40-Hour Medical Interpreter Training Turn your language skills into a rewarding new career with our most popular online training. Earn your 40-hour medical interpreter certificate and get qualified to work as an interpreter on your own schedule! Enroll now!
Learn at your own pace
Flexible payment plans
42 languages

Trained Medical Interpreters are in Demand

As a bilingual individual, you’ve got a marketable skill that could lead to a rewarding new career helping others. Healthcare is a growing field and the potential to find a great job is very real.

Our 40-hour interpreter training course teaches you everything you need to know to get started as a medical interpreter, like the interpreter code of ethics and standards of practice, the basics of the human body systems, medical terminology, and more.

When you finish the course, you’ll receive a Certificate of Qualification you can use to find work right away.

Bonus: Your certificate also fulfills 3 of the requirements for applying to take the NBCMI or CCHI exams: it serves as proof of your initial interpreter training AND as proof of language proficiency for both English and your target language!

The 40-hour training course is perfect for you if:

You want to work as a <em>professional</em> medical interpreterYou want to work as a professional medical interpreter
You speak English & another language <em>fluently</em>You speak English & another language fluently
You're comfortable using a computer or tablet & the internetYou're comfortable using a computer or tablet & the internet

You can become a medical interpreter even if...

You have NO medical experience or trainingYou have NO medical experience or training
You've never worked as an interpreter beforeYou've never worked as an interpreter before

Online Testimonial Truly one of the best investments I've ever made. The ALTA team's attentiveness and efficiency is like none other. - Michel H. Fall 2016 online student

Introducing: Breaking Boundaries in Healthcare

The 40-hour medical interpreter training from ALTA Language Services

This course guides you step-by-step through everything you need to know to become a qualified medical interpreter and apply for jobs with agencies all over the world.

Each unit features video lessons with trained interpreters and educators who are excited to help you get started in your new career. You’ll practice your oral interpretation skills, chat with our team during weekly office hours, and have the ability to schedule affordable one-on-one coaching (in available languages).

Complete the course online at your own pace. You can go through the lessons and pass your tests in just a few weeks if you want. Or complete the lessons over time to make it fit your busy schedule.

Your enrollment includes:

  • Unlimited 24/7 access for 16 weeks
  • Weekly live office hours with our team
  • Final written & oral exams
  • Certificate of Qualification
  • Private coaching sessions (optional)
  • Interest-free payment plans!

What does my language include?

Choose your language below to see what is included with your course

  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Arabic
  • Weekly Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Arabic interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and Arabic
  • 3 practice videos in English and Arabic
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Arabic interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Cantonese
  • Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Cantonese Interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and simplified Chinese characters
  • 3 practice videos in English and Cantonese
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Cantonese interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Mandarin
  • Weekly Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Mandarin interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and simplified Chinese characters
  • 3 practice videos in English and Mandarin
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Mandarin interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and French
  • Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional French interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and French
  • 3 practice videos in English and French
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional French interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Haitian Creole
  • Weekly Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Haitian Creole interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and Haitian Creole
  • 3 practice videos in English and Haitian Creole
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Haitian Creole interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Hindi
  • Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Hindi interpreter
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Hindi interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Japanese
  • Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Japanese interpreter
  • 3 practice videos in English and Japanese
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Japanese interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Korean
  • Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Korean interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and Korean
  • 3 practice videos in English and Korean
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Korean interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Portuguese
  • Weekly Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Portuguese interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and Portuguese
  • 3 practice videos in English and Portuguese
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Portuguese interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Russian
  • Weekly Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Russian interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and Russian
  • 3 practice videos in English and Russian
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Russian interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Spanish
  • Self Paced Spanish Interpretation Practice Lessons with Interpretation Samples
  • Weekly Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Spanish interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and Spanish
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Spanish interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Swahili
  • Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Swahili interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and Swahili
  • 2 practice videos in English and Swahili
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Swahili interpreter ($60/hour)
  • 40 hour course taught in English with final oral exam in English and Vietnamese
  • Live Group Interpretation Coaching led by a professional Vietnamese interpreter
  • Bilingual Medical Terminology Glossary in English and Vietnamese
  • 3 practice videos in English and Vietnamese
  • Optional one-on-one Interpretation Coaching with a professional Vietnamese interpreter ($60/hour)

Get instant access now and launch your interpreting career:

Pay in full One-time Payment: $650 $625 (Save $25!) Get instant access to all course materials and start your lessons within minutes!

Save $25 by paying in full now!

Add To Cart 14-day Money-back Guarantee

Payment Plan Start today for only: $200 Pay just $200 today for immediate access to all course materials. Pay the balance in 3 easy monthly payments of $150 each. Add To Cart 14-day Money-back Guarantee

ALTA's 40-hour medical interpreter training prepares you for a rewarding new career in just weeks.

