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Application



FAQ
Completing the Application
  • Is there an application fee?.
    No, it is free.
  • If I am both an interpreter and a translator, will I fill out two separate applications?
    No, this is a combined application for both interpreters and translators. When you start your application, you will be asked to select your profile. You will see the relevant question set(s) based on the profile you selected.
  • Do I need to answer all the questions on the application?
    Yes, you need to respond to all the questions to complete the application.
  • What information will be posted on the Roster?
    The posted information includes applicant’s full name, contact email, contact phone number, mailing address (optional), role(s) as interpreter and/or translator, availability in day/time/location (interpreter only), interpreting modality (interpreter only), language(s) that can interpret/translate. Information related to applicant’s education/certification/training/proficiency test, will only be posted if applicant provides supporting documents for verification.
  • Can I choose not to post my contact information?
    You can choose not to post mailing address by checking this option on the application. Phone number and email address will be posted on the Roster.

Requirements for individual interpreters
  • Are there general requirements for individual interpreters?
    An applicant shall be eligible for consideration for inclusion as an interpreter on the roster upon establishing to the satisfaction of the Office of Language Access (OLA) executive director that the applicant:
    (a) is at least 18 years of age;
    (b) is eligible to work in the United States;
    (c) has a high school or higher education diploma or general education development certificate;
    (d) has completed at least sixteen hours of basic interpreter training provided by OLA or attended and successfully completed interpreter training programs approved by OLA; and
    (e) demonstrates English language proficiency through:
    1. Completing at least 48 semester college credit hours or equivalent with classes conducted in English;
    2. Holding bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, or any other degree from an institution of higher education with classes conducted in English;
    3. Possessing a credential from an established interpreter certification program that includes a language-specific performance test as determined by OLA; or
    4. Possessing a valid English language proficiency scale as determined by the OLA executive director, and
    (f) demonstrates non-English language proficiency through:
    1. Completing at least 48 semester college credit hours or equivalent with classes conducted in the non-English language;
    2. Holding bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, or any other degree from an institution of higher education with classes conducted in the non- English language;
    3. Possessing a score of advanced high on American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) assessment;
    4. Possessing a score of 2+ on Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) equivalent;
    5. Possessing a credential from an established interpreter certification program that includes a language-specific performance test as determined by OLA; or
    6. Possessing a valid language proficiency scale as determined by the OLA executive director. (Auth: HRS §321C-6)
Requirements for individual translators
  • Are there general requirements for individual translators?
    An applicant shall be eligible for consideration to be listed as a translator on the roster upon establishing to the satisfaction of the OLA executive director that the applicant:
    (a) is at least 18 years of age;
    (b) is eligible to work in the United States;
    (c) has a high school or higher education diploma or general education development certificate; and approved by OLA. (Auth: HRS §321C-6)
    (d) possess a current translation certification from the American Translators Association (ATA), or Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DHSH), or other programs
Supporting documents
  • Do I have to upload supporting documents for my education, certification, training experience or proficiency test?
    Yes, all supporting documents to fulfill the "Requirements for individual interpreters" and/or "Requirements for individual translators" must be uploaded along with the application.
  • What are the supporting documents?
    In the application, you will be asked questions regarding your education, certification, training experience and proficiency test. If you select an answer other than “not applicable”, you will be asked to provide detailed information as well as supporting documents to verify this information. Supporting documents can be diploma or certificate issued by the educational institutes, proof of attendance issued by the training entity, or other document(s) that can verify your claim. To verify a name change, please show government-issued document(s) as proof.
  • What file formats can I upload for the supporting documents?
    PDF,JPG, JPEG, PNG, Excel, and Word files are the only acceptable file formats. Each uploaded file cannot exceed 2 MB.
  • What if my supporting document(s) are not in English?
    You can self-translate the original document(s) and provide the translation along with the original document(s) to us.
  • What if I do not have the supporting document available when I start the application?
    You can save the application, complete, and submit the application within 7 days. A link will be emailed to you for the re-entry of your application and this link will stay active for 7 days.
  • What if I cannot complete and submit my application before the “re-entry” link expires?
    You can start a new application with us.
  • If I changed my name and the name on my diploma or other documents does not match my current name, do I have to provide documents to verify my name change?
    Yes, since education verification is a part of the translator and interpreter requirements, you will need to schedule a meeting via this application to show OLA staff the proof document(s). To protect your privacy, please do NOT submit the proof document(s) for name change via the application.
  • If I did not upload my supportive document before submitting my application, can I send my document by email afterwards?
    You can upload your supporting documents by submitting this update request online.

Submit application
  • Will I receive a copy of my response after submitting my application?
    Yes, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to all your response after submitting your application.
  • Will my application be posted on the Roster right after its submission?
    No, your application will go through a review process. The process time varies according to each application.
  • Will I be notified when my application is posted on the Roster?
    Yes, you will be notified via email.

After the submission
  • If I want to inquiry about my application status, is there a number to call?
    Yes, you can contact the Office of Language Access at 808 586 8730.
  • Can I update my information after it has been posted?
    Yes, you can submit an update request online or you can respond to our annual update request (AUR). If your application is posted anytime during this year, you will receive your first AUR next year on November 30 at 8 am via email.
  • Is there a next step for me after my information being posted on the Roster?
    Yes, please help us keep the Roster’s information up to date by responding to our annual update request (AUR). If your application is posted anytime during this year, you will receive your first AUR next year on November 30 at 8 am. You will have 30 days to respond. If we receive no response by December 30, your application will be considered inactive and be removed from the Roster. If you respond to our AUR request by the deadline, your application will remain posted. The AUR process will occur every year thereafter.
Registered on Roster
  • How much can I charge the clients that hire me? Are there standard hourly rates?
    Please discuss this matter with your client directly before accepting the job.
  • What if I change my mind and wish to remove my application from posting?
    Please let us know your decision to remove your application by submitting the online request.
  • Is there a continued education requirement for interpreters and/or translators on the Roster?
    Yes,
    (a) OLA shall operate a continuing education program to allow listed interpreters and translators to maintain the eligibility to be listed on the roster.
    (b) The requirements for the continuing education program shall be 3.0 continuing education units per two-calendar year cycle
    (c) A continuing education unit is the equivalent of 1 hour of participation in an OLA organized workshop, seminar, lecture, conference, class, or other education activity to increase knowledge, skills, and competency relevant to the practice of interpreting and translating. (Auth: HRS §321C-6)
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