ATA Certification Program Policy

ATA Certification Program Policy

Membership Requirement

Candidates must be current ATA members.

At the Exam Sitting

In-Person Exams

At the in-person exam, bring a few pens or pencils as we only provide the paper on which you do your work. Remember that your translation will be photocopied and must be legible. Paper and notetaking is not allowed during the online exam.

Aside from the one computer you are using to take the exam, no electronic devices such as electronic dictionaries are allowed. You are required to provide your own laptop at the in-person exam.

All cellphones must be turned off and stowed away.

The exam is open book. You may bring and use printed reference materials such as dictionaries, thesauruses, printouts, and notecards. Candidates may not share resources.

You should arrive at the exam site thirty minutes before the exam begins.

Exams will not be graded and the exam fee will be forfeited unless all original exam passages are returned in the exam packet at the end.

Only one exam may be taken per sitting. Allow 16 weeks for exam results.

Online Exams

You are required to use a computer for the online exam. You can use a proctoring app to help monitor your exam.  An email from ExamRoom.AI will be sent with technical instruction.

The exam is open book. You may bring and use printed reference materials such as dictionaries, thesauruses, printouts, and notecards.

You should login 15 minutes before the exam begins.

Only one exam may be taken per sitting. Allow 16 weeks for exam results.

Permission to Record During Online Exams

By registering for the online exam, I agree to allow ExamRoom.AI and ATA to record me while taking the ATA Certification exam including recording my likeness as well as activity on my computer and activity in the location where I am taking the exam.

Registration Fee

All in-person exams have a limited seating capacity.

A payment of $525, must be received by ATA Headquarters at least two weeks before the exam is administered.

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

Review Procedure

Candidates who fail the exam may apply for Certification Review by completing a review request form and paying the fee of $250 per passage. If the grade of "fail" is upheld, the candidate will receive a graded copy or partial copy of the examination. The fee is refunded if the grade of "fail" is overturned.

Reviews are conducted after the close of the examination year, which is the same as the calendar year. Candidates have two months from the date of notice of exam results to apply for a review. Further details on the review procedure may be obtained on the exam review and appeal website page or contact the Certification Program Manager.