ATA Certification Program

A Guide to ATA Certification

ATA has established a certification program to enable individual translators to demonstrate that they meet professional standards. Translators who pass a written examination are certified by ATA in a specific language pair and direction (from or into English). For further information, please follow the certification links listed below.

ATA Certification

• is a testament to a translator's professional competence in translating from one specific language into another
  
• is available to candidates who offer proof of eligibility to take the examination based on education and experience
  
• is awarded after a candidate passes an open-book examination administered under controlled conditions
  
• comes with the obligation to continually improve professional skills through continuing education
  
• is available only to Association members and remains valid as long as membership in the Association is continued
  
• automatically converts membership from associate membership to active or corresponding membership status
  
• is currently available into English from Arabic, Croatian, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish
  
• is currently available from English into Chinese, Croatian, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian

Benefits of Certification

Certification offers objective evidence to both translator and client that the translator possesses professional competence in a specific language combination.

Passing the certification exam automatically converts an Associate membership to an Active membership (or to Corresponding membership for those who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents). Student members, who have paid discounted membership dues, must advance to Active or Corresponding membership by paying the additional $65 in dues. Active and Corresponding members are entitled to be listed as ATA-certified in the Directory of Translation and Interpreting Services. Only Active and Corresponding members may vote in Association matters.

Certified translators may refer to their certification in their résumés, business stationery, cards, and other related materials, provided they specify the language pair(s) and direction(s).

Eligibility

Individuals who have been ATA members for at least four weeks and meet our eligibility requirements may take a certification examination. This lead-time is necessary to allow proper processing of the membership application.

Once awarded, certification is valid and may be claimed only as long as the certified person remains a member of ATA in good standing and fulfills the continuing education requirements.

Nature of the Examination

The certification examination is a three-hour, open-book, proctored exam in a specific language pair (i.e., one specific source language and one specific target language). The exam presents three passages of approximately 225-275 words. One is a general passage and is mandatory for everyone. The candidate must also choose one of the other two passages to translate: one will be from the domain of science/technology/medicine and the other will be from the domain of law/business/finance. Both passage translations must meet ATA certification standards for a passing grade.

Before taking the exam, candidates must sign a statement acknowledging that they know they will be informed only of the final result of the exam, without comments from graders, and that the exam will remain the property of ATA.

Candidates who fail the examination may apply for certification exam review.

Except for persons with disabilities, who may use non-memory typewriters, the exams must be written by hand. No electronic equipment of any kind is permitted at the exam sitting.

How the Exam is Graded

Copies of the examination, identified only by code number, are sent to two graders. Graders mark errors on a scale of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 error points. (Up to 3 quality points may be subtracted from error points.) A passage with a final score of 18 or higher is marked Fail. Candidates who receive a Pass on both passages from both graders will receive certification. In cases where the graders disagree on the outcome, a third grader is asked to grade the passages in question.

Examination Sittings

New certification test passages are introduced at the beginning of each calendar year. Sittings are offered throughout the year by ATA chapters and other local groups. Scheduled sittings are published monthly in The ATA Chronicle and updated regularly; see upcoming exam sittings.

Candidates with documented ADA-recognized disabilities may take their exams in individual sittings. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Certification Program Manager.

How to Prepare

The certification exam is challenging with an overall pass rate below 20%. To prepare for the exam, candidates are encouraged to take a practice test.

ATA offers an optional practice test program that is designed to provide a practical introduction to the nature of the exam and how the exam is graded. Taking a practice test can also indicate whether a candidate is adequately prepared to pass a certification exam. Practice tests are available from ATA Headquarters for $50 per passage. Each practice test consists of one passage from a previous year's certification exam. The translated passage will be graded and returned with comments from a grader in the certification program. Please allow a minimum of six to eight weeks to receive the results of your graded practice test. To order a practice test, complete and fax the Practice Test Request Form.

How to Apply

Arrangements for taking a certification exam are made through ATA Headquarters. The fee of $300 includes all administrative and grading expenses. Candidates must provide proof that they meet the eligibility requirements. They may register for an exam at the same time they apply for membership. ATA Headquarters must receive a completed registration form with payment of $300 at least two weeks before the test is administered.

Late registration may be possible depending on space availability and whether exams can be delivered in time. Eligible candidates may register by paying an additional late fee for a total of $345.

Warning: Each sitting has a maximum capacity and exam sittings in major metropolitan areas frequently fill up weeks or months in advance.

Candidates will be given further information on test administrator and location once they have registered for an exam. To register, download and submit the Certification Registration Form.

Refunds

No refunds will be made unless ATA Headquarters receives written notification of the candidate's withdrawal and request for refund prior to the exam date. All requests for refunds are subject to a $25 administrative fee. Requests should be sent to the Certification Program Manager.