FAQ - NAATI certification for interpreters

Below you will find the answers to frequently asked questions regarding the requirement for interpreters working for NZ government agencies to be NAATI-certified as of 1 July 2024. Use this help guide to upload your entitlement note and book a workshop. Click here to see how to subscribe for notifications about upcoming workshops.

March 2024: Download the latest update from MBIE for interpreters seeking NAATI certification, with specific information for those needing to sit the NAATI test after 1 July 2024.

December 2023: Download the latest update from MBIE for interpreters seeking NAATI certification.

Important dates:

What happens if I haven’t completed my course or passed my test by 1 July 2024?

All entitlement notes issued before 30 June 2024 will be honoured by MBIE. Registrations for support closed on 31 January to give MBIE time to process registrations and enable you to enrol for courses and tests. The deadline for obtaining your credential has been extended through to 30 June 2025.

Can I still work in the public sector if I haven’t got my credential by 1 July 2024?

If you are continuing to work towards your credential you will be designated as an 'Interpreter WTN' (Working towards NAATI) until you achieve your credential. You must have finished your course and applied for your credential by 30 June 2025. The first choice for assignments from 1 July 2024 will be NAATI credentialed interpreters - Certified Interpreter (CI), Certified Provisional Interpreter (CPI) and/or Recognised Practising Interpreter (RPI). If no credentialed interpreter is available then an Interpreter WTN will be offered the assignment. 

What happens if I fail my NAATI test?

You can send MBIE an email asking for a second test as long as you do so before 30 June 2024. Please attach the results of your failed test. In most cases a second attempt will be funded. No second tests will be available after 30 June 2024. You may like to fund the 2nd test yourself. Simply apply directly to NAATI after this date.

What is MBIE's compulsory module?

MBIE has now launched its compulsory module “Interpreting in Aotearoa New Zealand: The Public Sector Context”. This was previously called the ‘induction module’ and must be completed by all interpreters intending to work in the New  Zealand Public Sector from 1 July 2024. The full announcement  is now available to view on our website.

Do I have to do MBIE's compulsory module before I sit the NAATI test?

No. You are free to do it either before or after sitting the NAATI test; it is not a prerequisite for sitting NAATI. However, you must complete it by 1 July 2024, and hold NAATI certification (RPI, CPI or CI), in order to continue working in the NZ public sector (or by 1 July 2025 for those still working towards NAATI.

Who needs to hold NAATI certification?

From 1 July 2025, all interpreters in New Zealand wanting to work for government agencies (either directly or through language service providers) must hold NAATI certification (RPI, CPI or CI).

Which government agencies will require interpreters to hold NAATI certification?

All government agencies are affected by the new requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, the Ministry of Health (including DHBs), Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education (i.e. schools) and Immigration.

Is it just for face-to-face interpreting?

No, NAATI certification will be required of ALL interpreters providing their services to a government agency in-person or remotely. This includes phone interpreters.

How do I get support from MBIE to achieve NAATI certification?

Registrations for support from MBIE have now closed. If you already hold an entitlement note, the support you can receive from MBIE is stated on that note.

I have an entitlement note. How can I register for NZSTI workshops and CPD for free?

NZSTI is running test preparation workshops and CPD to support interpreters wanting to achieve a NAATI certification. Priority will be given to entitlement note holders. These events will be clearly marked and will show a price for entitlement note holders of $0. To access that price, you need to create or log into your NZSTI account, upload your entitlement note (pdf) and enter your NAATI application reference number (e.g. APP1234). That number enables us to check if you are eligible to sit your test or need to complete a qualification first. If NAATI has confirmed you are eligible to sit your test, you can register for NZSTI NAATI test preparation workshops and other related workshops free of charge. Download this guide to see how to create an account, upload your entitlement note, enter your NAATI application number and register for a workshop or PD event.

When can I enrol for an NZSTI-run NAATI test preparation workshop?

Once NAATI have confirmed you are eligible to sit the test, you can enrol for a test preparation workshop run by NZSTI. Make sure you have uploaded your entitlement note to your NZSTI account and added your NAATI application number.

How can I get notified about NZSTI-run NAATI test preparation workshops?

Once a workshop becomes available, we email everyone with an NZSTI account who has selected the Professional Development email subscription. If you want to receive these notifications, go into your account and tick the relevant box. Click here for instructions.

