Questions about certification

First, how long is the certification program? Is is done online or through an educational institution? I'm intersted in Spanish interpetation. Spanish is my native language, although I have lived in the US for many years. I've been both a paralegal and legal secretary. I was recently asked to translate at an informal settlement conference and we were able to settle the case.

I have been in many situations where a certified translator is present and what they are interpreting is not exactly what the person has said. I know how to translate, but not in the legal field. I have no desire to work in a courthouse; merely at my firm doing occasional interpretation for meetings and possibly depositions. I believe my firm would love to have an in-house person to do this - it seems translators charge exorbitant rates and I would definitely charge far less expensie and also have another title under my belt.

So please respond to my quetionz about the length of the program, the cost, the certification requirements (like is there testing required, and any other information you coud d. I wuold be most appreciative for your prompt response. By the way, I'm in the San Franciso Bay area.