The Nevada Supreme Court is encouraging bilingual residents to help bridge the language gap in courtrooms by becoming certified interpreters.
More than 3,100 court cases in Nevada required interpreters in 2024, and the need is expected to grow as the state’s population increases.
To address the shortage, the Supreme Court of Nevada is inviting bilingual individuals to register for the Fall 2025 Certified Court Interpreter Exam.
Court interpreters play a critical role in making court proceedings accessible to Limited English Proficient individuals.
According to the Supreme Court of Nevada, Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Vietnamese were the most requested languages last year, yet only 79 certified Spanish interpreters were available statewide.
The registration deadline for the oral exam is September 22, and the written exam deadline is October 20.
Oral exams will be held in Las Vegas from November 3 to 7, and in Carson City on November 10 and 12.
Written exams are scheduled for November 7 in Las Vegas and November 10 in Carson City.
Before registering, candidates can use an online self-assessment tool to evaluate their readiness.
To begin the certification process, applicants must complete an online Written Orientation Workshop, available in mid-July. This workshop covers Nevada’s court system, interpreting standards, and ethics.
Applicants must score at least 80 percent on the written exam, which includes 135 multiple-choice questions over a two-hour and 15-minute period.
Those applicants who pass proceed to the Oral Orientation Workshop, which introduces interpreting techniques used in court.
The oral exam requires a minimum score of 70 percent and includes sight translation, consecutive interpretation, and simultaneous interpretation.
For languages without a National Center for State Courts oral exam, applicants may take an Oral Proficiency Interview. A score of “Advanced Mid” is required.
Candidates must also provide proof of 40 hours of courtroom observation or interpreting experience in Nevada, submit a fingerprint card, pay a $50 administrative fee, and supply a passport-size photo.
Alternative certification options are available. Interpreters certified in other states or at the federal level may apply through reciprocity, which requires documentation of certification, past exam scores, and standard Nevada forms.
Conditionally Approved Status is also available for proceedings where no certified interpreter is present. These candidates must complete both orientation workshops, score at least 80 percent on the written exam, and meet a lower oral exam threshold of either 60 percent or “Advanced Low” on the Oral Proficiency Interview.
Those interested in learning more or registering for the program can visit the Nevada court interpreter website at www.nvcourts.gov.
Informational videos are also available on YouTube:
