Rule 12 Tiers of Court Interpreter Designation Status

Hawaiʻi courts rank spoken-language interpreters into different levels, called tiers, based on their skills and test scores. This system helps courts know how qualified an interpreter is before assigning them to a case.

Everyone starts at Tier 1, called "Registered." To reach this level, an interpreter must meet the basic requirements listed in Rule 2.1. Once someone is a Tier 1 interpreter, they can move up by taking approved oral proficiency exams.

Interpreters can rise through Tiers 2, 3, 4, or 6 by passing exams given by the National Center for State Courts or LionBridge. Each tier requires a higher test score than the one before it, with Tier 6 being the highest level, called "Certified Master."

There is another path to move up too. Interpreters can earn higher tiers by passing federal or State Department exams instead. Passing the Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination moves someone straight to Tier 6. Getting a "Conference Interpreter" rating from the U.S. State Department moves someone to Tier 3. Getting a "Seminar Interpreter" rating from the State Department moves someone to Tier 2. These different paths give interpreters more than one way to prove their skills and qualify for court work at a higher level.