Delivery mode
Online
Test fee
$440
Prerequisites
Yes
Languages
27
Overview
The Certified Interpreter test is a higher level generalist interpreting test. Certified Interpreters can work with complex but non-specialised content in most situations.
The tasks that will be assessed by NAATI include sight translation of documents from one language (written) to another (verbal), and interpreting monologues (consecutive and simultaneous interpreting).
See also: Certified Interpreter (Auslan).
Read more about this under the ‘Prerequisites & pathways‘ tab below.
This test is currently available in the following languages:
- Arabic
- Auslan
- Bangla
- Cantonese
- Croatian
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Macedonian
- Mandarin
- Nepali
- Persian
- Portuguese
- Punjabi
- Russian
- Serbian
- Sinhalese
- Spanish
- Tamil
- Thai
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
Information for applicants
Before sitting the Certified Interpreter test with NAATI, you need to meet certain prerequisites and equipment & system requirements.
All Certified Interpreters need to demonstrate competency in the following tasks:
- Consecutive dialogue interpreting
- Sight translation
- Consecutive monologue interpreting
- Simultaneous monologue interpreting.
To demonstrate these skills and become a Certified Interpreter, candidates must pass the following two tests with NAATI:
- Certified Provisional Interpreter test
- Certified Interpreter test.
Prerequisite pathway options
There are four prerequisite pathways outlined below which explain your options.
The pathway you choose will determine what documents or evidence you need to supply with your application to NAATI, and whether you need to sit any screening tests.
When you are ready to apply, go to the ‘Apply, reschedule or cancel‘ tab for important information.
1 – Completing a qualification endorsed by NAATI
Requirements
- Completed (graduated or eligible to graduate) a NAATI endorsed interpreting qualification no more than three years before applying – Advanced Diploma or higher (AQF [Australian Qualifications Framework] level 6 or comparable).
What do you need to do next?
If you meet all the requirements for this pathway, you can apply to NAATI to sit the Certified Interpreter test. If your application is complete, you will be made eligible to select a date for both the Certified Provisional Interpreter and Certified Interpreter tests.
Finding an Endorsed Qualification to complete
You can find the full list of NAATI Endorsed Qualifications here. If you want to complete one but haven’t yet, you can apply directly to your institution of choice. Once you have completed it, come back to apply to NAATI to sit the test.
2 – Completing a non-NAATI endorsed qualification (including overseas)
Requirements
- Completed (graduated or eligible to graduate) a non-NAATI endorsed interpreting qualification – Advanced Diploma or higher (AQF level 6 or comparable), or an Endorsed Qualification more than three years before applying.
- Met NAATI’s standard for language competency, ethical competency and intercultural competency. This may include sitting a test with NAATI.
What do you need to do next?
If you meet all the requirements for this pathway, you can apply to NAATI to sit the test.
As your qualification was not endorsed by NAATI, you will need to submit evidence of your English proficiency with your application. Read the requirements here.
Meeting the ethical and intercultural competency prerequisites
We will assess your application (including the subjects that you studied) to determine whether you have met the ethical and intercultural competency prerequisite requirements. If not, we will let you know and will invite you to sit the Ethical Competency and/or Intercultural Competency test/s in addition to the Certified Provisional Interpreter and Certified Interpreter tests.
3 – Existing NAATI credential in another language
Requirements
- Holds a Certified Interpreter, Certified Specialist Interpreter or Certified Conference Interpreter credential in another language combination.
What do you need to do next?
If you meet all the requirements for this pathway, you can apply to NAATI to sit the Certified Interpreter test. In your myNAATI account, you will select the ‘Additional certifications’ application form.
If your application is complete, you will be made eligible to select a test date for the Certified Interpreter test.
4 – Existing CPI credential + work practice + professional development
Requirements
- Holds Certified Provisional Interpreter credential in the same language combination.
- Evidence of at least two years’ interpreting work experience in the language combination.
- Completed professional development activities to support advanced practice.
What do you need to do next?
If you meet all the requirements for this pathway, you can apply to NAATI to sit the Certified Interpreter test.
In your myNAATI account, you will select the ‘Additional certifications’ application form. You will need to provide evidence of recent interpreting work and professional development with your application.
