Students interested in becoming certified medical interpreters in the United States typically pursue one of two national certifications. This guide explains both pathways, what they require, and how to get started.

1. Main Certification Options

Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)

CCHI offers three credential tiers, all open to interpreters of any language:

  • CoreCHI - Written (knowledge-based) exam only. Note: This credential began sunsetting on January 1, 2025, and will be fully retired in 2027. New candidates are encouraged to pursue the CoreCHI-P or CHI instead.
  • CoreCHI-P - Written exam plus a monolingual (English-to-English) oral performance exam. Available to interpreters of all languages.
  • CHI - Written exam plus a bilingual oral performance exam. Currently available in Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin only. The oral exam covers consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, and sight translation.

CCHI is the only organization offering accredited interpreter certifications in the United States.

National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)

NBCMI offers two credential options:

  • Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) - Requires both a written and an oral exam. Available in Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and Mandarin. The credential is language-specific (e.g., CMI-Spanish, CMI-Korean). Renewal is required every five years.
  • Hub-CMI - Written exam only, for interpreters whose language does not have a bilingual oral exam available through NBCMI. Renewal is required every four years.

Both credentials are widely recognized in healthcare settings.

 

2. What Both Certifications Require

Regardless of which pathway you choose, both CCHI and NBCMI share the following prerequisites:

  • Proof of language proficiency - Many candidates use the ACTFL OPI or OPIc. Each certifying body publishes its own list of accepted documentation.

ACTFL Assessments: https://www.actfl.org/assessments

  • At least 40 hours of medical interpreter training - Many programs are available online and can be completed flexibly.

Training program directory (IMIA): https://www.imiaweb.org/education/trainingnotices.asp

  • A written exam covering ethics, standards of practice, and medical terminology
  • An oral performance exam covering interpreting skills (required for CHI and CMI; not required for CoreCHI-P or Hub-CMI in the same bilingual format)
  • Continuing education for renewal - every four or five years, depending on the credential

 

3. Cost Overview

The full certification pathway typically costs between $300 and $600, depending on the exams taken, training program fees, and any prerequisites such as language proficiency testing.

 

4. Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your language, timeline, and career goals.

  • If your language is Spanish, Arabic, or Mandarin, you have access to bilingual oral exams through CCHI (CHI) and, for Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, Cantonese, or Mandarin, through NBCMI (CMI). Both pathways lead to nationally recognized credentials. CMI is often cited as particularly well-recognized in hospital systems, while CCHI’s accreditation is the only one of its kind in the interpreting industry.
  • If your language is not listed above, CCHI’s CoreCHI-P and NBCMI’s Hub-CMI both provide viable pathways using written and monolingual performance exams.

 

5. Recommended Starting Steps

If you are early in your training, focus on these steps in order:

  1. Complete a 40-hour medical interpreter training program - many are online and self-paced.
  2. Obtain documentation of language proficiency, if you do not already have it.
  3. Gain practical experience through volunteer or community opportunities.

Example organization: https://www.escuchamivoz.org

 

6. How to Prepare Independently

While completing your training, you can begin building the skills you will need for the exams:

  • Build medical vocabulary in both of your working languages.
  • Study professional ethics and standards using the NCIHC National Standards of Practice.
  • Practice consecutive interpreting using recordings, clinical videos, or real-life community interactions.

 

7. Optional Academic Preparation

Courses in medical Spanish or healthcare interpretation can provide structured practice and instructor feedback, but they are not required to begin the certification pathway. Many students successfully start with a 40-hour training program and self-directed practice.

For students at the University of Iowa, SPAN 3903: Introduction to Medical Spanish-English Interpretation offers a strong academic foundation for this career path. The course is designed for students with advanced or heritage Spanish proficiency who are interested in healthcare or language services, and develops core interpreting skills including accurate meaning transfer, active listening, memory, and real-time communication management. Students work through simulated clinical encounters, virtual reality scenarios, and live role-play with guest participants - experiences that mirror the demands of real medical settings and build both linguistic precision and professional awareness.

The course also covers national standards of practice and ethical guidelines, giving students early exposure to the professional framework that both CCHI and NBCMI exams test directly. While SPAN 3903 is not itself a certification course, it is an excellent starting point for students who plan to pursue the CHI, CMI, CoreCHI-P, or Hub-CMI credential.

This pathway is achievable with consistent preparation, even while balancing other commitments. The key is to start with an approved training program, choose the credential that fits your language and goals, and build experience step by step.