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.

Do I need to reside in the United States / be a U.S. citizen to become certified?

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to be certified by CCHI or to become a medical interpreter in the U.S.  CCHI tests candidates regardless of their immigration status, but keep in mind that the CHI and EtoE performance exams can be taken only at Prometric testing centers in the United States and Canada.

If you plan to be physically present to work in the U.S., you will be required either to have a work visa or a work permit, which CCHI cannot facilitate for you.

I hold the CoreCHI-Performance™ credential and practice in more than one LOTE (Language Other Than English). How do I renew my credentials?

The following procedural rules apply to certificants who hold the CoreCHI-Performance™ credential and practice in more than one LOTE (Language Other Than English):

a)      The proof of language proficiency (LP) in the second (or third, etc.) LOTE can be submitted only after the candidate passes the ETOE exam. The fee for adding any additional LOTE language proficiency to the CoreCHI-P credential is $30 (non-refundable, specified for 2023, subject to change). IMPORTANT: This does not apply to languages for which a CHI credential exists. A CoreCHI-P credential in Arabic, Mandarin and Spanish may only be obtained after passing the corresponding bilingual CHI™ performance exam.

b)     Once the LP proof is accepted/verified by CCHI, CCHI issues a certificate with the second LOTE specified.

c)      To renew the CoreCHI-P credential, the certificant will need to submit only one renewal application. However, during the first renewal cycle, within the first 12 months after the CoreCHI-P credential award, the certificant will need to perform some LOTE-specific CE activity. If a certificant has 2 (or more) LOTEs accepted/verified by CCHI, they have to complete this CE activity for each of the LOTEs within the same 12-month period and upload proof of completion for all LOTEs in one renewal application.

d)     If requirement c) is not met for each LOTE, the renewal certificate is issued only in the LOTE for which the CE activity has been completed.

e)     The fee for the CoreCHI-P credential renewal is the same as for any other credential renewal (see Fees). To maintain any additional LOTE during the renewal cycle, the certificant will pay a $30 fee per LOTE (specified for 2023, subject to change). If starting with the second renewal cycle, the additional LOTE fee is not paid, the certificate is issued only for the primary/first LOTE.

See https://cchicertification.org/renewal-multiple-credentials/ for all multiple-credential renewal procedures.

I hold multiple CHI™ credentials in different LOTEs (Languages Other Than English). How do I renew my credentials?

The following procedural rules apply to certificants who hold multiple CHI™ credentials in different LOTEs (Languages Other Than English):

a)      The same 32 CE hours and 40 work experience hours can be submitted for maintaining both credentials.

b)     To align the expiration dates for both credentials and simplify the renewal process, the certificant will need to:

  • Submit the “first” (older) CHI renewal application first, with the full renewal application fee (see Fees).
  • Submit the second CHI renewal application within 30 days of submitting the first CHI renewal application. The second CHI renewal fee in this case is $30 (in 2023, subject to change as any fees).
  • For the second CHI renewal application, upload a statement that the first CHI credential renewal application has been submitted. See CCHI’s template “First Credential Renewal Attestation” available here as a PDF file OR here as an MS Word file.
  • Meeting the above requirements will reset the second CHI expiration date to the same expiration date as the first CHI credential, and the certificant will be on the same four-year renewal cycle for both.

c)     If the certificant does not renew the first CHI credential but wishes to keep the second credential, they would have to upload all CE documentation to and pay the full renewal fee (see Fees) in the second CHI renewal application, and follow that credential renewal cycle.

See https://cchicertification.org/renewal-multiple-credentials/ for all multiple-credential renewal procedures.

I hold both CHI™ and CoreCHI-Performance™ credentials with the same LOTE (Language Other Than English). How do I renew my credentials?

The following procedural rules apply to certificants who hold both CHI™ and CoreCHI-Performance™ credentials with the same LOTE (Language Other Than English):

a)      If a CHI certificant is awarded the CoreCHI-P credential, they can only have the CoreCHI-P credential active as long as their CHI certification is active. In other words, failure to renew the CHI certification will result in automatic termination of the CoreCHI-P credential.

b)     The same 32 CE hours and 40 work experience hours can be submitted for renewal of both credentials.

c)      To align the expiration dates for the two credentials and simplify the renewal process, the certificant will need to:

  • Submit the CHI renewal application first, with the full renewal application fee (see Fees).
  • Submit the CoreCHI-P renewal application within 30 days of submitting the CHI renewal application. The CoreCHI-P renewal fee in this case is $30 (in 2023, subject to change).
  • For the CoreCHI-P renewal application, upload a statement that the CHI credential renewal application has been submitted. See CCHI’s template “First Credential Renewal Attestation” available here as a PDF file OR here as an MS Word file.

Meeting the above requirements will reset the CoreCHI-P expiration date to the same expiration date as the CHI credential, and the certificant will be on the same four-year renewal cycle for both.

See https://cchicertification.org/renewal-multiple-credentials/ for all multiple-credential renewal procedures.

I hold both CHI™ and CoreCHI-Performance™ credentials with different Languages Other Than English (LOTEs). How do I renew my credentials?

The following procedural rules apply to certificants who hold both CHI™ and CoreCHI-Performance™ credentials with different Languages Other Than English (LOTEs):

a)      The same 32 CE hours and 40 work experience hours can be submitted for renewal of both credentials.

b)     To align the expiration dates for 2 credentials and simplify the renewal process, the certificant will need to:

  • Fulfill the LOTE-specific CE requirement within the first 12 months after the date of the CoreCHI-Performance credential award OR before the expiration of their CHI credential, whichever is sooner.  The certificate for completing this CE requirement (issued by CCHI) must be uploaded to the CoreCHI-P renewal application.
  • Submit the CHI renewal application (assuming it is an older one) first, with the full renewal application fee (see Fees).
  • Submit the CoreCHI-P renewal application within 30 days of submitting the CHI renewal application. The CoreCHI-P renewal fee in this case is $30 (in 2023, subject to change).
  • For the CoreCHI-P renewal application, upload a statement that the CHI credential renewal application has been submitted. See CCHI’s template “First Credential Renewal Attestation” available here as a PDF file OR here as an MS Word file.

Meeting the above requirements will reset the CoreCHI-P expiration date to the same expiration date as the CHI credential, and the certificant will be on the same four-year renewal cycle for both.

c)     If the certificant does not renew the CHI credential but wishes to keep the CoreCHI-P credential, they would have to upload all CE documentation and pay the full renewal fee in the CoreCHI-P renewal application, and follow the CoreCHI-P renewal cycle in the future.

See https://cchicertification.org/renewal-multiple-credentials/ for all multiple-credential renewal provedures.

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).

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.

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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