Information about the IMIA Medical Interpreter Certification Program
Please Note: Information pertaining to the certification examination and program is contained in this document. Test candidates are responsible for reading and for being familiar with this information. This document will continue to be updated with the most current information on the certification program and examination and is subject to change.
Is the IMIA Certification a National Certification Program?
The IMIA has members across the country and around the world. It has a legal obligation to its members to offer certification wherever they are. In 2003 we actively began working in other states when we worked collaboratively with NCIHC and CHIA to execute the second pilot of the IMIA certification program, which took place on both the East and West coast. Because we have members abroad this will be the first time that medical interpreter certification will be offered by a non-profit professional association certifying body that is truly international and it is a very exciting time for us. We believe that the medical interpreting profession needs a credentialing body that is truly international as the IMIA is.
The IMIA has presented in several countries and organizations abroad have expressed interest in endorsing our process. Whether or not it will be accepted or endorsed by the field at large as ?the 'national' or 'international' certification program remains to be seen. We know it was the first and the largest effort undertaken by a non-profit that does not employ its interpreters. Other state government or corporate certifications exist, but the entities that are certifying are also employing those that they certify. We know our program has the support of several organizations across the country that are ready to request that their employees register for certification. There are also other organizations that would like to develop a certification process, but what remains to be seen is the need for duplication of efforts on a new certification process once the IMIA Certification is launched.
How does the IMIA Certification relate to the work of the recently formed NCC (National Coalition for Certification)?
The IMIA was instrumental in forming this coalition, is one of its founders and stands now as a member of its Steering Committee, alongside CHIA, NCIHC, and the ATA. The IMIA always believed that it was time for there to be a greater concerted effort for a call for national certification and that more parties needed to be involved in the process so that it is not just one organization?s effort. Albeit much political infighting, the member organizations chose to support our work and the work of others who already have certification programs in the market, and to work on a larger scale, developing the standards for certification. The IMIA is working with the other 13 organizational members of the coalition to set the standards for a certification program for medical interpreters. Its experience and expertise in certification, along with the other members, will help move the process along.
What is the value of having the IMIA CMI credential?
Achieving the credential of the International Medical Interpreters Association shows your commitment to upholding minimal competency for safe provider patient communication in order to avert adverse health outcomes due to misinterpretation. Certification by the entity that represents medical interpreters throughout the United States and abroad is a mark of distinction for those working in the field. It is awarded to those individuals who pass a rigorous examination of the knowledge and skills required to perform in the position of medical interpreter. Passing the IMIA Certification Program affords you a unique credential. It indicates that you are a skilled professional who has demonstrated the required level of proficiency in the field of medical interpreting. CMI stands for Certified Medical interpreter. An individual with this credential should not have to be tested by an employer ever again.
Why was the IMIA program established?
The IMIA created for this purpose back in 1986. In its Bylaws, among other objectives is the objective to develop a certification program for medical interpreters. Certainly is also embarked on this project due to the request of the membership ever since inception. It is designed to ensure professional standards, test individual performance, and offer a credential to those with the knowledge and skills required for the practice of the profession of medical interpreting.
Who is responsible for the creation of the IMIA exam?
In 1995, the IMIA, then MMIA, together with EDC (Educational Development Center) published the first Standards of Practice, developed through the DACUM Process, a job analysis process, which identified the competencies required of medical interpreters for the purpose of knowing which skills to test for certification.
Since then IMIA volunteers and those working for the IMIA have undertaken research, several drafts and iterations of its instrument and executed two pilots, the last in 2003, aimed at advancing the IMIA Certification instrument and its accompanying materials. Since January of 2008, the Board of Directors worked closely with the Certification Committee, in the development of the pre and post requisite requirements for a worldwide certification program and the implementation of the first ever written examination to be totally controlled by interpreters, which now takes the form of the IMIA examination program. The IMIA is a non-profit organization, a professional trade association, and will be the certification body for medical interpreters worldwide.
Why has this exam been developed when other certification exams already exist?
The IMIA started its work when there was no certification for medical interpreters anywhere. Upon launch of its written exams, it will be the only nationwide certification exam developed exclusively by practicing medical interpreters, versus employers, whether government or private, statewide or nationally available. Professional interpreters are the stakeholders who know best the standards required to uphold the integrity of the profession and are the ultimate experts in the medical interpreting profession. Its purpose is to create a uniform standard for interpreters working in a wide variety of medical settings, throughout the United States and abroad, across all modalities (telephone, video, and on-site). It is the first exam that tests interpreting knowledge and skills in all modalities in a medical context. It is the only examination that confers a credential offered by the profession, which belongs to the individual regardless of employment status or geographic location. We believe that every medical interpreter wherever they live, in the US or abroad, regardless of other credentials, should achieve the IMIA credential as the ultimate and only medical interpreter credential offered by their professional peers versus employers.
Which states accept the IMIA Certification?
Our goal is that organizations in all states will accept the IMIA credential once they realize that the IMIA is a certifying body that is ready to legally defend its certification process. The IMIA is working to establish relationships with other associations in different states and countries to co-endorse its certification process. State Health Departments usually take decades to decide whether or not they will endorse a particular certification program, and that will depend on the professionals in the field taking these exams and working together to support a credentialed profession.