What is NAATI's Ethical Competency test? Do I need to sit it before I can book my NAATI test date?

If you are applying to NAATI to gain a certification for the first time, you may need to pass both the Intercultural Competency and Ethical Competency tests before you become eligible to sit a certification test.

You do not need to apply separately to sit an Ethical Competency test. When you apply to sit the NAATI test, NAATI will make a determination and will advise you whether you need to sit the Ethical Competency and/or Intercultural Competency tests. If you have completed an Endorsed Qualification within the last 3 years, you will not need to sit this test as this content was covered in your tertiary course.

If NAATI advises that you need to sit the Intercultural and/or Ethical Competency tests, you must pass them before NAATI will allocate you a test date for your NAATI certification (CI, CPI, etc.). Once you have that test date, you may register for an NZSTI-run NAATI test preparation workshop. Note that the cost of sitting the Intercultural and/or Ethical Competency tests is covered by your MBIE entitlement note.

Do I have to do a test preparation workshop run by NZSTI?

No, they are optional but strongly recommended in order to help you pass the NAATI test. The workshops cover the key skills that will be tested and give you insights into what the test will be like.

What is RPI, CPI and CI?

RPI stands for Recognised Practising Interpreter. This certification is granted for languages where no NAATI test is currently available.CPI stands for Certified Provisional Interpreter. The CPI test involves consecutive interpreting. CI stands for Certified Interpreter. The CI test involves sight translation and monologues (consecutive and simultaneous interpreting).

My entitlement note says I can sit the CPI test. Can I attend a CI test preparation workshop?

No. If you are sitting the CPI test, you can only enrol for the CPI test preparation workshop. However, if your entitlement note says you can sit the CI test, you may now register for the CPI and the CI workshops, following NAATI's changes to its CI testing system.
If you are only eligible for the RPI certification, you cannot attend the test preparation workshops as NAATI does not offer a test for RPI certification.

My entitlement note says I can sit the CI test. Can I attend a CPI test preparation workshop?

Yes. NAATI is changing the CI test process so MBIE has agreed to fund both the CPI and the CI workshops if you are eligible to sit the NAATI CI test.

What are the changes NAATI is making to its CI test process?

In 2023 NAATI changed the CI test process so that you must first sit and pass the CPI test, then to achieve CI certification you must sit further test modules (meaning you do not repeat the CPI test module in the CI test anymore). This means that if your MBIE entitlement note says you can sit the CI test, you may now register for the CPI and the CI workshops.

Why can't I see any CI workshops scheduled?

Due to lower numbers of NAATI CI applicants, NZSTI is only running CI workshops approximately once every three months. If you have a test coming up before the next displayed workshop, please email us at info@nzsti.org to check if there will be any workshops before your test date.

Will NAATI be testing in NZ and when will tests be available?

NAATI is currently only testing NZ interpreters online. Visit the NAATI website for full details.

Will NAATI tests have an Australian or a NZ focus?

NAATI tests for NZ interpreters will be those used for all applicants outside Australia, meaning that you do not need to be familiar with Australian processes and culture. They will not include NZ-specific details.

I have sat and passed the CPI test, and want to sit the CI test now. Will MBIE fund that?

There may be funding available for those holding CPI to go on to sit CI. Please contact MBIE directly as you will require a new entitlement note.

I have sat and passed a NAATI test and now hold NAATI CPI or CI certification. Can I upgrade my NZSTI membership?

NAATI CPI certification gives you eligibility to apply for NZSTI Affiliate and CI certification for NZSTI Full Member, in the language pair tested by NAATI. Head to the Membership Upgrade page for information on upgrading your membership.

What are NAATI recertification points?

Recertification is the process by which translators and interpreters with NAATI certification demonstrate that they remain active and committed to the translation and interpreting industry at regular intervals. Before the expiry date of their NAATI certification, practitioners are required to provide evidence of continuing work practice and professional development to recertify the certification for a further three years. Points are allocated to different types of development. Click here for the professional development catalogue listing the CPD options for obtaining recertification points.

Where can I find guidelines about video and telephone interpreting?

AUSIT has guidelines about telephone and video interpreting protocols available on its website:

https://ausit.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AUSIT_Telephone_Interpreting_Protocols.pdf

http://ausit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Recommended_RVI_Protocols.pdf