We are delighted you are interested in becoming a Certified Translator or Interpreter. This section provides information about the exam, the fees and title protection.
STIBC partners with CTTIC (The Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council) to offer a process for certification. Candidates in translation select an exam in their language combination in which they are the most proficient (for example French to English). Court Interpreters, Medical Interpreters and Community Interpreters become certified on the basis of examinations containing written and oral elements.
Should no written examination be available for your language combination in interpretation, you may apply for certification “on dossier”. This is a limited process and not a replacement for the exam provided by CTTIC.
Languages available for certification:
First, you have to join STIBC as an Associate Member (if that is not already the case). Kindly fill an application form and pay the application fee online or by cheque. Please read through the Admission Policy before submitting your application.
Once all fees are paid and exams taken, candidates are admitted to the Society as Associate Members and must pay the full annual membership fee.
Members may then sit the certification exam provided by CTTIC (The Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council). This is a national exam and recognized by all provincial translation societies and associations in Canada. Check out section INTRO for languages offered for certification.
Certification is recommended for interpreters and translators who have an extensive knowledge of translating and interpreting. If you are a novice in the field, please seek out education and gather experience first before you apply to become a member of STIBC.
This process is limited to specific cases:
- If no CTTIC examination is available for the language combination in which you wish to prove your proficiency in INTERPRETATION, you may apply to become certified “on dossier”. If no CTTIC examination is available for your language combination in translation, we do NOT offer a certification on dossier.
- Members with medical conditions that do not allow them to sit a translation or interpretation written exam can also apply “on dossier”.
The On-Dossier Certification assessment seeks to recognize aptitude and competence, not potential. A candidate is judged competent if the translation provided is faithful, idiomatic and requires no revision, or the interpretation proof points are impeccable. The same marking criteria apply as going through the CTTIC exam.
The process is administered by STIBC. STIBC members can find the files on the “For Members Eyes only” page (login required).
Further to a February 15th, 2022 decision of the STIBC Board, on-dossier interpretation applications for which there are insufficient sponsors are hereby suspended. Please check the application package in the Members Eyes Only section to find out about who qualifies as sponsor.
CERTIFICATION
- The Fees for Certification Exams and On-Dossier Certifications are available on this page: link
Continuing Education (CE) is meant to keep professional translators and interpreters up-to-date on the latest techniques and trends.
It provides opportunities to explore other areas of proficiency, keep learning, volunteer our linguistic skills to help others, and seek new challenges.
STIBC offers many workshops and webinars of its own throughout the year, and advertises a variety of offerings by other organizations.
Check our Events Calendar or our posts on Facebook!
Continuing Education is moreover vital for all STIBC’s Certified Members — to maintain their status as members in good standing, they must undertake professional development activities that generate a minimum of 8 CE credits each year.
For certification exams, email our CTTIC exam coordinator.
Some dates for upcoming exams are also posted in the News & Events section as well as the calendar.
NOTE: You have to be a Member (Associate or Certified) of STIBC to be eligible to register for a certification exam!
Next online translation exams in 2023:
- Translation from English or French to another language: April 19, July 22, October 25
- Translation from another language to English or French: April 22, July 19, October 28
- Court Interpretation: TBD
- Medical Interpretation: TBD
- Community Interpretation: TBD
What can I use during the exam?
You can use books and dictionaries only. No online tools, no Google search, no smartphone, no camera.
When do we get exam results?
Candidates will be notified of their results by email, and a mark will be indicated in the event of failure. Examination papers will not be returned to candidates. Please note that the minimum time for marking exams is usually two months.
How can I appeal my mark?
In accordance with the Examination Board’s regulations, any candidate who fails the examination may appeal the result within one month of receiving notification of the results. A $250 fee is payable for such an appeal and $150 will be refunded if the appeal is successful. The appeal decision is final.
How are the exams marked?
Every paper is carefully read and evaluated by two markers, who must agree on the final mark. If they do not agree, the paper is referred to a third marker, whose decision is final. The passing score is 70%. Any examination paper with a mark that falls between 65% and 70% is reviewed very carefully to ensure that the pass or failure is clearly justified.
Why is a fee charged for appeals?
A marker is paid for reviewing the appeal. CTTIC, STIBC, nor the other provincial associations can provide this certification service without a reasonable means to recover their costs.
Is the on dossier certification process a replacement for the CTTIC exam?
No, the on dossier certification process is approved for members who can not sit the exam due to medical reasons and for language combinations for which CTTIC does not offer an exam (only for interpretation).
Is the on dossier certification process easier than the CTTIC exam?
No, the process is lengthier and the criteria for marking the text samples (translation application) is exactly the same as for the CTTIC exams. Since translators don’t translate with an exam in mind, submitted texts often do not meet the criteria for certification. The texts may be suitable for the market but may not meet testing criteria.