If your application is complete, you will be made eligible to select a test date.
Professional development
NAATI will mainly be looking for evidence of professional development related to simultaneous and monologue interpreting. If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, please email info@naati.com.au.
Equipment & system requirements
Please read the specifications carefully below.
If you have booked your test and are concerned about your computer equipment or internet access, please email us at info@naati.com.au as soon as possible.
Equipment & system requirements
You will need the following to sit this test:
| Laptop or computer with the following: |
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| Internet connection: |
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| Other items: |
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About the test
The Certified Interpreter test is delivered online only and involves six tasks. The tasks will involve different situations from different domains, including at least one from the health domain and one from the legal domain.
Two sight translations
- One sight translation into English (about 200 words)
- One sight translation into the language other than English (LOTE) (about 200 words)
Two consecutive monologue tasks
- One consecutive monologue into English (about 300 words)
- One consecutive monologue into LOTE (about 300 words)
Two simultaneous monologue tasks
- One simultaneous monologue into English (about 300 words)
- One simultaneous monologue into LOTE (about 300 words)
Tests in each language are run every 6 months. You can search for upcoming test dates here.
Read the detailed candidate instructions under the ‘Prepare for your test‘ tab. You can refer to our glossary of certification terms for any terms you don’t understand.
Test assessment & results
Assessment
At least 2 NAATI examiners will independently assess your performance in the test. They will assess each task separately, using assessment rubrics with 5 bands (with Band 1 representing the highest level of performance and Band 5 the lowest). Your task performance will be marked against each criterion, which are the same for all task types, as outlined below.
For each task, NAATI examiners will assess your:
- Transfer competency: Meaning transfer skill, Application of interpreting mode, and Rhetorical skill.
- Language competency: Language proficiency enabling meaning transfer into the target language.
Refer to our language policy to understand how the examiners will assess your use of language in your test.
You need to achieve at least Band 2 for each criterion, and you must pass all six tasks to pass the test. To be awarded the Certified Interpreter credential, you must pass both the Certified Provisional Interpreter test and Certified Interpreter test.
Results & receiving your credential
NAATI aims to issue results within 8-10 weeks of the test date. We will issue results as they are finalised, so some candidates will receive their results earlier than others even if they sit the test on the same day.
To be awarded the Certified Interpreter credential, you must pass both the Certified Provisional Interpreter (CPI) test and Certified Interpreter test.
- If you already hold a CPI credential, you will be awarded a Certified Interpreter credential if you pass the Certified Interpreter test.
- If you pass the Certified Interpreter test, but haven’t yet passed the CPI test, you will not receive the Certified Interpreter credential until you have also passed the CPI test.
You must also pass any prerequisite screening tests (Ethical Competency and/or Intercultural Competency).
Supplementary testing
If you attempt all tasks and pass at least four of the six tasks but fail this test overall, you are eligible to apply for a supplementary test.
You must apply for the supplementary test from your myNAATI account within 30 days of receiving your test results. The supplementary test will involve re-sitting only the task type(s) that have been failed, but on a different topic.
If you pass this supplementary test, and you already hold a Certified Provisional Interpreter credential, NAATI will award you the Certified Interpreter credential. If you fail the supplementary test, this means you have failed the Certified Interpreter test. You can apply for another Certified Interpreter test with NAATI if you want to sit the test again.
How to apply
To apply for the CI test, you will need to create an account in our customer portal, myNAATI, and submit your application from there.
Please make sure you have read and understood the Terms and Conditions before applying for this test.
Step one: Create a myNAATI account and submit an application.
Step two: You will receive an email once your application is processed by NAATI (generally within a week).
Step three: Select a test date and pay the test fee.
Step one: Create a myNAATI account and submit an application
Applications for certification have to be submitted via our customer portal, myNAATI. If you have not yet created an account, please view our ‘How to register a myNAATI account’ guide.
Once logged in to myNAATI navigate to the ‘Submit an application’ icon on the homepage, then to your chosen credential. If you already hold a NAATI credential, you will select the ‘Additional certifications‘ icon instead.
