BURG Training and Certification Program for Interpreters (TCPI)

The BURG Training and Certification Program for Interpreters (TCPI) is a comprehensive, self-paced online program covering the skills, ethics, and specialized knowledge required to work as a qualified interpreter. The curriculum addresses interpreting techniques and modes, industry-specific terminology, professional standards, and the practical realities of community, medical, and legal interpreting.

The program serves both organizations that need to qualify in-house interpreting staff and individual interpreters who are formalizing their credentials or expanding into a new specialty. All participants retain access to course materials for one year from enrollment.

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Interpreter in training reviewing course materials at her workstation during the BURG Training and Certification Program for Interpreters.

Language service provider certification programs

Who the Programs Are For

Healthcare organizations qualifying staff interpreters: Hospitals and health systems subject to Title VI, Section 1557, or state language access mandates must provide services through qualified interpreters. The TCPI provides a documented, auditable path to qualification for in-house staff — replacing the compliance risk created by using untrained bilingual employees in interpreting roles.
Legal and court settings: Organizations that require interpreters for depositions, hearings, or client communications benefit from structured training in legal interpreting ethics, sight translation, and the procedural context of legal environments.
Community organizations serving LEP populations: Organizations working with limited English proficient (LEP) communities need interpreters who understand both the technical demands of the role and the ethical obligations, including role boundaries, impartiality, and cultural mediation, that govern it.
Individual interpreters formalizing credentials: Freelance and staff interpreters at any stage of their career can use the TCPI to document their qualifications, expand into a new specialization, or build a stronger professional foundation.

Program Structure

The TCPI is divided into 2 core courses and 3 specialized courses. Core courses cover the foundational principles and techniques of interpreting. Specialized courses address community, medical, and legal settings, each of which carries distinct terminology, ethical considerations, and regulatory context. Participants may complete all courses in the bundle or enroll in individual courses relevant to their specialization.

Each module includes a general overview, case studies drawn from real interpreting practice, assessments and exams, and coverage of the regulations and ethics that govern the field.

Course 1	Course 2 (2 parts)	Course 3	Course 4	Course 5
Introduction to Interpreting	The Interpreting World	Community Interpreting	Medical Interpreting	Legal Interpreting
Core	Core	Specialization	Specialization	Specialization

Course 1: Introduction to Interpreting

Provides the foundational knowledge required to enter the interpreting profession. Covers the core principles, history, and scope of the field alongside the competencies, market realities, professional responsibilities, and regulatory framework that define practice. The primary goal is to give participants an in-depth understanding of the interpreting world as the foundation for their professional development. Learners develop a critical approach by examining the main linguistic, interpersonal, technical, and cultural issues involved in the work.

Course 2, Part 1: Modes and Techniques

Explores the main interpreting modes and professional settings, providing a deeper understanding of how interpreters work in different contexts. Introduces key techniques, sight translation, consecutive interpreting, and simultaneous interpreting, examining the underlying processes, strategies, and best practices for each. Addresses the interpreter’s role across various settings, the challenges commonly encountered, and the tools and equipment required to perform effectively.

Course 2, Part 2: Industry, Skills, and Preparation

Examines the interpreting profession from both a practical and professional perspective, focusing on how interpreting services operate within the market and what clients expect. Covers structured training strategies and core techniques for managing cognitive and linguistic challenges, professional competencies, and ethical decision-making. Reinforces core interpreting skills and codes of ethics across community and legal settings, preparing participants to perform effectively in real-world, high-pressure environments.

Course 3: Community Interpreting

A comprehensive introduction to community interpreting, covering its scope, professional role, and ethical foundations within public service settings. Examines the responsibilities of the community interpreter, the main work environments, and the core skills required to ensure accurate, culturally appropriate, and ethical communication. Addresses interpreting modes, terminology management, ethical decision-making, and cultural mediation, with an emphasis on professionalism and long-term development in diverse and often high-pressure community contexts.

Course 4: Medical Interpreting

A comprehensive introduction to medical interpreting and its essential role in healthcare settings. Covers the core competencies, ethical standards, and professional practices required of medical interpreters, including advocacy and pre-session management. Strengthens medical terminology skills by explaining how medical language is structured and applied in real encounters. Addresses note-taking strategies specific to medical settings and provides a solid foundation in human anatomy and body systems to support accurate communication.

