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​Interesting Facts About the
​Interpreter Industry


Access Multilingual Services, Inc. believes that transparency is the best approach to maintain the integrity of our company and reputation. Therefore, we do not hesitate to unveil underlying realities of our industry.


1. There are different levels of certification for any given language. Agencies often utilize a contractor with inferior certifications to increase profit margins or to offer competitive rates.


2. Even though some agencies including Access Multilingual Services, Inc. have in-house interpreters, it is simply impossible for any agency to have the interpreters of any given language be available to cover an assignment at any given location, and at any given time. Therefore, all agencies solicit the services of the same limited pool of interpreters. The difference you receive from various agencies is dependent on a few factors: a) how closely an agency monitors job performance and accountability; b) how well the agency treats its affiliated interpreters so that the best interpreters would prefer to work with them; and c) how quickly an agency can send a replacement interpreter to cover rush last minute assignments.

3. When interpreters are reserved for your assignment, their time is booked exclusively to serve you. If you should cancel their services within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment time, the interpreters will charge a late cancellation fee. This means you, the client, will then be charged this late cancellation fee accordingly.   


4. Professional interpreters are booked ahead of time and prefer to only work with agencies that understand the business and are willing to cover potential losses associated with their line of work, such as late cancellations. This means that only working with a reputable agency will ensure that good service is received. 


5. Mistakes happen. In the interpreting arena, mistakes are generally due to an oversight when inaccurate or incomplete information is shared.  An efficient agency has a system in place that reduces miscommunications as much as possible with follow-up courtesy inquiries designed to ensure that the client receives precisely what they requested. 


6. A certified interpreter has passed a valid and reliable certification exam administered by an independent entity such as the National Center for State Courts.  Individuals who complete certificate programs in interpreting may be qualified, but they are not certified. Interpreters providing services in the state courts are generally required to be certified or qualified by their state’s Administrative Office of the Courts. There are languages that do not have court certification status, such as Lao and Hmong. Many languages are only registered by the courts, while others are simply court-qualified, or experienced. According to California State Code, Article 4 Court Interpreter Services: 68561, if there is no court-certified interpreter available, a qualified interpreter may perform the services. A court may for good cause appoint an interpreter for a language designated by the Judicial Council who does not hold a court interpreter certificate. The judge shall enter into the record that a certified or registered interpreter is not available, along with the name of the qualified interpreter.

Certified Interpreters and Translators -  Nationwide - All Languages

Call us at 800-919-2029

​​​​​(800) 919-2029

info@accessmultilingual.com​scheduling@accessmultilingual.com