Follow the prompts to complete your application, and then submit your application. If you have submitted successfully, you will receive a confirmation email. Add info@naati.com.au to your safe senders list to make sure you receive updates about your application.
Step two: NAATI will process your application
Once NAATI has assessed your application, you will be contacted to let you know what will happen next. This will usually happen within a week of applying.
The team at NAATI will let you know if you need to submit more information, such as evidence of English Proficiency, or if you need to sit an Ethical Competency or Intercultural Competency test with NAATI (for an additional fee).
If your application is complete and you have met all of the prerequisite requirements, you will be made eligible to select a test date.
Step three: Select a test date and pay the test fee.
Once you have been made eligible to select a test date, log into your myNAATI account again to select a test date. myNAATI will display the available test dates. If none are available, email us at info@naati.com.au.
When you select a test date, you will be required to pay the test fee.
Test fee summary
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Test fee $440 AUD
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Cancellation See below
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Supplementary test $220 AUD
Conditions apply: See Test details & assessment tab
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Review of test results $275 AUD
Rescheduling or cancelling your test
Rescheduling your test date
Tests can be rescheduled up to (and including) 3 days prior to the test date.
- There is no cost to reschedule.
- Candidates are responsible for rescheduling their own test via their myNAATI account. You will need to reject your test session in myNAATI and then select another test date.
Please note: Rejecting a test session means that you will lose your place in that test session, and it may be quickly booked by another candidate. There is no guarantee you will be able to select the same test date again once you have rejected it.
It is not possible to reschedule a test within 2 days of the test session unless the candidate provides evidence of hospital admission, serious injury or an accident. This is because we “lock in” the test sessions to enable planning and preparation.
If you have been admitted to hospital, or suffered a serious injury or accident, you must provide evidence to info@naati.com.au by 8am (AET) on the test day at the very latest. This must meet the terms of the exceptional circumstances policy as detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
If your test is within the next 2 days and you can no longer attend for another reason, you will need to cancel your application (see below) and apply again.
Cancelling your test
Please follow the instructions below if you want to cancel your test.
If you decide to sit the test at a later date after cancelling your initial application, you will need to submit a new application. This will include selecting a new test session and paying the full test fee.
If your test is more than 2 days away
- You will be eligible for a refund of 75% of your test fee if you cancel a test more than 2 days before the test date.
- Follow the instructions on applying for a refund through your myNAATI account.
If your test is within the next 2 days
- To cancel a test scheduled within the next 2 days, you must email us at info@naati.com.au with your customer number so that we can cancel your test for you. You cannot reject your own test session in myNAATI if your test is scheduled within the next 2 days.
- You will not receive a refund if you cancel a test within 2 days.
If you do not attend your test on your scheduled test date, this is considered a cancellation and no fees will be refunded.
Candidate instructions
All applicants are required to read the candidate instructions in full before the test. They detail the steps you need to take before your test day, what happens on test day, and how to get support.
Note that you will need to make sure your equipment and systems are suitable for the test (found under the ‘Prerequisites & pathways‘ tab).
Practice test
NAATI has developed test preparation modules to help you get ready for your test. These modules are available through NAATI Learn, and anyone can access them for free.
They provide you with:
- Access to the NAATI testing platform
- Practice materials in a range of languages other than English
- Practice materials in English
- Self-assessment tools
To access the preparation module, click here. You don’t need to create an account. Just select the CI Preparation Module from the dashboard.
These materials are ©National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (2023) and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of NAATI.
Whitelist of resources
As part of preparing yourself for your test, you should familiarise yourself with the whitelist of resources that NAATI will allow you to access during your test.
A copy of the relevant list will be supplied as part of the test material.
Click below to view.
Support
If you need help before you have booked into a test, email us at any time at info@naati.com.au.
On your test day, NAATI’s Digital Testing team will be available via live chat during your test to assist with any technical issues or you can get help by emailing onlinetesting@naati.com.au.
Useful resources
Frequent questions
Download the handy CI test factsheet as a PDF or view the answers to some of our frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Next steps
Learn more about the importance of recertification for all NAATI certified practitioners, and the job and professional development opportunities available to you.
Guides
Need help with your application? View our handy guides below to help navigate the application process.
