What is ATA Certification?
Respected credential
ATA certification is one of the industry's most respected and recognized credential for translators. It is also the only widely recognized measure of translation competence in the U.S.
Evidence of competence
ATA certification offers qualified and independent evidence that a translator possesses professional competence in a specific language combination. It recognizes translators with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality translation.
Not just a one-time test
ATA certification requires translators to maintain their credential with ongoing continuing education. This commitment to learning should always be an integral part of every professional's career.
Language Combinations Available
Translators are certified by ATA in a specific language pair and direction (from or into English). Certification is currently available in the following language combinations:
English into Arabic
English into Chinese
English into Croatian
English into Dutch
English into French
English into German
English into Hungarian
English into Italian
English into Japanese
English into Korean
English into Polish
English into Portuguese
English into Romanian
English into Russian
English into Spanish
English into Swedish
English into Ukrainian
Arabic into English
Chinese into English*
Croatian into English
Danish into English
Dutch into English
French into English
German into English
Hungarian into English*
Italian into English
Japanese into English
Korean into English
Persian into English*
Polish into English
Portuguese into English
Russian into English
Spanish into English
Swedish into English
Ukrainian into English
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Learn how to establish a new language combination.
*Indicates certification is temporarily unavailable.
More Certification Resources
Verify a translator’s certification status
If you have an applicant’s certification number, use this tool to verify their certification and language pair(s).
Certified translation vs. certified translator
A certified translation is a one accompanied by a signed statement affirming the completeness and accuracy of the document.
A translator does not need to be certified in order to provide a certified translation.
If a translator is not certified, are they bad?
No! There may not be an exam available in the translator’s language combination, or the translator may be well-established and not need the additional confirmation of their skills.
About the Certification Exam
To earn ATA certification, a translator must pass a challenging three-hour proctored exam. The exam assesses the language skills of a professional translator: comprehension of the source-language text, translation techniques, and writing in the target language.
The current pass rate is less than 20%
Fewer than 2,000 ATA members are certified (out of over 10,000 members)
Certification Pass Rates 2004–2014
The Certification Committee is happy to report here on certification pass rates for 2004–2014.1 Pass rates have remained relatively stable over time, and this is reflected in the 2004-2014 data…
