The following resources are provided for current and prospective contract interpreters working with the Northern District of California:
- Interpreter Forms
- Current Mileage Rate
- Standard Terms and Conditions for short-term contracts
- Blanket Purchase Agreement Terms and Conditions for annual contracts
- Standards for Performance and Professional Responsibility of the United States Courts
- US Courts' nationwide contract interpreter information
Background Check and Fingerprint Requirement
All contract interpreters must satisfy a fingerprint-based background check requirement to be eligible for initial and continuing assignment.
Federal courts use a tiered qualification system to ensure accurate interpretation while allowing flexibility for languages where certification examinations do not exist or are not locally relevant.
Federally Certified Interpreters
Federal certification is administered by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and is available in only a small number of languages. For this district, Spanish is the primary language for which federal certification is relevant.
Federally certified interpreters have passed rigorous written and oral examinations and meet the highest federal qualification standard.
Professionally Qualified Interpreters
For languages for which the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts does not administer a federal certification examination, interpreters may be designated as Professionally Qualified upon submission of sufficient documentation demonstrating that they meet one or more of the criteria below.
A Professionally Qualified interpreter may qualify by having:
- Passed the U.S. Department of State conference or seminar interpreter test in a language pair that includes English and the target language
- Passed the interpreter test of the United Nations in a language pair that includes English and the target language
- Passed the full version of an oral certification, criterion-referenced performance examination developed by the National Center for State Courts
- Be a current member in good standing of one of the following professional organizations, with qualification based on a language pair that includes English and the target language:
- Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conférence (AIIC)
- The American Association of Language Specialists (TAALS)
- For sign language interpreters, hold the Specialist Certificate: Legal (SC:L) issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
Professional qualification is based on documented credentials and verified performance standards and reflects advanced interpreting competence in legal or conference settings.
Language-Skilled (Ad Hoc) Interpreters
An interpreter who does not qualify as a federally certified or professionally qualified interpreter, but who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Court the ability to interpret court proceedings accurately from English into a designated language and from that language into English, may be classified as a Language-Skilled (ad hoc) interpreter.
The Language-Skilled category includes interpreters who are LS California Registered, as well as other interpreters determined by the Court to have sufficient language proficiency for a particular proceeding.
Language-Skilled (ad hoc) interpreters are used only when federally certified or professionally qualified interpreters are not available. Their qualifications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on demonstrated language proficiency and the needs of the proceeding.
Federally certified and professionally qualified interpreters are compensated at a higher rate than Language-Skilled (ad hoc) interpreters.
Interpreter compensation varies based on interpreter qualification level and assignment length. Compensation is typically based on half-day and full-day assignments, but may vary by assignment.
Contract Interpreter Rates
| Interpreter Type | Full Day | Half Day | Overtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO Certified | $566 | $320 | $80/hour |
| PQ & LS California State Certified | $495 | $280 | $70/hour |
| LS & LS California Registered | $350 | $190 | $44/hour |
| NOTES:The half-day rate is paid for services up to/including 4 hrs/day.The full-day rate is paid for services in excess of 4 hrs, up to/including 8 hrs/day.Overtime hourly rate applies after the first 8 hrs. | |||
Rate Notes
- The half-day rate applies to services up to and including 4 hours per day.
- The full-day rate applies to services exceeding 4 hours, up to and including 8 hours.
- Overtime rates apply after the first 8 hours of service.
Rates are applied by the Court and are subject to change.
The Court maintains a roster of approved contract interpreters. To remain eligible for assignment, interpreters must:
- Meet qualification standards
- Comply with background check requirements
- Follow court policies and procedures
Roster administration and onboarding are handled by the Court in accordance with applicable policy.
| Location | Phone | ||
| San Francisco | SF_Interpreters@cand.uscourts.gov | 415-522-2171 | |
| Oakland | Nicole_Hall@cand.uscourts.gov | 510-637-3541 | |
| San Jose | Nicole_Coleman@cand.uscourts.gov | 408-535-5346 | |
| Eureka-McKinleyville | SF_Interpreters@cand.uscourts.gov | 415-522-2171 | |