LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Students who register for the 60-hour Health Care Interpreter training must meet the language proficiency requirements for English and the non-English language as set by the Oregon Health Authority’s office of Equity and Inclusion:
Oral proficiency in both English and the non-English language (L2) may be demonstrated by passing any of the tests listed below (not expired) plus:
Oregon Court Interpreter Registered status – not expired
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY MAY BE DEMONSTRATED AS FOLLOWS:
EDUCATION - ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Graduation from any high school in an English language speaking country where English is the primary language of instruction.
Bachelor, masters, doctorate or any other degree from any U.S. institution of higher education.
Graduation from a higher education institution abroad where English is the primary language of instruction.
TESTING - ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TESTS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE). TEST RESULTS MUST BE FROM NO MORE THAN THREE YEARS AGO TO BE CONSIDERED VALID.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 570+ on paper; 230+ on computer version; 90+ on iBT
Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), Level 4: B
Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), Level 5: B
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 7.0+
Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR): 2+
Common European Framework (CEFR): B2
Oral Proficiency Interview at the advanced mid-level on the ACTFL scale
NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY MAY BE DEMONSTRATED AS FOLLOWS:
EDUCATION - ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Graduation from high school in a country where instruction is primarily in the non-English language and the person submitting proof is a native speaker of the non-English language.
Bachelor, masters, doctorate or any other degree from an institution of higher education where instruction is primarily in the non-English language and the person submitting proof is a non-English language native speaker.
TESTING - ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TESTS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE). TEST RESULTS MUST BE FROM NO MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AGO TO BE CONSIDERED VALID.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 570+ on paper; 230+ on computer version; 90+ on iBT
Interagency Language Round Table (ILR): 2+ from federal government testing agencies
Common European Framework (CEFR): B2
Oral Proficiency Interview at the advanced mid-level on the ACTFL scale
NEW!
Application from Interpreters from Languages of Lesser Diffusion Alternate proof of language proficiency
GOOD NEWS: If you speak a language of lesser diffusion that does not have a formal proficiency test available, now it is possible to fulfill this requirement in a new way. Review the new OEI's Application for Interpreters from Languages of Lesser Diffusion Alternate Proof of Language Proficiency document below:
Available templates can be downloaded below:
OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY-APPROVED LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTING CENTERS:
Language Line University Level 3 or above (Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) equivalent, based on website information). OHCIA students are eligible for a rate of $80 for testing. (See attached information for registration procedures.)
Language Testing International testing is based on American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages {ACTFL) assessment. Advanced mid-level or above. There is an optional phone interpreter (OPI) and a computer recording (OPIc). You can use either the telephone or computer recording version of the OPI.
Alta Language Services testing, 8 or above. Language proficiency for English and the non-English language can be demonstrated by showing proof of passing the National Center for State Courts Court Interpreter Oral Examination.
The passing level for all language testing is advanced mid-level on the ACTFL scale.
Language Line Solutions offers Discounted English Language Proficiency Testing
The OHCIA has secured a discounted rate for Oregon interpreters to take Language Line's English Proficiency Test. Language Line is officially recognized by the Oregon Health Authority as a valid way to prove your language proficiency for certification and qualification.
Instead of paying $150, you only pay $80!
It's highly recommended that you take a practice test before the actual test. To take a test drive click here.
You took a test drive and you are ready to schedule a test now?. Click the button below for instructions on how to receive the discounted price of $80 for the eLPT test. You must enter “other” in test type when you are ready to submit your credit card info.
Language Testing International
Language Testing International testing is based on American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) assessment. Both the optional phone interpreter (OPI — telephonic) and OPIc (computer recording) are acceptable.
