Information for Interpreters

The Court Interpreter Orientation is scheduled for July 29 & 30, 2024, at a location TBD in Portland, ME. Please click the link to register: https://forms.gle/t4PyxTbXxhsu6W9W8.

Interpreters Needed

The Office of Court Services is currently recruiting interpreters to serve in the Maine courts and ensure access to justice for limited English proficient individuals. As of July 1, 2024, Tier 1 starts at $50/hr. with the opportunity to advance tiers with additional education, training, and experience. For more information, please contact the Communication Access Specialist at [email protected].

Becoming a Rostered Court Interpreter 

This section has information for individuals interested in becoming qualified to serve as an interpreter in Maine state court proceedings.

Interpreters are highly skilled professionals who fulfill an essential role in the administration of justice. Interpreters help ensure that individuals restricted in their ability to participate in court proceedings due to being limited English proficient (LEP), having a speech impairment, hearing loss, and/or deafness are afforded equal access to justice.

Spoken Language Interpreter Requirements

Demonstrated Proficiency in English and the Target Language

Court interpreters must demonstrate the ability to:

  • Quickly, accurately, and completely interpret spoken words from one language to another.
  • Quickly, accurately, and completely sight translate written documents orally from one language to another.
  • Understand basic legal terminology.
  • Provide "meaning for meaning" interpretation—preserving the register of speech and all relevant characteristics; and 
  • Write comprehensively and spell correctly in both languages.

Minimum Age, Education, and Credentials

  • Twenty (20) years of age or older. 
  • High school diploma or equivalent.   
  • Authorized to work in the United States; and
  • Have prior legal interpreting experience (preferred).

Steps to Apply (New Applicants)

1. Submit an Application for Maine Court Interpreter Work with a copy of your resume to:

Maine Judicial Branch, Administrative Office of the Courts
Attention: Communication Access Specialist
P.O. Box 4820
Portland, ME 04112-4820

You may also email materials to [email protected].

2. Pass the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) written English examination

An overview of the test can be found at on the National Center for State Courts website at Court Interpreter Written Examination Overview. The passing score for Tier I rostering is 70%.

3. Pass the American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)

The OPI is a live telephone examination in the non-English language between a certified ACTFL tester and the candidate. The passing score is an "Advanced-Low" rating on ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview in the non-English language.

4. Pass a Background Check

Candidates who pass the written English exam and OPI must pass a background check before providing services in a state court. The Communication Access Specialist will provide eligible applicants with the background check form.

5. Complete the Maine Court Interpreter Orientation Program

The Maine Court Interpreter Orientation Program typically includes detailed information on the court interpreter's role, ethical requirements and standards of conduct, courtroom protocol and procedures, modes of interpreting (consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation), and information about the Maine Unified Court System. All interpreters must agree to abide by the Judicial Branch Standards of Conduct for Interpreters Providing Services in Judicial Proceedings.

For details about re-testing policies, contact the Communication Access Specialist at [email protected] or 207-822-0703.

Roster Tiers

Spoken language interpreters are categorized into three (3) "tiers" according to skill level, examination performance, training and education, and experience. Hourly compensation is based on the interpreter's tier, with Tier III being the highest.

Tier I: $50 per interpreting hour (see Steps to Apply)   

Tier II: $60 per interpreting hour 

  • Successful completion of Tier I requirements;
  • At least two (2) years of post-secondary education;
  • Score at least 80% on the National Center for State Courts Written Examination.
  • Must complete and provide documentation of 32 hours of pre-approved advanced legal interpreter training; and
  • Must provide documentation of at least 50 hours of actual legal interpreting experience.

Tier III:  $70 per interpreting hour 

Testing Information

National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Written Exam

The written exam is administered electronically at various testing centers. Candidates may take the exam up to three times to achieve a passing score. The Communication Access Specialist will assist candidates with registering for the exam. There is no fee for new applicants.

Non-English Language ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interviews (OPI)

The Oral Proficiency Interview is administered over the telephone and proctored by the Communication Access Specialist. Candidates that receive a passing score (70%) on the NCSC Written Exam will be contacted by the Communication Access Specialist to schedule a date and time for the interview. There is no fee for new applicants.

Languages Currently Being Accepted

The Judicial Branch is now accepting applications for Rostered Court Interpreters. There is an ongoing need for qualified interpreters in the following languages: Acholi, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Cebuano, Croatian, Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Georgian, Greek, German, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer (Cambodian), Kirundi, Korean, Laotian, Lingala, Maay Maay (Mai Mai), Mandarin, Nuer, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Swahili, Tagalog, Taiwanese, Thai, Tigrinya, Vietnamese, Wolof, and Zande.

Standards of Professional Conduct for Court Interpreters

Responsibilities of Spoken Language and ASL interpreters

The Standards of Professional Conduct for Interpreters apply to and are binding upon all persons, agencies, and organizations who provide court interpretation services.  

Reciprocity requests for Interpreters qualified in other states

Interpreters that are certified or otherwise qualified to interpret in other state courts may apply for reciprocity with the State of Maine Judicial Branch and be added to the court roster for remote assignments.

To apply for reciprocity please submit:

  • Application for Maine Court Interpreter Work.
  • Copy of a resume or CV.
  • National Center for State Court Written Examination scores.
  • Oral Proficiency Interview or other equivalent oral examination scores.
    • Other oral examinations similar oral examination scores may be substituted at the Communication Access Specialist’s discretion after review.
  • Letter of Good Standing from a state you currently provide interpreting services.
  • May submit any other test scores or certifications

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Requirements

Interpretation and/or translation services for LEP individuals whose primary language is American Sign Language are governed by 5 M.R.S.  § 48-A. In addition to the qualifications listed therein, Administrative Order JB-06-03 states court interpretation services may be provided by an American Sign Language interpreter who is:

  • Licensed in the State of Maine. Interpreters licensed in other states may interpret in Maine courts up to sixty (60) hours.
  • Holds national interpreter certification recognized by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and:
  • A. holds a bachelor’s degree in any field or an associate’s degree in interpreting and demonstrates at least 50 hours of legal interpreting or mentoring experience and 30 hours of formal legal training.
  • B. holds an associate’s degree in any field and demonstrates at least 75 hours of legal interpreting or mentoring experience and 50 hours of formal legal training; or
  • C. demonstrates at least 100 hours of legal interpreting or mentoring experience and 70 hours of legal training.

Candidates interested in becoming court qualified ASL interpreters must submit a completed portfolio to [email protected] with the following:

  • Application for Legal American Sign Language Interpreters.
  • A copy of bachelor’s or associate’s degree, or official transcript.
  • Documentation of the required formal legal training hours.
  • Documentation of the required legal interpreting or mentoring experience hours.

Related Resources for ASL Interpreters

Maine DOL, Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened
https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dod/index.shtml

Information on Legal Interpreting and Legal Interpreting Resources
https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dod/legal_interp_info.shtml