BECOME LEGAL INTERPRETERS/TRANSLATORS

Admission criteria for becoming legal interpreters/translators in Austria:

• holders of a degree in translation and/or interpreting studies: minimum: 240 ECTS credits and proof of one year of experience as interpreters/translators prior to applying for certification, or
• individuals without a degree in translation and/or interpreting studies: proof of three years of experience as interpreters/translators during the five years prior to applying for certification

Interpreters and translators must also have professional qualifications to be able to apply for admission as legal interpreters/translators (language skills: CERF level C1). Hence, they must also be familiar with

• the legal and court system of Austria and of the country/countries where their other working language is the official language
• the legal and economic terminology of the countries concerned as well as a good knowledge of the terminology of other specialized fields (medicine, engineering, etc.)
• the interpreting modes (consecutive, simultaneous/whispered, sight interpreting/translation) as well as translation techniques
• the code of professional conduct.

Several documents (birth certificate, police record, proof of nationality, diplomas, proof of professional experience, CV, etc.) must be submitted to the competent court when applying for certification.

The ÖVGD has published extensive educational material to help candidates to prepare for the certification examination. Please visit the ÖVGD web shop. A guide (Ratgeber zur Prüfungsvorbereitung - available in German only) can be downloaded from the ÖVGD website and gives detailed information about how to prepare for the examination.

The examination before a jury (1 judge, 2 language experts) consists of four parts:

• test of legal terminology (definitions and acronyms in German)
• (written) translation of a short text in both directions
• sight interpreting/translation in both directions
• a short “mock trial” with interpreting in both directions

Successful candidates will become certified for a 5-year period which can be extended for further 5-year terms, depending on the interpreters'/translators' job records and proof of CPD activities.

Those who have passed the examination, are awarded the professional title of an “allgemein beeideter und gerichtlich zertifizierter Gerichtsdolmetscher”. They work both as court interpreters and sworn translators.