Healthcare Credential
How to Verify a Medical Interpreter Certification
Medical interpreters working in healthcare settings are subject to federal language access requirements and professional certification standards. The primary certifying body is CCHI, with RID covering American Sign Language interpreters. Here is how to verify credentials and what Section 1557 requires of healthcare entities.
Quick answer
For spoken language medical interpreters, verify through the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) at cchicertification.org/verify. For American Sign Language interpreters in healthcare settings, verify RID certification at rid.org/interpreter-search. Both portals are public and free. CMI (Certified Medical Interpreter) is the core CCHI credential; CHI (Certified Healthcare Interpreter) is the NBCMI credential — also verifiable online.
Why medical interpreter certification matters
Medical interpreting is distinct from general interpreting in ways that have direct patient safety implications. Medical interpreters must handle clinical terminology, informed consent discussions, medication instructions, and mental health disclosures with accuracy. Errors by unqualified interpreters are a documented source of adverse events in healthcare.
Federal law adds a compliance dimension. Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin in healthcare programs receiving federal funds — which includes virtually all hospitals, clinics, and health plans. Section 1557 requires covered entities to provide qualified interpreters at no cost to patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).
"Qualified" under Section 1557 means the interpreter demonstrates proficiency in both languages, knowledge of medical terminology, and adherence to interpreter ethics (confidentiality, accuracy, impartiality). Certification from CCHI or NBCMI provides the clearest documentation of qualified status.
CCHI: the primary certifying body
The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) offers two credential levels:
| Credential | Full name | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| CoreCHI | Core Certified Healthcare Interpreter | Passes written exam testing healthcare interpreting knowledge; language-neutral (no oral exam) |
| CHI | Certified Healthcare Interpreter | Passes both written and oral performance exams in a specific language; currently available for Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Korean, and others |
CCHI certifications are renewed every 4 years with continuing education. To verify:
- Go to cchicertification.org/verify
- Search by interpreter name or certificate number
- Results confirm credential type (CoreCHI or CHI), status (Active/Inactive/Expired), and expiration date
NBCMI: the CMI credential
The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) offers the CMI (Certified Medical Interpreter) credential. Like the CCHI CHI, the CMI requires passage of both written and oral performance components and is available for specific language pairs (Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, Korean, and others).
CMI and CHI are considered equivalent by most healthcare accreditation standards. Both are accepted as evidence of "qualified interpreter" status under Section 1557.
To verify a CMI credential, go to certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org and use the certificate verification tool.
RID: ASL interpreters in healthcare
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is the national certifying body for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. For healthcare settings, the relevant RID credentials include:
- NIC (National Interpreter Certification): The primary general interpreter credential
- NIC Advanced / NIC Master: Higher performance levels on the oral component
- CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter): For Deaf interpreters who work in teams with hearing interpreters
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 1557 both require healthcare entities to provide qualified auxiliary aids and services to Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients, including qualified interpreters. RID certification provides documentation of qualified status.
Verify RID credentials at rid.org/interpreter-search — search by name to confirm certification status, credential type, and whether any ethics complaints are on record.
NCIHC: professional standards (not a certifying body)
The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) is the primary professional organization for healthcare interpreters in the U.S. NCIHC publishes the National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care and a Code of Ethics — both widely referenced in healthcare language access programs.
NCIHC membership and adherence to its standards is a professional indicator but NCIHC does not issue or verify certifications. Do not accept NCIHC membership as a substitute for CCHI, NBCMI, or RID credential verification.
Section 1557 compliance: what healthcare entities must document
Covered healthcare entities (those receiving any federal financial assistance) must:
- Provide qualified interpreters at no cost to LEP patients
- Not require patients to use family members or friends as interpreters (except in documented emergencies)
- Not use minor children as interpreters
- Document the qualifications of interpreters used for significant medical encounters
- Post taglines in at least 15 languages notifying LEP patients of their right to free language assistance
For documentation purposes, keeping verification records (CCHI/NBCMI/RID certificate numbers, expiration dates, and verification screenshots) in interpreter personnel files satisfies the "qualified interpreter" documentation requirement.
Verification checklist
- 1. Collect the interpreter's name, credential type (CHI, CMI, RID NIC), and certificate number
- 2. For spoken language interpreters — verify CCHI at cchicertification.org/verify or NBCMI at certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org
- 3. For ASL interpreters — verify RID at rid.org/interpreter-search; check for any ethics complaints on record
- 4. Confirm the credential covers the specific language pair required (CHI and CMI are language-specific)
- 5. Document verification results for compliance purposes — retain certificate number, status, and verification date
- 6. For agency-provided interpreters, require written attestation of interpreter qualifications and verify a sample directly
Verify interpreter training program credentials
Medical interpreter training programs vary widely in quality. Use VerifyED to confirm that an interpreter's training institution is legitimate and accredited before accepting their educational background as part of your qualified interpreter determination.
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