Taking the ATA Certification Exam

About the ATA certification program
The ATA has established a certification program to verify that individual translators meet the professional standards that the ATA has established. Written examinations lead to certification in a specific language pair and direction (i.e. from or into English). The CTA provides opportunity for certification by scheduling and arranging the ATA examinations in Colorado twice per year. For more information, please visit the ATA certification program.




Location and dates for certification exams
As an affiliate of ATA, CTA organizes certification examinations for translators who wish to take the exam in the Rocky Mountain area. Each year, the examinations are held once in Denver and once in Boulder. For exact exam dates, please contact ATA or look in our Events Calendar.




Benefits of certification
Certification offers objective evidence to both translator and client that the translator possesses professional competence in a specific language combination. ATA certification is the only widely recognized measure of competence in translation in the U.S.




ATA Exam eligibility
Individuals who have been ATA members for at least four weeks and meet eligibility requirements may take the ATA certification examination. This lead time is necessary to allow ATA proper processing of the membership application. While the CTA encourages translators to join the CTA and enjoy the benefits of CTA membership, CTA membership is not required to take the ATA certification test.




ATA certification renewal
Once awarded, ATA certification is valid and may be claimed only so long as the certified person remains a member of ATA in good standing. The certification is renewed on a regular basis if the translator fulfills the ATA criteria for certification renewal. The CTA supports translators who are certified and wish to remain so. Translators can earn certification points by contributing to organization like the CTA and by participating in certain educational events organized by these organizations. Contact the ATA directly to check if a specific CTA activity may earn you credit.




Language pairs available for ATA certification
ATA Certification is currently available in the following language pairs

• Into English from Arabic, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish
• From English into Chinese, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish

Certification of Court Interpreters

Spanish-speaking interpreters in Colorado can take The Spanish Court Interpreter Exam. Our sister organization, The Colorado Association of Professional Interpreters (CAPI) offers the most current information regarding the Certification Process for Spanish Language Interpreters serving Colorado's Courts at http://www.coloradointerpreters.org. CAPI is also a great resource for other interpreter related questions. The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators offers the National Judiciary Interpreter and Translator Certification (NJITC).

The American Translators Association Code
of Professional Conduct & Business Practices

I. As a TRANSLATOR, I stand between two languages and act as a bridge for the free passage of ideas from one side to the other. Because my knowledge, skill, and discretion are essential to intellectual commerce, I commit myself to the highest standards of performance, ethical behavior, and sound business practice.

I will endeavor to translate with utmost accuracy and fidelity, so that I convey to the readers of the translation the same meaning and spirit the original conveyed to me. I acknowledge that level of excellence requires:

     1. Mastery of the target language equivalent to that of an educated native speaker;
     2. Up-to-date knowledge of the source language and the subject area sufficient to understand the message;
     3. Continued efforts to improve my professional skills and to broaden and deepen my knowledge.

I will be truthful about my qualifications and business and will not accept any assignment for which I am not fully qualified, without the express consent of my client.

I will safeguard the interests of my clients as my own and divulge no confidential information.

I will derive no personal profit or financial gain from confidential information I receive in my professional capacity.

I will clarify all aspects of my contractual relationship with my client, preferably in writing, prior to performing any assignment and will strictly adhere to the agreed terms.

I will notify my clients of any unresolved difficulties I may encounter in the performance of the assignment.

I will use a client's name as a reference only if I am prepared to direct the prospective client to the individual who can attest to the quality of my work.

I will respect and refrain from interfering with the business relationship that exists between my client and my client's client.


II. As an EMPLOYER of translators or as one who contracts assignments to translators, I will uphold the above standards in conducting my business. I further commit myself to the following fair practices in dealing with translators.

I will clarify all aspects of my contractual relationship with the translator and state my expectations regarding the assignment from the outset, preferably in writing.

I will strictly adhere to the agreed terms of this relationship, including the payment deadline and will not capriciously change the job specifications after the translator's work has begun.

I will not require translators to do unpaid work against the prospect of a paid assignment; if we fail to resolve the problem, we will seek an arbitrator.

I will deal directly with the translator in the event of any dispute about an assignment; if we fail to resolve the problem, we will seek an arbitrator.

I will not use the translators' credentials in bidding for a job or promoting my business without the translators' consent or without the bona fide intention to use the translators' services.

In the case of translations intended for publication or performance, I will grant translators recognition of the kind traditionally granted authors, including mention of their names on the title page and jacket of the published translation or in the theater program and in the advertising of the work.

In the case of commercially published or produced works, I acknowledge the translators' rights to approve or reject any substantial changes in the translated text, or, alternatively, to have their names removed from the work without prejudice to the agreed payment.

The CTA Discussion e-mail List

CTA members are automatically subscribed to the CTA yahoo-group. Monthly reminders explain how the list works. Further information about how to subscribe/unsubscribe or change e-mail settings can be found in the FAQs. Our list moderator can also answer any questions you may have about the list.

As a subscriber, you will receive e-mails on a number of topics, such as:

• CTA meetings
• Seminars and workshops with a focus on events taking place in Colorado
• Job postings
• Membership renewal reminders

• Ask questions to CTA members
• Post a job lead or upcoming event
• Find a translator with the same interests as you
• Send messages to the CTA committees
• Discuss subjects of relevance for translators and interpreters