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Best language specialist certifications

Language specialist certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an language specialist to employers. However, not all language specialist certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a language specialist are Certified Translator, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), and Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI).

Below is a list of the best language specialist certifications. Obtaining an language specialist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

3 best certifications for language specialists

3 best language specialist certifications

1. Certified Translator

ATA has established a certification program to enable individual translators to demonstrate that they meet professional standards. Translators who pass a written examination are certified by ATA in a specific language pair and direction (from or into English).

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying website
Certified Translator
Certifying organization
American Translators Association

2. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying organization
Boston Language Institute
Course that help you to prepare for certification
TEFL Essentials: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
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3. Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI)

To be granted a CMI credential individuals must meet all of the eligibility prerequisites and pass BOTH the written and oral examinations. The CMI credential is awarded in the specific language(s) for which the oral exam is passed (for example CMI-Spanish). The National Board only awards the CMI credential to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria and successfully complete the written and oral examinations.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying organization
The National Board of...

What is the best certification for a language specialist?

The best language specialist certification is Certified Translator. The Certified Translator is awarded by the American Translators Association. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this language specialist certification:

  • To become a certified Certified Translator, you need to pass the exam.
  • This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 3 year.
Best certifications

The most common combination of language specialist certifications include: Certified Translator, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), and Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI).

Online courses for language specialists to earn certifications

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1. Teach English Now! Teaching Language Online

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Whether you have already taught English as a Second Language and want to start teaching it online, you've already been teaching ESL online and want to sharpen your skills, or you are new to teaching and interested in teaching ESL online, ASU and VOXY provide you with the basic ideas and concepts you need to know in order to successfully teach ESL online. This course uses a fun and interesting theme of "International Travel" to deliver content in an entertaining way. There are also plenty of...

2. Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics

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Everywhere, every day, everybody uses language. There is no human society, no matter how small or how isolated, which does not employ a language that is rich and diverse. This course introduces you to linguistics, featuring interviews with well-known linguists and with speakers of many different languages. Join us to explore the miracles of human language! The Miracles of Human Language introduces you to the many-faceted study of languages, which has amazed humans since the beginning of history...

3. Work From Home in Translation Upwork Translation Course

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Master Translation Cat Tools, Be a Freelance Translator on Upwork, and Find Work From Home Jobs!...

4. Legal English Language Certificate (LELC) Level 1 - CPD

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Learn from Lawyers - Learn the CORRECT use of articles, prepositions, legal terms & start writing your letter!...

5. Natural Language Processing

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Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a subfield of linguistics, computer science, and artificial intelligence that uses algorithms to interpret and manipulate human language.\n\nThis technology is one of the most broadly applied areas of machine learning and is critical in effectively analyzing massive quantities of unstructured, text-heavy data. As AI continues to expand, so will the demand for professionals skilled at building models that analyze speech and language, uncover contextual...

6. A Bridge to the World: Korean Language for Advanced Ⅰ

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Through this course, you can understand Korean more deeply and get advanced Korean language skills. This course is for advanced Korean learners who are interested in Korean language and culture. The course consists of 5 lessons, each lesson has the main topic of language, job, science, pop culture, and international issues. You can listen to and understand news and dialogues, and learn the expressions used in them in each lesson. Also, on the last day of each week, you can share your opinions...

7. Executive Briefing: Natural Language Processing (NLP)

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Natural Language Processing for Executives and Top-Level Managers: understand NLP in under 30 Minutes...

8. How to Become a Translator without a Degree

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Step-by-Step guide to Starting a Location-independent Freelance Translation Career without a Translation degree...

9. Writing Proofreading Course: Proofread Punctuation & Grammar

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Proofread Writing & Translation Like a Pro Be a Freelance Proofreader on Upwork Grasp Punctuation & Grammar...

10. How to get hired as a Freelance Translator. Get more clients

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Earn a Living in Freelance Translation: A Step-by-Step Course with Expert Guidance. Get hired for translation jobs...

11. Brazilian Portuguese Language Course #1-for Beginners

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Learn Portuguese from the beginning. Learn Brazilian Portuguese language with animated videos & exercises...

12. Introduction to Natural Language Processing

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Learn basics of Natural Language Processing (NLP), Regular Expressions and Text Pre-processing using Python...

13. Learn & Master Sign Language

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American Sign Language...

14. Learn Malaysian Language Speak in Malay (From Zero to Hero)

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Learn to start speaking in Malay language from scratch. Focus on conversational and practical Malay language...

15. Learn Hindi in 3 Weeks- Bestseller Language Course

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Complete Hindi language course with easy Grammar explanations supported with exercises, quizzes and practice material...

16. Web Authentication With Golang - Google's Go Language

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Learn Golang Web Authentication, Encryption, JWT, HMAC, & OAuth with the Go Language...

17. Project Charter Specialist (Accredited) Project Management

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What is Project Charter? Components? Template? Example? Document Project Charter? Project Charter Specialist Earn PDUs...

18. Speak English Like a Native: Troubleshooting Course for ESL

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English language students, learn conversation skills with over 50 video lectures in this Basic English language course...

19. Learn German Language: Complete German Course - Intermediate

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Learn German Language: Native Teacher, German Speaking, German Grammar, Vocabulary. Complete German Course. Intermediate...

20. CONFIDENCE and SELF ESTEEM: Develop Confident Body Language

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Learn how to feel and look more CONFIDENT & COMFORTABLE with proven body language tools. TOP-Rated body language course...

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