Course 5: Legal Interpreting

A comprehensive foundation in legal interpreting, covering its scope, professional role, and ethical boundaries within judicial settings. Explores the legal process, court systems, and interpreter responsibilities across a range of legal environments. Develops mastery of interpreting modes used in legal contexts, with particular emphasis on sight translation. Strengthens precision and neutrality through focused work on legal terminology and register. Examines ethical standards, professional conduct, and decision-making frameworks in depth, preparing interpreters to perform accurately and impartially in high-stakes legal proceedings.

How Certification Works

100% online, self-paced: Access course materials from any internet connection at any time. No scheduled sessions or attendance windows are required.
Assessments and exams throughout: Each module includes tests and assessments to confirm knowledge before progressing. Final exams are conducted online.
BURG-managed certification: BURG issues certificates upon successful course completion. Certifications are documented and verifiable. Organizations can request records for compliance documentation.
Flexible enrollment: Courses 1 and 2 can be combined with any individual specialization or taken as a full bundle with all 3 specializations. One year of access from enrollment.

Patricia Crane

"This course not only covers the essential fundamentals of interpreting but also delves into specialized fields, equipping you with quite a helpful background and terminology. I highly recommend it for beginners looking to develop their interpreting skills. I found the Medical Interpreting section to be very helpful because it felt deep and engaging, especially with the use of videos and the detailed breakdown of special fields and terms."

İrem Aşlamacı

Translator and Interpreter

Patricia Crane

"This course is the best I have ever done so far. The content exceeded my expectations — engaging, with a perfect balance between theory and practical exercises. I especially appreciated the real-world simulation sessions, which helped me build confidence in high-pressure interpreting scenarios. The focus on cultural nuances made me more aware of the subtleties in language interpretation. I'd highly recommend this course to anyone looking to refine their interpreting skills and gain hands-on experience."

Maria Paulina Riggs

Interpreter

Compliance Context

Federal regulations, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, require healthcare organizations to provide language access through qualified interpreters. The term ‘qualified’ has a specific meaning under these regulations: it is not satisfied by a bilingual staff member without formal training and demonstrated interpreting competency. State-level requirements vary, and enforcement activity through the HHS Office for Civil Rights has increased in recent years.

The TCPI provides organizations with a verifiable, auditable credential to document interpreter qualifications. If you are reviewing your organization’s language access program or responding to a compliance gap, contact us. BURG provides advisory support alongside the training programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does completing the TCPI qualify someone as an interpreter under Title VI or Section 1557?

The TCPI provides a verifiable, documented credential that supports an organization’s documentation of qualified interpreters. Whether a specific certification satisfies a specific regulatory requirement depends on the applicable standard and jurisdiction. We recommend consulting legal counsel alongside your language access program review. BURG also provides advisory support on compliance posture — contact us to discuss.

What is the difference between a bilingual staff member and a qualified interpreter?

A bilingual staff member has language proficiency. A qualified interpreter has demonstrated proficiency in interpreting techniques, ethics, role boundaries, and domain-specific terminology — and holds documentation to prove it. Using bilingual staff who have not been formally trained as interpreters creates compliance risk under Title VI and Section 1557, and in clinical settings, patient safety risk. The TCPI is designed to bridge that gap.

Which courses are required, and which are optional?

Courses 1 and 2 form the core of the program and establish the foundational competencies required for any interpreting specialization. Courses 3, 4, and 5 are specializations in community, medical, and legal interpreting respectively. Participants may take Courses 1 and 2 alone, combine them with any individual specialization, or complete the full 5-course bundle.

Does the TCPI qualify for continuing education credit?

The TCPI does not currently qualify for ATA Continuing Education Points, as ATA certifies translators rather than interpreters. Contact us for information on other continuing education programs applicable to interpreters.

How long does the program take to complete?

The program is entirely self-paced, with no scheduled sessions or attendance windows. Duration depends on which courses are selected. All enrolled participants retain access to course materials for one year from enrollment.

Can a hospital or health system enroll its entire interpreting staff?

Yes. The TCPI is designed for organizational enrollment. BURG manages certification issuance for all enrolled team members and can provide certification records for compliance documentation. Contact us to discuss volume pricing and onboarding.