FAQ

Admission Criteria

Following is a brief outline of the admission criteria for the various professional categories represented in ATIO. Details of these criteria appear in the ATIO by-laws .

TRANSLATORS

Candidates for Certification:
hold a university degree in translation that is recognized by the Association;
OR
hold a university degree plus the equivalent of two years of full-time experience in translation in each language combination for which the applicant is applying;
OR
have the equivalent of four years of full-time experience in translation in each language combination for which the applicant is applying;
OR
be a candidate for certification in translation in good standing of a member association of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC).

Full-time translation experience must be attested to by a recent* letter of reference from an employer or from each of two clients if the applicant works as an independent/freelance translator.

*must be within the last five (5) years.


Reminder: To register for the certification examination in translation, you must EITHER:
have a degree in translation and one year of full-time experience in translation
OR
have four years of full-time experience in translation

TERMINOLOGISTS

Candidates for Certification: hold a university degree recognized by the Association in terminology or in translation, with a specialization in terminology;
OR
submit proof of two years of experience as a terminologist, attested to by a recent letter of reference from an employer or from each of two clients if the applicant works as an independent/freelance terminologist;
OR
be a candidate for certification in terminology in good standing of a member association of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC).

CONFERENCE INTERPRETERS

Candidates for Certification:
hold a university degree in conference interpreting that is recognized by the Association or have successfully completed a university or post-graduate program in conference interpreting recognized by the Association;
OR
must be able to substantiate 100 days of experience as a conference interpreter, at least 50 days in each active language [A,B] they are requesting and at least 30 days from each passive language [C] they are requesting;
OR
be a candidate for certification in conference interpreting in good standing of a member association of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC).

COURT INTERPRETERS

Candidates for Certification: hold a university degree in court interpreting that is recognized by the Association or have successfully completed a course in court interpreting recognized by the Association;
OR
be accredited as a court interpreter by the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General and submit proof of 300 hours of experience as a court interpreter;
OR
be able to substantiate 600 hours of experience as a court interpreter in Canada;
OR
be a candidate for certification in court interpreting in good standing of a member association of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC).

Please note that the Association distinguishes between conference interpretation (used in settings such as annual meetings, conventions, press conferences, business negotiations, etc.) and community interpretation (used in field such as health care, immigration and settlement, including the area known as “cultural interpretation”.) The role of community interpretation within ATIO is under review.

STUDENTS

Applicants must submit proof from a recognized university that they are registered in a degree program in translation, conference interpreting, court interpreting or terminology;
OR
be a student in good standing of a member association of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC).

ON DOSSIER CERTIFICATION

Candidates may request certification by:
becoming a candidate for certification in the professional category of the requested certification
AND
submitting a complete professional dossier in accordance with the general criteria outlined in the By-laws, and the particular requirements for each professional category.
These documents can be obtained by contacting the ATIO Secretariat.

Fee: $380