises and two textbooks as ebooks. To finish, you pass 22 lesson exit tests at 70 percent and a 90-minute final at 75 percent. The current special price is $390, against a regular $690, for 120 days of access that cannot be paused. The trade-off for the low price is that there is no live practice with an instructor.
Standout feature
The lowest-priced 40-hour training on this list at $390.
Use cases
Working bilingual staff
Fit 40 hours of training around a full-time job
Outcome: A certificate accepted by CCHI and NBCMI for $390
Interpreters of Amharic, Korean or Vietnamese
Practice role plays in their own language pair
Outcome: Prepared for the CMI or CoreCHI-P exams
Key features
- 40 hours of self-paced lessons with 120 days of access
- Satisfies the training prerequisite for CCHI and NBCMI
- 22 role plays, many in nine language pairs with English
- More than 240 interactive exercises and two textbooks in ebook format
- 4.0 RID CEUs and 40 OCCI PDUs
Pros
- Cheapest way on this list to meet the 40-hour requirement
- Start any time with no fixed class dates
- Certificates download as soon as you pass each lesson test
Cons
- No live instructor practice
- Access ends 120 days after purchase and cannot be paused
- The $390 price is a special price against a $690 regular price
Rank 6
ALTA 40-Hour Medical Interpreter Training
A self-paced 40-hour medical interpreter course from ALTA Language Services with live office hours, language-specific coaching and written and oral final exams.
altalang.com7.9
out of 10
Best for: Self-paced learners who still want some live coaching in their language pair.
ALTA Language Services, an employee-owned language company operating since 1980, sells a self-paced 40-hour medical interpreter course that it says is recognized by both CCHI and NBCMI as meeting their education requirement. For $735 you get 16 weeks of access to an interactive e-book and workbook, animated lessons, quizzes and downloadable materials. What sets it apart from other self-paced options is the live support: open office hours with an ALTA instructor, and weekly coaching sessions for your specific language pair, with medical role plays and instructor feedback. To earn ALTA's Certificate of Qualification you must pass a written exam online and an oral exam by phone or video, which gives you a realistic test of your interpreting before the national exams. ALTA also offers an 80-hour course for $1,050 for people who want more practice. The cost is the main drawback, since it runs nearly twice the price of the cheapest course here.
Standout feature
The only self-paced course here with weekly coaching for your language pair.
Use cases
Bilingual career changers
Train at their own pace with feedback on real interpreting
Outcome: A Certificate of Qualification accepted for CCHI and NBCMI
Candidates nervous about oral exams
Practice an oral test before the national exam
Outcome: Confidence going into the CHI or CMI oral exam
Key features
- 16 weeks of self-paced access with an interactive e-book and workbook
- Optional live office hours for all languages
- Weekly language-specific group coaching with role plays
- Written exam online and oral exam by phone or video
- Recognized by CCHI and NBCMI for the training requirement
Pros
- Live coaching in your language pair, which most self-paced courses lack
- An oral exam checks your interpreting before you face the national exam
- ALTA also sells an 80-hour course for $1,050 if you want more practice
Cons
- Nearly twice the price of The Medical Interpreter Online
- Access ends after 16 weeks
- You must pass both final exams to get the certificate
Rank 7
MITS 40-Hour Spanish Medical Interpreter Course
Medical Interpreting Training School's self-paced, Spanish-specific 40-hour course with mock CCHI and NBCMI exams.
medicalinterpretingtrainingschool.com7.9
out of 10
Best for: Spanish and English bilingual speakers who want training built around their language pair.
Medical Interpreting Training School (MITS) sells a 40-hour medical interpreter course written entirely for Spanish and English bilingual speakers. The school says it meets the 40-hour education requirement for both NBCMI and CCHI, so the completion certificate can be attached to a CHI-Spanish or CMI application. The curriculum covers interpreter roles and ethics, HIPAA, Spanish and English medical terminology including false cognates, consecutive and sight translation, note-taking, and practice with encounters such as hospital rooms, workers' compensation exams and mental health visits. A certification module walks through CCHI and NBCMI eligibility and includes mock exams. The price is a one-time $640 for a full year of access, with no books to buy and support by email and phone. It suits Spanish speakers who want every example in their own language pair, but it does not list live coaching, and it costs more than the general-purpose online course on this list.
