Current Interpreter Testing Opportunities

July 1, 2026: All Examination Registrations are Now Open! 

The Court Interpreters Program (CIP) has updated its interpreter testing registration process. While the examinations remain the same, candidates will now register through new online websites designed to provide a more streamlined testing experience. 

Written Examination and Bilingual Interpreting Examination (BIE) 

Effective July 1, 2026, De La Mora Institute is the CIP’s testing vendor for the Written Examination (required for all languages) and the Bilingual Interpreting Examination (BIE) (required for certified spoken languages).  
Candidates can create an online account to: 

• Register for the Written Examination and BIE during scheduled registration periods. 

• View examination scores and testing history. 

The Written Examination will be offered during scheduled testing events, expected to occur quarterly. The BIE will continue to be offered twice each year at multiple locations throughout California. Candidates are encouraged to review the Candidate Information Guide.  

Written Examination 

• Registration is open July 1–31, 2026. 

• Test dates: August 10–19, 2026 

• REGISTER FOR THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION 

Bilingual Interpreting Examination (BIE) 

• Registration is open July 1–24, 2026. 

• Test dates: September 14–October 16, 2026 

• REGISTER FOR THE BIE 

Oral Proficiency Examination (OPE) 

Effective July 1, 2026, Language Testing International (LTI) will administer the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) also known as the Oral Proficiency Examination (OPE), which is required in English and the target language (when available) for registered languages. 

Candidates will register through LTI's online system. The OPE will be administered remotely by a live proctor using the candidate's computer, webcam, and telephone, allowing candidates to test from home.  

 Oral Proficiency Examination (OPE) 

• Registration is open July 1, 2026.  

• Test dates: Available year-round by appointment. 

• Review the registration sheet to learn how to register. 

• REGISTER FOR THE OPE 

Testing Questions? Visit our FAQ page. 
 

🛠️ Need Assistance or Want to Share Feedback? Whether you experience issues during exam administration—such as technology malfunctions, proctor errors, or noise disturbances—or wish to share positive feedback about your experience, please contact the Court Interpreters Program at: 📧 courtinterpreters@jud.ca.gov 

American Sign Language (ASL): 

Currently, there is no state ASL exam to become a court interpreter, but interested candidates have two reciprocity pathways to enroll on the Judicial Council Master List as a credentialed ASL Court Interpreter:

• The Texas Board for the Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) Court Interpreter Certification (currently testing)
• The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Specialist Certification: Legal (current holders of this formerly offered certification)

To learn more about reciprocity visit our ASL webpage.
If you have one of the valid credentials listed above, please email us to request a reciprocity application: courtinterpreters@jud.ca.gov

Japanese, Khmer, and Western Armenian Languages:

January 1, 2025, candidates pursuing court interpreter credentialing in Japanese, Khmer, and Western Armenian must pass both the Written Exam and the Oral Proficiency Exam (OPE) in English and the target language.
For more details, visit our Registered Court Interpreter webpage.

Return to the Become a Court Interpreter webpage.