Do the documents I send with my application need to be translated into English? Where can I have them translated?

CCHI accepts translations done by any third party other than the applicant. If a translation is done by a freelance translator rather than an agency, the translation should be notarized, unless the freelance translator is ATA-certified and provides their certification number. CCHI may request a different translation version if our review identifies any issues with the submitted document. For further questions, contact our Registrar at apply@cchicertification.org.

What is CCHI’s Refund Policy?

All CCHI certificants, applicants, and candidates must comply with this Refund Policy. Submitting an application online constitutes understanding of and agreement to follow this Policy.

1.       Examination Fees

You may receive an exam fee refund ONLY IF your eligibility to take the corresponding exam has not expired, AND:

  • you have not scheduled your exam appointment yet, OR
  • if you have cancelled your exam appointment with Prometric, CCHI’s testing vendor. (Please be aware a $25 cancellation/rescheduling fee paid to Prometric will not be refunded.)

After you have taken the examination, OR if you missed your exam appointment, NO refunds will be granted.

Requests for a refund must be received prior to the end of your exam eligibility period:

  • For the CoreCHI™ exam – 6 (six) months from the date of the application approval;
  • For a CHI™ exam – 12 (twelve) months from the date of passing the CoreCHI exam.

CCHI does not grant refunds after that date (i.e., after the end of your eligibility).

CCHI charges a processing fee of $12 on all refunds. This amount is subject to change without notice.

To request a refund, you must contact CCHI via email at info@cchicertification.org.

To apply for a future exam after cancelling and receiving a refund, you must pay full costs.

2.       Application Fees

Application fees are non-refundable.

CCHI does NOT refund the following processing fees for:

  • Initial application
  • Renewal application

Reversing transaction charges in connection with payment of these fees without requesting a refund constitutes non-compliance with this policy and may incur disciplinary actions.

How can I change the name on my CCHI account and application?

Only CCHI staff can change the name on your account after verifying the information. Please email a valid document confirming your correct spelling of the name or name change to our Registrar at apply@cchicertification.org. The attached file must be either in JPG, PNG or PDF format; other formats are not accepted.

Some examples of accepted name verification or name change documents:

  • non-expired U.S. driver’s license
  • non-expired passport
  • marriage or divorce certificate with the name change
  • court order confirming name change.

What is language proficiency?

Language (linguistic) proficiency is the ability of an individual to communicate and/or perform their job in a specific language. Proficient speakers demonstrate both accuracy and fluency, and use a variety of discourse strategies.

For interpreters, language proficiency in two languages is a starting point; they also must possess interpreting skills that enable them to successfully convert meaning from one language into another.

There exist several reputable language proficiency scales:

ILR scale: The U.S. Interagency Language Roundtable descriptions of proficiency levels 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 characterize spoken-language use (http://www.govtilr.org/Skills/ILRscale1.htm).

ACTFL scale: Developed from the U.S. Federal Government’s ILR scale by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, the ACTFL proficiency scale has four main levels (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior). The first three levels are each subdivided into three sublevels (Low, Mid, and High) (https://www.actfl.org/resources/actfl-proficiency-guidelines-2012).

CEFR scale: The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and, increasingly, in other countries. The CEFR distinguishes between four kinds of language activities: reception (listening and reading), production (spoken and written), interaction (spoken and written), and mediation (translating and interpreting). Four broad domains are distinguished: educational, occupational, public, and personal. A language user can develop various degrees of competence in each of these domains and to help describe them the CEFR has provided a set of six Common Reference Levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions)

IELTS scale: The International English Language Testing System is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment. No minimum score is required to pass the test. An IELTS result or Test Report Form is issued to all test takers with a score from “band 1” (“non-user”) to “band 9” (“expert user”) and each institution sets a different threshold. (https://www.ielts.org/en-us/about-the-test/how-ielts-is-scored)

TOEFL scale: Test of English as a Foreign Language is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. TOEFL is scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points by adding scores from each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) which each receives a scaled score from 0 to 30. The test is accepted by many English-speaking academic and professional institutions; each institution establishes the minimally accepted score which varies from 61 to 111. (https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/scores/interpret/)

 

As of November 15, 2023, the minimum levels accepted by CCHI are Advanced-Mid on the ACTFL scale and 2+ on the ILR scale (or an equivalent to these levels established for other tests).

How can I change or add an email or phone number to my CCHI profile?

Please review the screenshots of the CCHI online application system at Your Profile.

If I’ve developed or taught healthcare interpreter training programs, will this satisfy the 40-hour healthcare interpreter training requirement?

Yes, as long as you have taught 40 hours of courses related to healthcare interpreter training and can document this. If you have developed a healthcare interpreter training program that has been administered, you may also count the number of hours the course runs (you may not count the number of hours you spent developing the course). The application requires you to upload the necessary documentation (one PDF file for each course):

1. Proof of training delivery – any publicity material (flyer, ad, brochure, conference schedule, etc.) about their training which lists the following information:

  • Credential holder’s name and designation as instructor/presenter/trainer.
  • The title (topic) or name of the educational event.
  • The name of the training entity (organization or individual) delivering the course,
  • The date(s) of the event.
  • The number of actual contact hours of the event.

2. Proof of training experience (e.g., Curriculum Vitae, personal or advisor’s attestation) specifying delivery of any combination of academic and non-academic (conferences, workshops, in-service).

  • 40 hours of training interpreters (any setting, including basic/beginner level training)
  • 40 hours of other training (e.g., language instructor at school or college, cultural competence trainer, instructor of nursing).

If the number of hours of the curriculum is less than 40, only the amount that has been taught will be applied toward the 40-hour requirement.  Likewise, if the applicant created a healthcare interpreter training program of less than 40 hours, they will only be awarded the exact amount of hours in the training program.

What ADA accommodations does CCHI provide for its exams?

Whenever possible, CCHI is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in its examination processes to individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Appropriate accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent that such accommodation does not fundamentally alter the examination, or cause an undue burden to CCHI or the agency administering the examination.

It is the responsibility of individuals with disabilities to notify CCHI in writing of the applicant’s need for an accommodation and submit the pertinent supporting documentation in electronic format at the time of submitting a request for scheduling an exam via our online application system no later than 45 days before the examination date.

There are two ways to notify CCHI of the ADA accommodation request:

  • If a special need or disability is present at the time of submitting the application or paying for a CCHI examination and before receiving a Notice to Schedule, the applicant should choose the “Request ADA Accommodation” option before they select the orange “Pay fees” button in the online application system. At this time the applicant will be directed to explain the nature of their request and to upload necessary documentation in an electronic format.
  • If a special need or disability occurs after the applicant has already received their Notice to Schedule, they must complete and submit via email to apply@cchicertification.org the CCHI’s ADA Accommodation Request Form (click here to download this form or see it in Appendix C of the Candidate’s Examination Handbook), along with the supporting documentation.

Regardless of how the ADA accommodation request is submitted – via the online application system or via email – an applicant/candidate must state the type of accommodation(s) needed, in addition to providing current and appropriate documentation of the disability. The applicant’s/candidate’s request will not be considered complete and reviewed without the CCHI’s ADA Accommodation Request Form.

The documentation provided in CCHI’s ADA Accommodation Request Form must not be more than three years old from the date of the application. It should include an official statement from a healthcare provider who has first-hand knowledge of the disability, describing the nature of the disability and specific recommendations regarding the type of accommodation required to address the disability. The letter should be on the letterhead stationery of the healthcare provider in question, and include his or her title, address, phone number, and original signature.

The applicant/candidate grants CCHI permission to contact the professionals who submitted documentation in support of a request for accommodation in order to obtain further clarification concerning a request.

Examples of requests for special testing accommodations that may be granted include: modification of seating or other physical arrangements in the examination facility; providing for the examination to be taken in an accessible location; providing a human reader for individuals who are blind or with low vision (available only for test-center delivery); allowing medicine of food; or providing for a reasonable extension of testing time.

Examples of requests for special testing accommodations that may be denied include: modification of the content of an objective multiple-choice examination; providing for unlimited testing time; allowing the candidate to leave the examination room for a break; permitting a reader to paraphrase test material or translate the material into another language.

The following testing accommodations, if granted by CCHI, are available only at test centers (i.e., they are not available for online-proctored delivery of the CoreCHI™ exam): human reader, notetaker, actuator, bathroom break.

All accommodation determinations will be made by CCHI at its discretion. Failure to notify CCHI of needed accommodation(s) in one’s application and/or no later than 45 days before scheduling an exam may result in the accommodations not being available at the time of the examination.

Applicants/candidates shall not hold CCHI accountable for any lack of appropriate accommodation deriving from the applicant’s/candidate’s own failure to notify CCHI of their needs on a timely basis. Once special accommodations have been granted, they may not be altered during the examination.

For more information visit our Policies page and click on the blue bar “ADA Accommodation Procedures.”

My account is locked. What do I need to do? Why is my account locked?

There are several reasons depending on your specific situation:

  • Your eligibility to take an exam may have expired before you paid for the exam. You must take the CoreCHI exam within 6 months of the application approval. And, if you are a Spanish, Arabic, or Mandarin interpreter, you must take the CHI exam within 12 months.
  • Your certification may have expired because you didn’t submit your two renewal applications. You must submit both applications to renew your certification – for Years 1&2 and Years 3&4.
  • Your certification may have expired because you submitted the renewal applications less than 30 days before the certification expiration date. It takes us about 4 weeks to review the renewal application, as soon it is reviewed and accepted, your account will become active. No action is needed on your part in this case.

This what you need to do:

  • Login to your CCHI Profile account and check our emails under the “Communications” tab. See what notifications you received from us.
  • Contact us at apply@cchicertification.org and ask to unlock the account.

How can I receive an extension for my application?

CCHI may grant extensions in case of applicants experiencing severe hardships. Please describe the hardship that prevents you from completing the process on time and email it to us at apply@cchicertification.org. Upon review, our staff will inform you if the extension is granted or not, and for how long.

Does my working experience qualify as healthcare interpreter training?

No, interpreting itself (“work experience”) does not meet our eligibility requirements. We require a minimum of 40 hours of training as a medical interpreter, not work experience. The info about the accepted training is available on pp. 20-23 of the CCHI Candidate’s Examination Handbook.

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