Standout feature
The only course here built entirely around Spanish and English medical vocabulary.
Use cases
Spanish-speaking medical office staff
Train for CHI-Spanish or CMI-Spanish on their own schedule
Outcome: A 40-hour certificate plus mock exam practice
Bilingual parents returning to work
Study across several months without losing access
Outcome: Course completion within a one-year window
Key features
- 40 hours of Spanish and English specific training
- One full year of self-paced access
- Mock exams for the CCHI and NBCMI certifications
- Spanish and English medical terminology and real encounter practice
- Support by email and telephone
Pros
- All terminology and scenarios are in Spanish and English
- A full year to finish, longer than most self-paced courses
- No books to buy and no live attendance
Cons
- Spanish only
- No live coaching sessions listed
- Costs $250 more than The Medical Interpreter Online
Rank 8
ATA Certification (Certified Translator)
The American Translators Association's three-hour, open-book translation exam, which earns the CT designation.
atanet.org7.8
out of 10
Best for: Experienced translators who want a recognized U.S. credential for written translation.
ATA certification is the credential to get if your goal is written translation rather than interpreting. The American Translators Association describes it as the only widely recognized measure of competence for translation in the U.S., and certified translators can use the CT designation and seal. The exam is three hours long, open book and proctored. You can take it online on a day and time you choose within 30 days of registering, or in person at the ATA Annual Conference. Printed references are allowed, along with a short list of online resources, and results are pass or fail only. There are real gates: only ATA members can take the exam, ATA advises that only seasoned translators with higher education and work experience should sit it, and the exam is offered only for specific language combinations. ATA's FAQ lists the fee as $525. To keep the credential you report 20 continuing education points per three-year period. For medical interpreters, it is a useful second credential, not a replacement for CCHI or NBCMI.
Standout feature
The only translation credential on this list, with the CT designation ATA members recognize.
Use cases
Medical interpreters who also translate documents
Prove written translation skill to agencies and hospitals
Outcome: A CT designation alongside their interpreter credential
Freelance translators
Stand out in agency and direct-client bids
Outcome: A pass on ATA's open-book certification exam
Key features
- Three-hour, open-book, proctored translation exam
- Online exams on a day and time you choose, or in person at the ATA Annual Conference
- CT designation and seal for certified translators
- Offered only for specific language combinations
- 20 continuing education points per reporting period, regardless of the number of certifications
Pros
- ATA calls it the only widely recognized measure of translation competence in the U.S.
- Printed reference materials are allowed
- Online version lets you pick your own exam time
Cons
- Tests translation, not interpreting, so it does not qualify you as a medical interpreter
- Only ATA members can take the exam
- ATA advises that only seasoned translators with higher education and experience sit it
Rank 9
RID NIC (National Interpreter Certification)
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf's generalist certification for hearing American Sign Language interpreters, tested through CASLI.
rid.org7.6
out of 10
Best for: ASL and English interpreters who want the national generalist credential.
The NIC is the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf's certification for hearing interpreters working between American Sign Language and English. RID says NIC holders have shown general knowledge of interpreting, ethical decision making and interpreting skills that meet the standard for a broad range of interpretation and transliteration assignments, and the credential has been available since 2005. Deaf interpreters pursue the separate CDI. Testing runs through CASLI in two parts: the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam, which covers interpreting fundamentals and case studies, and the CASLI Generalist Performance Exam for NIC. Under rates effective October 1, 2026, the knowledge exam costs $500 and the performance exam $550 at regular rates, or $400 and $500 for RID members. It is not a medical credential, but it is RID's national generalist certification for hearing interpreters, which covers healthcare assignments along with other settings. For spoken language interpreters, it does not apply.
Standout feature
The only sign language credential on this list.
Use cases
ASL interpreters working in hospitals
Hold the national credential employers ask for
Outcome: NIC certification that covers medical and other settings
Graduates of interpreter education programs
Move from trained to nationally certified
Outcome: A pass on CASLI's knowledge and performance exams
Key features
- Generalist certification for hearing interpreters, available since 2005
- CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam covering interpreting fundamentals and case studies
- CASLI Generalist Performance Exam for NIC
- Lower exam rates for RID members
- Covers a broad range of interpretation and transliteration assignments, not only medical
Pros
- The national standard for hearing ASL interpreters in the U.S.
