Certified Interpreters

CCHI’s certification credentials are valid for four (4) years from the date of passing your final examination. You may start uploading your continuing education documentation as soon as you get certified. This way you’ll never lose any documents.

Review information about the renewal process here.

The Polices below document appropriate use of CCHI’s Marks and Designations:

• CORE CERTIFICATION HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER™ (CoreCHI™)
• CORE CERTIFICATION HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER – PERFORMANCE™ (CoreCHI-Performance™ or CoreCHI-P™)
• CERTIFIED HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER™ (CHI™): CHI™-Spanish, CHI™-Arabic, CHI™-Mandarin

In brief, the following distinctions are important:

• CoreCHI certificants cannot specify a language with the CoreCHI mark.
• The CoreCHI mark is not available for interpreters of Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish. They may only earn a higher, language-specific designation (CHI).
• CHI certificants must specify the primary language of the credential’s performance exam by providing it immediately after the designation either with a hyphen or in parentheses. E.g., Certified Healthcare Interpreter™-Spanish OR Certified Healthcare Interpreter (Arabic) OR CHI-Mandarin. They can no longer use the CHI designation alone after their name.
• CoreCHI-Performance certificants may specify the primary language of verified language proficiency in the Language Other Than English (LOTE) as long as they follow these conventions:
  – This statement must be placed immediately after the designation, with a coma or with the symbol & or in parentheses.
  – This statement must include either the word “proficient” or “proficiency.”
  E.g., Core Certification Healthcare Interpreter –Performance™, French proficient
  OR Core Certification Healthcare Interpreter – Performance™ (French Language Proficiency)
  OR Core Certification Healthcare Interpreter – Performance™ & French Language Proficiency

Review the Guide to the Use of the CoreCHI™ Mark by clicking here. It is not to be used by interpreters working in languages for which the CHI™ certification exists (not for Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish).

Review the Guide to the Use of the CoreCHI-Performance™ Mark by clicking here. Pay special attention to how certificants may specify their primary language of verified language proficiency.

Review the Guide to the Use of the CHI™ Mark by clicking here. It applies to interpreters working in languages for which the bilingual CHI™ performance examination exists (Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish).

Failure to comply with these policies may result in a disciplinary action and/or revocation of certification. If you have questions about these guidelines, or if you become aware of any unauthorized use of any CCHI’s mark, you can send an e-mail to CCHI to info@cchicertification.org. Please include a copy or screenshot of unauthorized use with the e-mail.

Every CCHI Certified Healthcare Interpreter™ (CHI™), Core Certification Healthcare Interpreter™ (CoreCHI™), or CoreCHI-Performance™ (CoreCHI-P™) certificant will receive a PDF file (black and white) of their CCHI certificate within four weeks of being notified of their certification award. IMPORTANT: Certificates issued upon successful certification renewal are emailed within four (4) weeks after the expiration date of certification (and not after your renewal application acceptance).

CCHI also offers several options to obtain, for an additional fee, a printed certificate for recipients who want a more formal acknowledgement of their achievement.

• At a cost of $10 – A duplicate PDF file of your certificate OR a certificate reflecting your name change will be emailed to you.  If you lose or misplace the original PDF file that CCHI sent to you or if you had a name change, contact us at apply@cchicertification.org to request a new electronic certificate issued.
• At a cost of $20 (plus shipping) – A formal color paper certificate will be mailed to your home address.  Only healthcare interpreters who have received their official certificates from CCHI’s vendor with a specific order code will be able to order certificates. Click here to order or reorder your certificate.
• At a cost of $ 35 (plus shipping) – A formal color framed certificate will be mailed to your home address.   Only healthcare interpreters who have received their official certificates from CCHI’s vendor with a specific order code will be able to order certificates. Click here to order or reorder your certificate.

If you have questions or concerns about your paper certificate order, please call 888-274-4483.

More healthcare interpreters than ever are working virtually. We’ve compiled some resources, including helpful scripts and educational webinars, to help you succeed in remote interpretation.

I hereby declare, on oath, that I will interpret accurately and completely to the best of my ability all verbal content, taking into account the cultural and non-verbal context of all messages from all parties involved, without changing their meaning, adding or omitting anything.

While doing so:

1. I will support the patient-provider professional relationship, and I will protect the health and well-being of the patient as the most sacred aspect of my duties as an interpreter.

2. I will protect the privacy of all parties and maintain confidential the information that I interpret.

3. I will inform patients and healthcare providers of my duty and responsibility to respect their autonomy by being impartial.

4. I will treat everyone equally and with respect, regardless of their race, color, national origin, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or cultural beliefs.

5. I will conduct myself with integrity, in a manner consistent with the highest standards of practice for my profession, and the respect my fellow interpreters deserve.

6. I will respect the differences, and value the cultural similarities of all; understanding that culture and diversity have a fundamental impact on how health is perceived, how health care is sought and delivered.

7. I will admit my errors, and I will correct them as soon as I become aware of them, and I shall not hesitate to ask clarification for what I do not know or understand.

I make this pledge in the name of the duties and responsibilities that I humbly accept by becoming a Certified Healthcare Interpreter.

©2015, CCHI (Courtesy of Jose Garcia, President of CHIA)

As a holder of CCHI certification you must follow CCHI’s policies.

Review the Disciplinary Policy.