Membership

Membership Review Process

The American Translators Association Board voted to simplify the process to obtain Voting Membership through Membership Review. The process, which was approved at the ATA Board's March 13, 1999 meeting, opens up several routes to become a voting member.

The new criteria, listed below, are in keeping with the ATA Bylaws that state voting members be "professionally engaged in translating, interpreting, or closely related work." (See the following "Alternative Routes to Voting Membership.")

Currently, taking and passing the ATA certification exam is the prevalent route to voting membership. However, passing the certification exam is only one route. Voting membership may be achieved by successfully submitting credentials and other information to the Membership Review Committee. (Candidates who successfully go through the membership review process are active but not certified.)

The Board resolved that Membership Review would be handled administratively at ATA Headquarters. Applicants shall submit their credentials to Headquarters for review, accompanied by the $50 review fee. Any applications that do not clearly match the criteria for "Alternative Routes to Voting Membership" will be forwarded by Headquarters to the Membership Review Committee for its recommendation. For more information, please contact ATA Headquarters at 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 683-6100; fax: (703)683-6122; email: ata@atanet.org.

approved 3-13-99

---

Alternative Routes to Voting Membership

Any one of the following:

1. Translators and interpreters currently accredited or certified by a member association of the Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs or by the United States Federal Court Interpreter Certification Program:
   
   Proof of such accreditation or certification.
   
   
2. Translators:
   
   
   1. Proof of a degree or certificate in translation (acceptable programs to be determined by the Education and Pedagogy Committee) and
   2. One letter of reference from a client or supervisor.
      
      
3. Interpreters:
   
   
   1. Proof of a degree or certificate in interpretation (acceptable programs to be determined by the Education and Pedagogy Committee) and
   2. One letter of reference from a client or supervisor.
      
      
4. Translators or interpreters:
   

   Evidence of at least three years’ work as a translator or interpreter, which may include either of the following:

   1. Three letters of reference from clients or supervisors; or
   2. Copies of records of business activity such as Schedule C, corporate tax returns, 1099s, invoices, or work orders.
      
      
5. Persons professionally engaged in work closely related to translation and/or interpretation:

Evidence of at least three years’ work in a closely related field, which may include either of the following:

1. Teaching appointment letters; or
   
2. Terminology/lexicography research studies

The Education and Pedagogy Committee is authorized to establish a list of programs or examinations successful completion of which is sufficient to achieve voting membership.

approved 3-13-99