Professional Training

Assessment, Training and Certification

OCI assessment, training and certification of our interpreters follow the nations leading language and interpretation and translation programs.

OCI Certification
Our certification process is simple. The Certified OCI interpreter must:

  • Complete and pass applicable language assessments tests
  • Complete and pass all mandatory training programs and tests.
  • Complete and pass all required workshops and tests.
  • Pass a final test covering:
    • Interpreter skills and competency
    • terminology in the healthcare, judicial, social services, emergency management, mental health and AID/HIV

Although we recognize that only the process is simple, our desire to create a certification process focuses on interpreter competency, terms and practices in all the related fields provided by the nation’s leading interpreter training programs. Because of this, the OCI Certified Interpreter is subject for example, to m any hours in the Bridging the Gap Medical Interpreter Training program (40 hours) and the 911 Critical Incident Stress (18 hours).

Language and Interpreter Skills Assessments

We can help you assess interpreting and language skills through our assessment programs. This is an invaluable tool to screen in-house interpreters as well as assist in the recruitment of potential candidates.

The Language Assessment Test and the Interpreter Assessment Test evaluates the candidate's proficiency in the English and target language(s) as well as evaluate the candidate's understanding of the role of the interpreter.

OCI tests are not a "pass or fail" evaluation. Similar to many of the certified language assessments used in the U.S., our tests evaluate proficiency/knowledge and assigns competency levels to the result. Once the results of the tests are complete, we will forward the results with our recommendations.

  • Language Assessment Test
  • Easy and convenient
  • Testing in oral fluency, message construction, comprehension and response in English and target language(s)
  • How To Begin?
  • Contact us to apply and schedule for testing times
  • Testing times average 20 minutes to one hour
  • Oral Testing is conducted over-the-phone
  • Written tests are taken at our location
  • Results will be sent with assessment evaluations that score;
    • 0 – No presence of practical proficiency
    • 1 – "House" or Survival proficiency
    • 2 – Limited proficiency
    • 3 – Working proficiency
    • 4 – "Studied" or Professional proficiency
    • 5 – "Native" or Superior Bilingual proficiency
  • Interpreter Assessment Tests
  • Easy and convenient
  • Testing in knowledge of Interpreting Standards, Codes of Ethics, interpreting skills and interpreter training terminology
  • Testing in various industry terms (healthcare, social services, emergency services)
  • Testing in various industry practices (healthcare, social services, emergency services)
  • Testing in interpreting skills (memory retention, intervention, message response and flow, etc.) and interpreting modes (consecutive, simultaneous, sight translation)
  • How To Begin?
  • Contact us to apply and schedule for testing times
  • Testing times average 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
  • Testing is in both theory and clinical
  • Tests are to be administered at our location
  • Results will be sent with assessment evaluations that score;
    • 0 – No presence of interpreting competency
    • 1 – Limited competency, no past training
    • 2 – Working competencies, limited understanding
    • 3 – Professional competencies, full understanding of interpreting skills and practices

OCI testing batteries follow the standards set forth by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and recommendations of the National Council on Interpretation in Health Care (NCIHC).

OCI is affiliated with several nationally recognized interpreting organizations such as the Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association (MMIA), Washington State's Cross Cultural Healthcare Program (CCHCP), the National Judicial Interpreters Association (NAJIT), the American Translators Association (ATA), and the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC).