Language Testing and Certification Program

Latest News

Public testing not available in September and October 2023

Due to work arrangement of the LTC program, public testing including Social Service Interpreter tests and Document Translator tests will not be available in September and October 2023. Testing will resume in November, 2023, and registration for November testing will be open in mid October. Please check this site regularly for updates. 

 

CHANGES IN MEDICAL INTERPRETER TESTING: 

There are important changes to medical interpreter testing. To increase our certification capacity, DSHS LTC has expanded test options for medical interpreter candidates.  

Starting January 1, 2023, all medical interpreter candidates who wish to pursue a DSHS medical interpreter credential and medical interpreters with expired credentials need to test with one of the third-party testing entities. (Please visit the Test Information page for detailed information on third-party medical interpreter testing.)

There are no changes to the Social Service interpreter tests and Document Translator tests (open to all candidates).

 

LANGUAGE ACCESS WORK GROUP 

DSHS is preparing the Language Access Work Group mandated by Substitute Senate Bill 5304. If you have any questions or suggestions, or if you would like to get more information on the workgroup, please contact us by Email at: workgroupssb5304@dshs.wa.gov 

 

OTHER NOTICES:  

All test candidates must create a profile in the LTC Gateway tracking system before they schedule a test with LTC or apply for a DSHS credential with a third-party test score: 

* * * 

1) Olympia testing location (OB-2) - Starting April 3, 2023, public visitors will be able to enter the DSHS LTC Olympia testing site, OB-2 building, via the 1st floor north and south glass doors during business hours. For LTC test candidates, please refer to notices posted on the entrance glass doors for more information.

2) Starting 7/1/2022, Yakima testing has a new location. Please check the Test Locations page of this site for details.

 

* Social Service Interpreter tests and Document Translator tests are open to all candidates.

To register for a test, please click here to schedule your test on the LTC Test Registration portal, or copy the following URL to your web browser: https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/1kxdvhvq/

* All candidates can take one oral and one written test per month per person. 

 

* * * 

On MONDAY, JULY 17, LTC opened AUGUST 2023 test schedule (open only for Social Service Interpreter test and Document Translator test): 

  • Olympia (OB-2) - Written: 08/10 and 08/24; Oral: 08/09, 08/10, 08/23, 08/24, 08/30 and 08/31.
  • Sunnyside (Yakima County) - Written: 08/25; Oral: 08/23, 08/24 and 08/25.

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Public testing not available in September and October 2023

Public testing including Social Service Interpreter tests and Document Translator tests will not be available in September and October 2023. Testing will resume in November, 2023, and registration for November testing will be open in mid October. 

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All test candidates must create a profile in the LTC Gateway tracking system. 

Questions? Email dshsct@dshs.wa.gov.

What We Do

The Language Testing and Certification program (LTC) provides bilingual certification for DSHS employees and authorization and certification testing for persons interested in providing interpreter or translator services for DSHS clients with limited English proficiency.

The Language Testing and Certification program provides the following services:

  • Sets and maintains qualification standards for DSHS bilingual positions, and interpreters and translators serving DSHS clients.
  • Administers language proficiency testing to certify/authorize DSHS bilingual employees, applicants for bilingual positions, DSHS contracted interpreters, and DSHS contracted translators.
  • Manages the roster of interpreters and translators certified and authorized to work for DSHS.

DSHS employees please refer to the scheduling guidelines on the LTC SharePoint.  

 

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