When will the exam be given and where?
The written exams will be offered in locations across the US and designated locations abroad and the oral exams will be offered in different venues and conferences depending on the modality. A schedule of testing dates and sites will be posted and updated on the IMIA website Certification Section at the appropriate time. Initially the focus will be to get as many interpreters to undertake the written exams as possible. The written exams are scheduled to be launched in 2009.
How can I prepare for the IMIA examination?
There are many universities and other educational institutions today that offer courses in medical interpreting, and related subjects. Some offer programs leading to a certificate, a bachelor or a master?s degree. Others may include courses on medical interpreting as part of continuing education workshop or summer program or even a hospital sponsored training. Finding out what is available near you will require doing your own research, and the IMIA is working continuously to include most medical interpreting educational programs on our website at www.imiaweb.org. Workshops, seminars, and conferences offered by professional associations contribute significantly to an interpreter?s development and are held periodically in different parts of the country. Candidates should prepare for the examination by studying medical terminology, and become very familiar with most of the medical interpreters codes of professional conduct and standards of practice. Students can also prepare using reference materials, classes, and training resources that they feel are appropriate for their individual needs. The IMIA plans to have an 8 hour preparatory training program to prepare candidates to what to expect in the IMIA Written Exams.
Will the exams be offered in languages other than Spanish?
Yes. The IMIA Written Exams are in English which is language neutral in terms of testing the knowledge areas required of medical interpreters. In 2008 the IMIA Board decided that for the oral exams, the development of the exams in languages other than Spanish was a goal. The languages that were selected are: Arabic, Cantonese, French, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese, , , , , , , , , Japanese and German.. The IMIA plans to develop a Qualification Program for these other languages before the oral exams are made available.
What are the requirements to maintain the IMIA credential?
In order to maintain certification, individuals will be required to accumulate Continuing Education Units (CEUs) periodically but the IMIA has not determined exactly how many CEUs will be required. It is working with several training organizations to . The three years commence on the date on which certification is obtained, or as of the date of the last recertification.
What credential will I have?
Candidates must pass the written examination before they are eligible to take the oral one. Upon notification of a passing score on the written examination, candidates will be notified that they are eligible to register for the oral components. Upon successfully completing both the written and oral examinations, a candidate has earned the first Medical Certification Credential available to medical interpreters, and will be able to include CMI? (Certified Medical Interpreter) beside his/her name. Only those who have passed this program will be able to use this credential.
How will the passing score be set?
The pass-fail cut score will be determined using a criterion-referenced method. This is a method whereby candidates are evaluated against a predetermined minimal standard. The passing score is based on an expected level of knowledge. Each candidate is measured against a minimal competency standard of knowledge indicated in the IMIA Competency skills and not the performance of other individuals taking the examination. There is not a limit on the number of candidates who may pass or fail the examination.
When will I be notified of my test results?
Test candidates will be notified of their written test results by email within 2 weeks of the date of the examination. Candidates will be notified of their oral examination results within ten weeks of the date of the examination.
What happens if I do not pass the exam and feel that there has been an error in scoring?
All Written and Oral Exams scores are final.You will receive a score for each area to help you understand your areas for growth and to focus on should you decide to retake the certification exams.
What is the content of the IMIA examination?
The IMIA examination consists of a written component and an oral component. Candidates will have to pass the written exams in order to sit in for the oral exams.
The questions in the written portions of the exam cover the following content areas:
- Medical Terminology: procedures, illnesses, and other medical jargon in several registers (terms and expressions used by patients and providers)
- Anatomy: major body parts in several body systems. Functions, locations, and definitions.
- Interpreter Roles: the four primary roles of the medical interpreter: linguistic conduit, clarifier, cultural interface, and patient advocate, according to the various published standards of practice.
- Ethics of Professional Conduct: multiple-choice questions according to the main principles of the various published code of ethics for medical interpreters. (knowledge of main principles will be tested, not specific tenets by specific organizations required.
- Standards of Practice: This section consists of multiple-choice questions according to the various published standards of practice. (IMIA, ASTM, CHIA, and NCIHC, and Canada)
Oral Examination Content (E=English; OL= Other language)
Consecutive Interpreting (E-OL & OL-E): (all registers) - 1 simulation: approximately 250 word dialogue. Test Time: 10 minutes total for each direction
Sight Translation (E-OL & OL-E: (all registers) - 1 text: approximately 250 word dialogue
Test Time: 10 minutes total for each direction
Sight Translation Sources: consent or discharge documents, medical history forms, letters, , transcriptions, patient education forms
Test Time: 10 minutes total for each direction
Simultaneous Interpretation (E-OL): - 1 simulation
Simultaneous Interpretation (OL-E): - 1 simulation
Test Time: 5 minutes total for each direction
Note: Optional Component of the Oral Exam:
Note: Candidates who wish to be tested in more than one language will need to take the oral exams in each language pair.
