How long to be a certified translator

by Jessica Diaz
(Falls Church, VA 22042)

Jessica asked: So, about how long would it take me to be a certified translator? I'm graduating from high school this year and I'm looking forward to pursue something like "translating".



The Spanish Translator: Thanks for the question, Jessica. The length of time it takes to become a certified translator all depends on how long it takes you to pass a certification exam. Many people who take the ATA exam, for example, take it more than once because they fail to pass it the first or even second time. And I think there is a waiting period between times to take the test, so i could be as short as one week, or as long as a year or more. But it's also to remember that the ATA exam isn't the only certification exam. Other exams might have different requirements and you'll have to check those individually.

Hope that helps.