Texas

Language Access Coordinator Contact

Ron Morgan, JBCC Director
Licensed Court Interpreters (LCI), Office of Court Administration, Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC)
P.O. Box 12066
Austin, Texas 78711-2066
Phone: (512) 475-4368
Email: courtinterpreters@txcourts.gov
Website

Code of Ethics or Rules of Professional Conduct

Language Access Plan (See language access plans subsection)

Interpreter Statutes and Rules (See state statutes and rules subsection)

Coordination/Supervision of Interpreters: Decentralized court system - coordinated by each local court

Cost of Interpreter Services (including fees to freelance and salaries of staff interpreters): Unknown - fees and salaries determined by each local jurisdiction.

Budget for Language Access Program (not including direct interpreter services): Unknown

Funding for Language Access Program: Decentralized court system - determined by each local court

Compensation Range for Salaried Interpreters (spoken language): Decentralized court system - determined by each local court

Compensation Range for Salaried Interpreters (sign language): Decentralized court system - determined by each local court

Compensation Range for Freelance Interpreters (certified spoken language): Determined by each freelance interpreter as an independent contractor

Compensation Range for Freelance Interpreters (certified sign language): Determined by each freelance interpreter as an independent contractor

Difference in Pay between Spanish and LOTS Interpreters: Undeterminable

Minimum Certification Requirements:

  1. Complete the Exam Orientation Course. Applicants must successfully complete a 6 hour Commission Approved Orientation course before they are eligible to take the written and oral examinations. The certificate of completion must be submitted with the Application for Licensure.
  2. Submit the Application for Licensure and Exam Registration Form. You must apply for licensure and register for the exam via our online licensing and certification system. To apply online, please go to the online certification and licensing system on our home page.
  3. Submit the application fee. Please see the Fees section of this page for information on amounts due, acceptable forms of payment, etc.
  4. Pass a criminal history background check by DPS and the FBI. Staff will email the required form needed to schedule their fingerprinting appointment to applicants who have not yet been fingerprinted for the JBCC, after we’ve received their applications.
  5. Pass all parts of a Commission-approved examination.

Dates and Locations of Testing and Training

Additional Information:

Frequently Asked Questions

Court Interpreter Fundamental Tutorial

Additionally, the Texas Office of Court Administration offers free remote interpreting services through its Texas Court Remote Interpreter Program: http://www.txcourts.gov/tcris/

Best Practices for Spoken Language Interpreting in Texas Courts