If you’ve long been a translator, consider honing your language skills and training to become certified. Hence, it’s natural for you to ask, “How much does it cost to become a certified translator?”
Since this achievement leads to a better reputation and bigger opportunities, you shouldn’t expect it to come for free. But how much will you invest to elevate your rank in the translation industry? Read this article to find out!
Table of Contents
What Is Translator Certification?
A translator certification is a document that states a translator’s qualifications. Like in every other industry and career path, there are levels you attain as you advance in experience.
Similarly, translator certification is a document that attests to a translator’s skills. Most people join the translation industry at the basic level, so their duties revolve around content conversion.
They specialize in masterfully converting content from one language to another while maintaining its context. As easy as it sounds, navigating language nuances, syntax rules, and the like requires tactfulness. The translator’s job includes maintaining the documents’ tone, style, and format.
However, despite being an official translation, it’s less credible than a certified translation. Hence, you must progress from offering basic translations to taking on bigger roles and growing your reputation.
To do this, you must take translator certification exams and become a certified translator. After successful completion, the organizing body will give you a translator certification degree.
You can present your certification to institutions when seeking translation jobs as proof of your expertise and specialization. You can also use this document to prove your capability to potential clients. Thus, your certification is tangible evidence.
How Much It Costs To Become a Certified Translator
Various organizations within the translation agency organize translator certification examinations. Translators in America mostly take the American Translators Association (ATA) exam, but there are other equally credible certification exams. The popular ones are those organized by the United Nations and Global Translation Institute.
All the institutions above are prominent in the global translation industry, so their certification is credible enough to build trust. However, the bone of contention is how much they cost.
The registration fees differ from the cost of study materials and preparatory tests. Knowing how much each organization charges is crucial to making an informed decision.
The ATA offers limited slots for applicants and collects $525 for registration. On the other hand, the UN fee for the Language Proficiency Examination (LPE) varies by location.
If you register at the screening center in New York, it’ll cost you $300. However, when registering at other centers, you’ll pay a lesser sum of $200. However, before taking language acquisition courses, you’ll pay $495.
The Global Translation Institute offers a certified translator professional program in 28 language pairs. The examination fee per language pair is $475. But if you want to add an extra language pair, the fee increases by $97. If you fail the exam format on the first trial, you can resit it after paying $99.
How To Become an ATA-Certified Translator
The ATA is the top translation organization in the U.S. Hence, many translators opt for the ATA certification. You must first join the organization to get the ATA translation certification.
You can review the language certification options if the organization accepts your membership request. However, you can take the physical or online exam as a non-member and pay a higher fee of $725.
The ATA eligibility criteria include a bachelor’s qualification, a graduate degree, and proof of translation experience. Always confirm your eligibility before making payment to avoid wasted efforts.
After confirmation, you can pay the registration fee and study online resources. Ensure you undertake sufficient training to boost your understanding, translation techniques, accurate terminology, and writing skills.
After candidates write the exam, ATA grades them within six weeks. Members who retake the exam must pay $200, while non-members pay $300. However, prices can change at any time.
Getting the United Nations (UN) Translation Accreditation Certificate
Before becoming certified by the UN, you have to take the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE). You can also take the free Language Competitive Exam (LCE). These exams test your target language proficiency in the six UN languages.
It also assesses your vocabulary and terminology base in your translation field, understanding ability, and writing skills. To qualify for the language proficiency exam, you must have a bachelor’s degree in translation. It’s also necessary to have a degree from any of the reputable translation schools.
If you pass the written test, you can progress to the next stage, where you’ll sit for an interview. After passing the interview, the UN will bestow you with a certification to prove your competence.
Acquiring Certification From The Global Translation Institute (GTI)
The Global Institute of Translation hosts a Certified Translation Professional (CTP) program. The organization provides registered students with study resources before the exam.
Once you pay the tuition fee, the organization will give you training videos, practice tests, and study guides. You’ll have lifetime access to all these and many more. If you plan to take this exam, you must register on time, as the portal closes two weeks early.
You can choose between any of the 23 languages to specialize in and write its certification exam. You must answer 80 objective questions, two passages, and essays in the exam.
The passages test your ability to translate from your source to target languages and vice versa. If you pass these tests, you will receive an authentic translator certification.
How Much Does It Cost To Become a Certified Translator Without a Degree?
If you intend to become a certified professional translator without a degree, there is no static amount to prepare. It entails a lengthy skill acquisition process outside formal education.
To begin this process, you must study to become a translator without a degree. Though having a degree makes things easier, you can still chase your dreams without one. Thus, you can become a self-taught writer or skater using language-learning apps.
You can also befriend natives of your target language. With this, you’ll have human guidance and people to practice your language-speaking abilities. You can augment these study procedures with online courses from notable e-learning platforms.
With this, you can get educational diplomas in translation courses or certificates for completion of courses.
When you fully understand the context of documents across languages, you can intern with translation companies to gain experience. Another option is to volunteer as a translator for organizations.
Register for workshops and conferences to learn about the industry’s workings and receive new trend updates as you prepare.
After a while, you can practice as a freelance translator to make money off your skills and save. Freelance translators are independent professionals who set their payment rates.
When you can afford a certification exam, find a program that accepts applicants with a high school diploma. When you do, register and write the exam. If you pass, the organization will give you the much-needed certification, elevating your professional rank.
FAQ
Find below answers to some common questions about the translator certification exam.
Is it worth it to become a certified translator?
Yes, becoming a certified translator is a dream worth pursuing. It boosts your reputation and elevates your rank, making you stand out in the industry. Moreover, document certification can offer you financial benefits.
How much does the ATA exam cost?
As of 2024, the ATA charges its members an examination fee of $525. However, non-members will have to pay a higher sum of $725. Therefore, if there’s enough time, it’s better to become a member before applying to take the exam.
What is the best translator certification program in the U.S.?
The ATA certification program is one of the best recommended for translators. Other equally good ones are the UN LPE and the CTP. So, if you seek certification, register and sit for any of these exams.
Get Exquisite Certified Translations From Rapid Translate
Not everyone wants to become a certified translator. Some need certified translations that match the requirements of foreign institutes. If you’re in this category, there’s no need to ask, “How much does it cost to become a certified translator?”
Rather, you’ll wonder where to find high-class certified translators. Don’t worry; Rapid Translate is the best translation company with CTP, UN, and ATA-certified translators. These best-certified translators will carefully review your translation and ensure its correction before certifying it.
