Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination

2018 Update

No dates have been set for the 2018 written examination (WE) phase of the Federal Court Interpreting Certification Examination (FCICE). Once the Administrative Office has determined the WE test administration dates, registration dates will be posted on this page. Registration is generally open for six to eight weeks. Dates may not be determined until the end of 2018.  Regardless of when the written test is administered, it will be administered in time for candidates to qualify for the 2019 administration of the oral phase of the FCICE.

If you have any questions, please email fcice@ao.uscourts.gov.

Examination Phases

The Federal Court Interpreting Certification Examination, often referred to as the FCICE, is administered in two phases.

Phase One Written Examination

The written examination, offered on even years, is a computer-administered screener examination which includes a multiple choice test of English proficiency and a multiple choice test of Spanish proficiency. 

Phase Two Oral Examination

The oral examination, offered on odd years, tests the ability to effectively perform the three modes of court interpreting: sight translation and simultaneous and consecutive interpretation of discourse, all of which must reflect the correct form and content of authentic interpreting functions encountered in the federal courts. 

Accordingly, the candidate is required to demonstrate the ability to effectively carry out these functions bi-directionally. Test items include both formal and informal/colloquial language, technical and legal terminology, and special vocabulary or other specialized language use which is part of the active vocabulary of a highly articulate speaker. The FCICE is offered only for Spanish/English, since that is the primary interpreting need in the federal judiciary.