Delivery mode
Online / in person
Test fee
$660
Prerequisites
Yes
Languages
67
Overview
Certified Provisional Interpreters transfer non-complex, non-specialised messages from a source language into a target language that accurately reflects the meaning.
NAATI’s Certified Provisional Interpreter test is an objective assessment of the skills and competencies needed to practice as an interpreter in Australia. It is the entry level generalist interpreting test.
For certification in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages, please see more information about training, testing and support here.
See also: Auslan Certified Provisional Interpreter and Certified Provisional Deaf Interpreter.
For more information on becoming a Certified Interpreter and sitting the Certified Interpreter test, click here.
This test is currently available in the following languages:
- Alyawarr
- Amharic
- Anmatyerr
- Arabic
- Armenian
- Assyrian
- Auslan
- Bangla
- Burmese
- Cantonese
- Central-Eastern Arrernte
- Croatian
- Dari
- Deaf Interpreter
- Dhuwaya
- Dinka
- Djambarrpuyngu
- Filipino
- French
- German
- Greek
- Gujarati
- Gumatj
- Hazaragi
- Hindi
- Hungarian
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Kalaw Kawaw Ya
- Khmer
- Kimberley Kriol
- Korean
- Kriol (NT)
- Kurdish Kurmanji
- Lao
- Macedonian
- Malay
- Mandarin
- Nepali
- Pashto
- Persian
- Pintupi-Luritja
- Pitjantjatjara
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Punjabi
- Russian
- S’gaw Karen
- Samoan
- Serbian
- Sinhalese
- Somali
- Spanish
- Swahili
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Thai
- Tigrinya
- Tongan
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
- Vietnamese
- Warlpiri
- Western Arrernte
- Yumplatok
Information for applicants
Before sitting the Certified Provisional Interpreter test with NAATI, you need to meet certain prerequisites and equipment & system requirements (for online tests).
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 – Diploma or higher (AQF [Australian Qualifications Framework] level 5 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 CPI test. If your application is complete, you will be made eligible to select a date and pay for the test.
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 – Diploma or higher (AQF level 5 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 CPI test.
3 – Existing NAATI credential in another language
Requirements
- Holds Recognised Practising Interpreter, Certified Provisional Interpreter, Certified Interpreter, Certified Specialist Interpreter or Certified Conference Interpreter 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 CPI test. In your myNAATI account, you will select the ‘Additional certifications’ application form.
You have already met the training, English proficiency, ethical and intercultural competency requirements. If your application is complete, you will be made eligible to select a test date.
4 – Completing AQF units (e.g. Skill Set Course)
Requirements
- Completed AQF units in interpreting theory and/or alternate formal education assessed by NAATI as meeting prerequisite requirements, for example a 40-hour Skill Set Course. In situations where accredited training is not available, unaccredited interpreter training and education will be assessed by NAATI to determine its eligibility.
- 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 have completed training in interpreting that does not fall under pathway one or pathway two, you can still apply to NAATI to sit the CPI test and we will assess your eligibility. As your training 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 CPI test.
Finding a Skill Set Course to complete
One of the options under this pathway is to complete what is called a Skill Set Course. These are 40-hour courses that NAATI recognises as providing foundational training required to work as an interpreter, and that meet some or all of NAATI’s prerequisite requirements. You can find a list of institutions who offer this option here.
Equipment & system requirements (online tests only)
Please read the specifications below carefully.
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
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It is your responsibility to make sure your equipment is suitable and will function for the entire test. We recommend that your electronic devices be connected to a power source for the duration of your test. Note that small screens (such as laptop screens) may make it harder for you to see everything clearly.
About the test
The Certified Provisional Interpreter test is delivered online or in-person at a NAATI test venue and involves three tasks:
- Two consecutive interpreting face-to-face dialogue tasks
- One consecutive interpreting remote dialogue task
Each task will be set in a different domain. Each task will last 10-12 minutes and will be delivered as a live role-play. This means that two role-players (one speaking English and one speaking the language other than English) will act out a conversation, and the candidate will interpret between them.
Candidates will be required to interpret in consecutive mode for each of the role-players.
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 skill, Interactional management skill 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 three tasks to pass the 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.
If you have already passed any prerequisite screening tests (Ethical Competency and/or Intercultural Competency), we will issue your credential if you pass this test.
Supplementary testing
You must attempt all three tasks and pass two of them to be 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 failed task, but with a different situation.
If you pass the supplementary test, NAATI will award you the Certified Provisional Interpreter credential. If you fail the supplementary test, this means you have failed the test. You can apply for another Certified Provisional Interpreter test with NAATI if you want to sit the test again.
How to apply
To apply for the CPI 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 $660 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
- There is no cost to reschedule.
- Candidates are able to reschedule their own tests up to (and including) 15 days prior to test date via their myNAATI account. You will need to reject your test session in myNAATI and then select another test date.
- For rescheduling of tests between 8 and 14 days candidates are required to contact info@naati.com.au.
- Rescheduling is not possible within 7 days of the test and is considered a cancellation.
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 7 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. The medical certificate or hospital admission must state the nature of the illness.
If your test is within the next 7 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 14 days away
- You will be eligible for a refund of 75% of your test fee if you cancel a test more than 14 days before the test date.
- Follow the instructions on applying for a refund through your myNAATI account.
If your test is within the next 14 days
- To cancel a test scheduled within the next 14 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 14 days.
- You will not receive a refund if you cancel a test within 14 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:
- Practice dialogues available in 46+ languages, with more languages to be added
- A built-in audio recorder allows you to record and download your own performance
- Self-assessment tools, including a self-review sheet to allow you to critically assess your own performance.
To access the preparation module, click here. You don’t need to create an account. Just select the CPI Preparation Module from the dashboard.
These materials are © National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (2022) and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of NAATI.
Support
If you need help, email us at any time at info@naati.com.au.
Useful resources
Frequent questions
Download the handy CPI 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.
