IMIA Certification Pre-Requisites

Age

The minimum age required of an individual to apply for certification will be equivalent to the age of majority as defined by the federal government, which is 18 years of age.

General Education

Higher education degree (Bachelor, Masters, PhD) preferred. High School Degree minimum.
NOTE: The IMIA warns candidates who do not have higher education that they might find some difficulty interpreting at higher registers.

Interpreter Education

One of the following:

• Successful completion of an approved interpreter educational program of at least 40 hours duration.
• Active work experience in the field of medical interpreting for at least 5 years.
  NOTE: interpreters who have no record of a completion of a 40 hour program will have to complete an 8 hour preparatory training program to be offered by the IMIA.
  

Work experience as an interpreter

Minimum of 6 months when applying for certification. Practicums of a minimum of 100 hours are accepted. If your educational institution requires a minimum under 100 hours, request that the host organization allow you to stay until you complete 100 hours. For minority languages, completion of 20 documented assignments.

Oral and written proficiency in English

One of the following:

• Bachelor, Masters, PhD, or any other degree from any US institution of higher education.
• Graduation from any High School from an English language country or from an American School abroad.
• One of the following tests (subject to change)

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 570+ on paper; 230+ on computer version; 90+ on iBT.
ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test): 950+
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) 80+
ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English): PASS
FCE (First Certificate in English, Level 3): A
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English, Level 4): B
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English, Level 5): B
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 7.0+

Oral and written proficiency in other language(s) L2 

One of the following:

• Bachelor, Masters, PhD, or any other degree from an institution of higher education where L2 is spoken
• Graduation from a high school of the country where L2 is spoken
• A degree in L2 from any accredited university
• 15+ semester credit hours of L2
• ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): 3.5 + /Advanced Mid Level

Please send comments to IMIACertification@gmail.com  This is an important part of our transparent and inclusive process.