Course Materials
Your course materials
  • 20 learning modules with engaging video lessons
  • Weekly group coaching sessions with a professional interpreter (9 languages)
  • Interactive online coursebook
  • Student roleplay workbook
  • Bilingual medical glossary (14 languages)
  • A 16-week study guide to keep you on track
  • Final written & oral exams

Learn everything you need to know to work as a medical interpreter:

Interpretation roles & techniques Interpretation roles & techniques
Basics of the human body systems Basics of the human body systems
How to find interpreter jobs How to find interpreter jobs
Interpreter Code of Ethics Interpreter Code of Ethics
Medical testing & procedures Medical testing & procedures
Title VI & language access rights Title VI & language access rights
Medical terminology Medical terminology
Emergency & specialized care Emergency & specialized care
Prepare to pass your exams Prepare to pass your exams

Pass your exams to earn your Certificate of Qualification from home!

You'll take 2 exams to complete our 40-hour course:

Written Exam Written Exam

You’ll take your written exam online in English. Test questions are made up entirely of true/false, multiple-choice, and fill-in-the-blank questions. (No essays!) This exam will test your theoretical knowledge of medical interpretation. Questions cover Interpreter Ethics, best practices, legislation related to language access, medical information, and cultural competency.

Written Exam Oral Exam

Your oral exam is conducted over the phone. There will be 2 evaluators, one playing the part of a doctor speaking English; the other playing the part of a patient speaking in your target language. Your test is an interpretation between the two of them.

Graduate Testimonial "I would encourage anyone who's thought about taking this class to go ahead and take it. We need more good interpreters!" - Tatyana
Graduate Testimonial "I really enjoyed the format! The videos of Stephanie were super helpful and they created a classroom setting that was very pleasant with such an intense learning experience!" - Yasser
Graduate Testimonial "Every single chapter was enhanced with new and attractive content such as videos, role play, activities, and much more. This all made learning fascinating." - Jackie
Graduate Testimonial "I have been very impressed with Alta’s course. I have found it to be very well put together and highly professional in its approach." - F.P., Winter 2018

Try it risk-free with our 14-day money-back guarantee

ALTA is an employee-owned company, so each one of us is personally invested in your success. We’ve put our heart and soul into this program and we’ve seen it help hundreds of students find fulfilling, well-paying jobs in the healthcare industry.

If you dedicate yourself to the program, it works. We know that because our students tell us it’s true…and they have the results to prove it

We want to see you grow personally and professionally to meet your goal of being a professional medical interpreter. But if our course isn’t right for you for any reason, just ask for a refund within 14 days and we’ll give you your money back, guaranteed.*

*If you request a refund you will not be eligible to receive a Certificate of Qualification.
14-day money-back guarantee

Launch your interpreting career today for just $200

Register for Breaking Boundaries in Healthcare, the 40 Hour online medical interpreter course
Pay in full One-time Payment: $650 $625 (Save $25!) Get instant access to all course materials and start your lessons within minutes!

Save $25 by paying in full now!

Add To Cart 14-day Money-back Guarantee

Payment Plan Start today for only: $200 Pay just $200 today for immediate access to all course materials. Pay the balance in 3 easy monthly payments of $150 each. Add To Cart 14-day Money-back Guarantee

Still have questions? We have answers.

What is required to become a medical interpreter?

In order to work as a medical interpreter, you will need to at least complete a 40-hour training course, like this one.

You can apply for jobs and find work with just this 40-hour Certificate of Qualification.

If you want to be more competitive for the best jobs you may want to continue and get your national certification from either CCHI or NBCMI. But in order to apply to take either national certification exam, you must complete a qualifying 40-hour course first.

I don’t have any medical training. Can I still be an interpreter?

Absolutely. Our students come from all types of jobs— servers, educators, stay-at-home moms, and dozens of others. If you start with a bilingual foundation and you’re willing to put in the work, we’ll teach you all that you need to know.

How much money do medical interpreters make?

According to Payscale.com, the average medical interpreter makes around $47,000 per year and many full-time interpreter positions also include valuable benefits, like healthcare and vacation time.

How do I get my national certification?

Your first step is to complete an approved 40- hour training course. Then, you can apply to take your National Certification exams through the CCHI or the NBCMI. To apply, you need proof of your 40- hour training, proof of fluency in English, and proof of fluency in your target language. A Certification of Qualification from ALTA’s course meets all 3 of these requirements. For more information on pre-requisites, fees, and how to register, take a look at the CCHI and NBCMI websites!

Can I find an interpreting job near me?

We don’t do job placement at ALTA, but we can tell you that medical interpreters are in demand across the United States. After you complete our 40-hour course and earn your certificate of completion, you’ll get access to our interpreter agency directory and our private Alumni Facebook group, where you can network with other graduates and learn about job opportunities.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes! You can enroll today for just $200 and you’ll get instant access. Then you’ll make 3 easy monthly payments ($150 each) that will be automatically deducted from your credit card each month.

There are no restrictions, no interest, and no extra charges. You’ll pay the same amount as if you pay in full today.

What’s the difference between a medical interpreter and a medical translator?

A medical interpreter works to actively facilitate verbal communication between a patient and a healthcare provider. As an interpreter, it’s your role to make sure that the healthcare provider and patient communicate with each other, so that the proper care can be administered.

A medical translator, on the other hand, works almost exclusively with translating written documents. It is an entirely different skill that requires a different type of training.

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