How valuable is translation certification?

by Monica
(Murfreesboro, TN)

Monica asked: How valuable is translation certification? If translator certification is worth it, where is the nearest facility to become a certified Spanish translator?



The Spanish Translator: A lot of translators want to be told whether or not they need to get certified, but need to realize that the value of translation certification isn't a static value. Some people find certification a valuable step in their journey to become freelance translators. There are some clients that like their translators to be certified and if you deal with clients that require this, obviously certification will help.

On the other hand, some people think that certification is overblown and not as valuable as the certification organizations make it out to be. These translators are able to find and keep clients based on the actual work that they do, not necessarily on a translation certification.

If you do want to become certified, you can either find a school that offers a translation degree or you can look into an online translation certificate program. These online programs are useful because you can do most of them from your home without having to spend a lot of time away from work or family.

There aren't really facilities as such that you can go to for a day or so and come out certified. In addition to the online classes I mentioned above, there are some regular universities that offer certification programs in translation, but you will have to travel to be near one if you are not close enough already, which can be kind of a pain and somewhat unrealistic, especially if you are currently working and can't really get away for a certain time period.