CERTIFICATION EXAM

CTTIC Certification Exam (in-person)

At this time, CTTIC has not provided dates for certification exams for 2024.

Cost per language combination:
$385.00 plus 13% tax

The certification exam is controlled by the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC) and administered by ATIO in Ontario. 

Only Candidates for Certification in good standing with ATIO are eligible to register for this exam.

The examination is intended for experienced translators and interpreters who wish to have their competence recognized by their peers. It does not seek to identify aptitude or potential, but rather to attest to a candidate’s professional skills. A candidate who can produce a translation that is faithful and idiomatic and requires little or no revision is deemed capable of practicing independently.

Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis and will only be confirmed by the office at the time of payment. Please have a back-up exam date in mind in case your first choice is no longer available. There are no waitlists for sold out exam dates.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW BEST TO
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE EXAM.

Pricing

The in-person certification exam in translation costs $385 + 13% HST per language combination.
The online certification exam in translation costs $470 + 13% HST per language combination.
For example, French to English is one language combination, while English to French is another.

These fees are non-refundable.

The fees for certification exam in interpretation will be announced soon.

Available Exam Types for 2024

• Translation
• Court Interpretation
• Medical Interpretation
• Community Interpretation

Unavailable Exam Types for 2024

• Conference Interpretation
• Terminology

Available Languages for 2024

Translation
If your language is not listed below; or if your language combination includes French, with the exception of English-French and French-English combinations, please contact us before registering. You must be a Candidate for Certification in Translation in the language combination you are registering for.

Court interpretation:
The list below can only be “paired” with English.

Community and medical interpretation:
The list below can only be “paired” with English.

Format for Translation Exam

Candidates will translate one compulsory general text of approximately 200 words, and another text that is a choice between two somewhat specialized texts of about 200 words each.

The translation exam is an open book examination: dictionaries and reference works are permitted, but may not be exchanged with other candidates. 

Candidates for Certification in Translation have the choice to write the exam either by hand, using their own personal laptop, or online. In either case, all candidates will only be allowed to use hard-copy dictionaries, style guides, etc. Access to the internet, email, chat programs or to any electronic dictionaries, CAT tools, etc. will be strictly prohibited. The use of electronic devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, smart watches, etc. is strictly prohibited.

Format for Interpretation Exams

All interpretation exams include written and oral components. The ‘Written Component’ examinations may be written on a date chosen by the candidate. The ‘Oral Component’ examination may be written on a date chosen by the candidate and will be available only to those who passed their ‘Written Component’. Candidates for Certification in Community or Medical Interpreting may choose to complete both exam components at the same time. More details for the certification exams for interpreters will be announced at a later date.

Dictionaries and reference works are NOT permitted for any of the Interpretation Exams. The interpretation written exams are handwritten only. 

Medical Interpretation –Written Component:
a) Translation of a text on a Medical Theme from ‘other language’ to English or French
b) Translation of a List of Medical Terms
c) Medical Interpreter Professional Practice and Ethics

Community Interpretation –Written Component:
a) Translation of a text on a Community Theme from ‘other language’ to English or French
b) Community Interpreter Professional Practice
c) Ethics

Court Interpretation –Written Component:
a) Knowledge of the Canadian Law and Court Procedures
b) Interpreter Professional Practice and Ethics
c) Translation of Terminology into the Language of Specialty and of a Text on a Legal Theme into English

If you have already successfully passed your Written Component Interpretation Examination, please contact us to get more information on how to register for the Oral Component of your certification exam. 

Exam Marking

It takes approximately twelve (12) weeks for candidates to receive their exam results by email. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. Each translation exam is marked by two experienced certified translators who, after marking each anonymous exam independently, consult each other to determine the final mark, if applicable.

Candidates are contacted by email with their results. Translation Candidates who’s score is below the passing mark of 70% may appeal per the instructions outlined in their result letter.

Exams will not be returned to candidates.

Exam Day Regulations

• – Only registered Candidates for Certification can sit for the exam.
• – Only Candidates who have provided ATIO with their signed disclaimer can sit for the exam.
• – Arrive at least 30 minutes early to sign in and present your government-issued proof of identification (Ex: You driver’s licence or any other 2 pieces of photo identification). Late candidates will not be admitted. 
• – The use of print materials such as dictionaries and other reference works are permitted during the Translation examination only. No dictionaries or references will be allowed in court, community and medical interpreter written exams.
• – The use of electronic devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, smart watches, etc. is strictly prohibited. Any such use will lead to your immediate disqualification; the examination will not be marked, and the fee will not be refunded.

Only Candidates for Certification in good standing may register for an Exam; therefore, if you have not already paid your 2024 annual dues, payments are only possible by emailing membership@atio.on.ca for assistance and a $90 late fee will be applied to your amount owing.