- Applies across medical, educational, legal and community settings
- RID membership cuts both exam fees
Cons
- Only relevant for sign language interpreters
- Exam fees rose on October 1, 2026, to $1,050 for both exams at regular rates
- Not specific to healthcare
Rank 10
Federal Court Interpreter Certification (FCICE)
The U.S. federal courts' two-phase Spanish and English certification exam for court interpreters.
uscourts.gov7.5
out of 10
Best for: Highly fluent Spanish and English interpreters aiming for federal court work.
The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination is the credential for interpreting in U.S. federal courts, and it is offered only for Spanish and English because that is the judiciary's main need. It has two phases. Phase One is a computer-based screener with multiple-choice tests of English and Spanish proficiency, scored the same day, and you must pass both sections to move on. Phase Two is an oral exam covering sight translation, simultaneous interpretation and consecutive interpretation in both directions, with legal terminology as well as formal and colloquial speech. The courts publish practice exams, tutorials and a handbook, but they do not offer training, so you need to find preparation elsewhere, for example through NAJIT or ATA resources. Registration for both phases is closed now, with the next exams in 2027 and registration dates due in December 2026. The exam page does not list a fee. It is a demanding test aimed at court work, not healthcare, so medical interpreters should treat it as a later career step.
Standout feature
The only credential here run by the federal judiciary.
Use cases
Certified Spanish medical interpreters
Add federal court work to their practice
Outcome: Eligibility for federal court interpreting assignments
State court interpreters
Move up to the federal level
Outcome: A credential recognized by the federal judiciary
Key features
- Phase One: computer-based multiple-choice tests of English and Spanish proficiency
- Phase Two: oral exam in sight translation, simultaneous and consecutive interpreting
- Written exam scores given on the day of testing
- Free practice exams and an examinee handbook online
- Next written and oral exams in 2027, with registration dates posted in December 2026
Pros
- The certification used by the federal judiciary
- Tests all three modes of interpreting in both directions
- Practice exams and tutorials are published online
Cons
- Spanish and English only
- Registration is closed until the 2027 cycle
- The federal courts do not offer any training, and the written exam can be taken only once per testing period
Frequently asked questions
+What is the best medical interpreter certification?
CCHI's CHI is the best for Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin interpreters, because it adds a bilingual performance exam to the CoreCHI knowledge exam and CCHI reports NCCA accreditation for CHI-Spanish. It costs $231 plus $302. NBCMI's CMI is the best alternative and covers six languages, including Cantonese, Russian, Korean and Vietnamese.
+What is the best certification for interpreters?
It depends on where you want to work. For hospitals and clinics, CCHI's CHI or CoreCHI-P, or NBCMI's CMI. For sign language, RID's NIC. For federal courts, the Spanish and English FCICE. Most people starting out as spoken language interpreters begin with a medical credential because the entry rules are 40 hours of training and a high school diploma.
+Which interpreter certification is best, CCHI or NBCMI?
CCHI is the better pick if your language is Spanish, Arabic or Mandarin, or if it has no oral exam at either body, thanks to its accredited CoreCHI-P. NBCMI is better for Cantonese, Russian, Korean and Vietnamese, and its written exam can be taken through online proctoring. Total exam fees are close: $533 at CCHI and $530 at NBCMI.
+What is the best translation certification?
In the U.S., ATA certification, which ATA calls the only widely recognized measure of translation competence in the country. It is a three-hour, open-book proctored exam that earns the CT designation, and ATA's FAQ lists the fee at $525. Only ATA members can take it.
+What training do I need before taking a medical interpreter exam?
CCHI and NBCMI both require at least 40 hours of medical interpreter training. Accepted programs include The Medical Interpreter Online at $390, MITS at $640 for Spanish speakers, ALTA at $735 and Bridging the Gap at $798 for a live course.
+Can I take a medical interpreter exam online?
Partly. NBCMI's written exam can be taken online through ProProctor, and CCHI's CoreCHI knowledge exam is offered online or at test centers. CCHI's oral CHI and EtoE exams are given only at physical test centers in the U.S. and Canada.
About this list
Updated November 10, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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