Fall 2025 Registration Now Open
Carson City, NV (July 15, 2025) — In 2024, more than 3,100 court cases across Nevada relied on interpreters to help participants fully understand and engage in legal proceedings. As the state’s population grows, the Supreme Court of Nevada is inviting bilingual individuals to participate in the justice system by becoming certified court interpreters.
Court interpreters are vital to the legal system, allowing Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals to understand and participate fully in court proceedings. The most requested languages last year included Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Vietnamese, yet Nevada had only 79 certified Spanish court interpreters. The need for qualified professionals is urgent.
“Court interpreters make the justice system accessible for thousands of Nevadans,” said Amanda Walker, Language Access Program Administrator. “We’re asking bilingual residents to be part of this essential public service.”
Registration for the Fall 2025 Certified Court Interpreter Exam is now open. The deadline to register for the oral exam is September 22, 2025. The deadline for written exam registration is October 20, 2025.
Oral exams will be held in Las Vegas from November 3 to 7, and in Carson City on November 10 and 12. Written exams will take place on November 7 in Las Vegas and November 10 in Carson City. A self-assessment tool is available online to help candidates evaluate their readiness before registering.
To become a certified court interpreter in Nevada, applicants must complete an online Written Orientation Workshop, available mid-July. This virtual workshop introduces candidates to Nevada’s judicial system, court interpreting standards, and interpreter ethics.
Applicants must also pass the written exam with a minimum score of 80 percent. The test is two hours and 15 minutes long and includes 135 multiple-choice questions that cover language proficiency, legal terminology, and professional conduct.
Candidates then complete the Oral Orientation Workshop, which covers the modes of interpreting used in court and offers a skills overview. To pass the oral exam, applicants must score at least 70 percent. The oral exam includes four parts and assesses sight translation (English to foreign language and vice versa), consecutive interpretation, and simultaneous interpretation.
For languages where no National Center for State Courts oral exam exists, candidates may complete an Oral Proficiency Interview instead. A minimum score of “Advanced Mid” is required.
In addition to the testing process, applicants must provide verification of 40 hours of courtroom observation or court interpreting work in Nevada, submit a fingerprint card, pay a $50 administrative fee, and provide a passport-size photo.
The Supreme Court also offers alternate certification pathways:
- Reciprocity is available for interpreters certified in other states or federally. Applicants must submit a letter of good standing, documentation of past exam scores, and the standard Nevada forms and materials.
- Conditionally Approved Status is available when no credentialed interpreter is available for a given proceeding. Candidates must pass both the orientation workshops, score at least 80 percent on the written exam, and meet lower oral testing thresholds (either 60 percent on the oral exam or “Advanced Low” on the OPI).
Certified and registered court interpreters are key to helping all Nevadans participate in the legal system and understand their rights under the law. Individuals interested in applying or learning more about the program, exam dates, and preparation materials should visit www.nvcourts.gov/aoc/programs_and_services/court_interpreter/become_a_court_interpreter.
Informational videos in English and Spanish are also available on YouTube:
- Conviértete en Intérprete Judicial Certificado en Nevada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sau21m2M_XU
- Become a Certified Court Interpreter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djRB08fARt0
About the Supreme Court of Nevada
The Supreme Court of Nevada is the highest authority in the state’s judicial system. Composed of seven justices, with one serving as the Chief Justice, the Court hears appeals from district courts across Nevada’s 11 judicial districts and is responsible for the regulation of the state judiciary. The Administrative Office of the Courts acts to support the Chief Justice in fulfilling his or her constitutional responsibility to be the administrative head of the Branch and provides a number of programs and services for both the appellate and trial courts. To learn more about the Supreme Court of Nevada, visit https://nvcourts.gov