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Health Care Interpreter Certificate

Become a Health Care Interpreter

Health Care Interpreters facilitate understanding and communication between clinical providers such as doctors, nurses, therapists, and technicians, and patients who speak English as a second language. The need for language interpreters fluent in Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, Arabic and other languages is growing rapidly.

Health Care Interpreter Training at HCC

In just a few months, you can earn a certificate in health care interpreting. Upon successful completion of this training, you will be ready for a career as a staff medical interpreter, to work as a bilingual staff member in a health care agency, and more. Funding for this program was provided by the Horizon Foundation.

The entire program consists of three courses for a total of 124 hours, taking place over nine months. You will earn 10 CEUs upon completion of the program.

Admission Requirements
Requirements include:
- Bilingual or the ability to speak proficiently in another language besides English
- A high school diploma or GED
- At least 18 years in age
- Some experience in interpreting preferred, but not required
- Good communication and interpersonal skills

Career Opportunities

Completion Requirements
To earn a certificate, you must:
- Complete Orientation to Health Care Interpreting, Interpreting, Interpreting in Health Care and Field Experience in Health Care Interpreting
- Attend all skills practice labs (in person)
- Complete all homework assignments and pass all quizzes and exams
Courses

The Health Care Interpreting Program is comprised of three courses that need to be taken sequentially to earn a certificate of training. You must have a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language to be able to participate in this class. Summer registration opens in April 2026.

In the first course, Orientation to Health Care Interpreting Training, students receive an overview of the program’s components and requirements. The course also introduces the standards of practice, roles, and responsibilities of health care interpreters. To advance to the second course in the series, students must demonstrate proficiency in both languages by successfully passing language assessments.

In the second course, Interpreting in Health Care, students develop the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed for effective interpretation in health care settings. The course covers common medical conditions, treatments, and procedures, while also emphasizing the importance of bridging linguistic and cultural gaps between patients and providers. Students participate in structured classroom practice with language partners who share the same target language.

In the third course, Field Experience in Health Care Interpreting, students arrange their own volunteer opportunities within the community to practice their interpreting skills in real-world settings. Through these experiences, they reflect on, analyze, and evaluate their performance to strengthen their professional development. Digital badge eligible (DB).

Orientation to Health Care Interpreting
Aug 10–13, 2026
$140 (Flexible Online)

Interpreting in Health Care
Sat, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Sep 12–Dec 12, 2026
$995 (In-Person Hybrid)

Field Experience in Health Care Interpreting
Thu 7–8 p.m. Winter 2027: Jan 28, Feb 25, Mar 18, Apr 29, May 27.
$155 (Online Hybrid)
(Dates and times for additional sessions will vary)

For more information, visit HowardCC.edu/HCIT or email HCIT@HowardCC.edu.

Occupation	Average Annual Salary	Expected Regional Employment Demand
Staff Medical Interpreter	$31,200 - $52,000+	Increasing due to recent legislation and increased demand.
Per Diem / Contractor Medical Interpreter	$31,200 - $40,000+ ($25 - $50/hr.)	Hours are not guaranteed.
Interpreting Services Managers/Directors	$52,000 - $62,400+	Small demand, since this is a management position.
Coordinators of linguistic and cultural services	$40,000 - $55,000+	Small demand; the coordinator is generally an interpreter with seniority.
Bilingual staff in a healthcare agency	Varies	HCI training improves employability in a variety of medical and non-medical staff positions.

Request Information

For more information, call 443-518-3214 or email HCIT@howardcc.edu

COURSE LEGEND

* Fees not eligible for waiver.
Tuition and fees not eligible for waiver for XE courses.
(S) = Supplies needed. Instructor will provide list at first class.
(T) = Textbook recommended or required. Purchase at HCC Bookstore or online before first class.
(DB) = Digital badge eligible.**

Health Care Interpreter Certificate

Become a Health Care Interpreter

Health Care Interpreter Training at HCC

Request Information

COURSE LEGEND

* Fees not eligible for waiver.** Tuition and fees not eligible for waiver for XE courses.(S) = Supplies needed. Instructor will provide list at first class.(T) = Textbook recommended or required. Purchase at HCC Bookstore or online before first class.(DB) = Digital badge eligible.

* Fees not eligible for waiver.
Tuition and fees not eligible for waiver for XE courses.
(S) = Supplies needed. Instructor will provide list at first class.
(T) = Textbook recommended or required. Purchase at HCC Bookstore or online before first class.
(DB) = Digital badge eligible.**