2026 Court Interpreter Training Institute (CITI)

 In six intensive weeks, you can transform your interpreting.

Since 1983, the Court Interpreter Training Institute (CITI) has trained thousands of Spanish/English court interpreters.
Now fully online, CITI grads have shown an overall average increase of +14%  on tests of their interpreting proficiency, with statistically significant improvements across all modes and at every level of experience. 

Is this your year?



  2026 CITI At-a-Glance

  Dates: May 18-June 26, 2026

  Cost: $2775
  Payment plan available!

  Application Fee: $25
  Application Deadline: May 10, 2026


"As a Spanish interpreter for over twenty years, I never took any training that came close to the CITI program. This was the most challenging and rewarding training that I have been a part of."  

~ 2021 CITI Alum

"I have just finished the intensive online Court Interpreter Training Institute. I really want to thank the Institute for such a comprehensive learning experience. I highly recommend the CITI for anyone planning to pursue the Federal Court Interpreter Certification or to gain invaluable experience as an interpreter for any court or out-of-court legal proceedings."

~ 2020 CITI Alum

"This program met all my expectations and then some, the instructors, the labs, the workshops, and the interactions were amazing. This program challenged us to be better, the instructors taught how to practice and what to focus on to use our time wisely and get results. You’ll learn new techniques for better interpreting, increase vocabulary and make connections with other interpreters.

~ 2021 CITI Alum



"I have been waiting for access to university level interpretation course for many years. It feels like fulfilling a dream. The instructors are very high level, they generously share their experience. Every day, you learn something new. You feel committed to make progress with such a team and you want to give the best of yourself. You feel uplifted."

~ 2022 CITI Alum



"CITI was more than worthwhile for me. At first, I came in thinking I was just going to leave feeling more than prepared for my second attempt at the state oral exam. What I received was so much more. All three of the main instructors left me speechless. Not only that, I felt that my colleagues were some of the most dedicated, intelligent interpreters that I have ever met. I feel inspired and grateful that I had the time, money, and passion to follow through with CITI."

~ 2023 CITI Alum

"I couldn’t have asked for more from this program! One thing I will be eternally grateful for are the new friends and colleagues I made in my group. CITI facilitated the formation of these priceless relationships. I highly recommend CITI to anyone looking to elevate and refine their court interpreting skills and knowledge."

~ 2024 CITI Alum


"I wholeheartedly recommend [the CITI]! The time invested was undoubtedly worthwhile. I expanded my knowledge significantly, learning new terminology and understanding the workings of the court system and examinations. By the end of the course, I felt a substantial improvement in my skills."

~ 2024 CITI Alum


"This is worth every penny.  It will change the way any interpreter performs."

~ 2021 CITI Alum


"I think that I have become another person over the course of these 6 weeks. Personally, I can assure you that there is a before and an after CITI."

~ 2022 CITI Alum

         

About the CITI

Intended for both aspiring and experienced interpreters, the CITI is an intensive, fully online professional development program for Spanish/English legal interpreters. It's innovative pedagogy combines live and self-paced learning to maximize its impact. 

The art and science of interpreting is complex and requires specialized training. Our federally certified and highly experienced instructors, combined with our extensive curriculum, offer a level of quality not easily matched. The CITI is committed to providing students with individual attention. The CITI program is also an ideal way to prepare for both the written and oral portions of the State or Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination (FCICE).

Below you'll find more information about the CITI, including a detailed schedule.



CITI Learning Objectives
  1. First and foremost, to improve participants' interpreting proficiency.
  2. To provide maximum time-on-task to increase the benefit gained from practice sessions and feedback from peers and instructors.
  3. To provide diagnostic testing at the start and end of each institute so that participants can see how their language and interpreting skills have improved.
Time Commitment in Brief
Online learning requires commitment and hard work (but it's worth it!)  The CITI's time commitment breaks down like this:

Weeks 1-4: 10-20 hours per week. Live webinars with federally certified instructors introduce techniques and terminology. Online exercises and peer review reinforce what you learn. This phase can be completed evenings and weekends.

Weeks 5-6: 40 hours per week. Combines intensive live simulation and practice in simultaneous interpreting, consecutive interpreting, and sight translation. You’ll be online most of the day, working directly with instructors and fellow students, so you should plan to take time off of work to fully focus on the program.

Program Structure and Schedule​
CITI is fully online, combining asynchronous and real-time instruction. As you progress, the intensity builds to sharpen your skills and prepare you for the intense real-world scenarios you’ll face day-to-day in your job. 

The 2026 CITI runs May 18 - June 26.  

May 18-23:  CITI Orientation and Diagnostic Pre-Testing
  • There is a live introductory meeting on May 18, 5-7pm Pacific Time.  Between May 19 and May 23, there will be a couple of options for taking the diagnostic pre-test in the evening.  
May 21-June 11:  A series of live webinars taught by highly experienced federally certified court interpreters to introduce techniques and terminology, coupled with online interpreting exercises and extensive peer review.  In addition, a series of pre-recorded lectures coupled with live Q&A sessions will be held (approximately 10-20 hours/week).
  • From May 21 through June 11, there are webinars scheduled for Thursdays 5-8pm Pacific Time and Saturdays 10am-1pm Pacific.  These are live, but will be recorded so you can catch up in case you have to miss one.  You’ll also have about 4+ hours/week on self-paced online exercises.  In weeks three and four, the amount of online work will increase, but you'll still be able to address it as your schedule permits. 
June 15-26:  Intensive instruction and interpreting practice with instructors and fellow students on simultaneous and consecutive interpreting and sight translation techniques and strategies (approximately 40 hours/week).
  • From June 15-26, CITI gets much more intensive, requiring about 40 hours/week of work.  M-F, you should expect to be online most of the day (with scheduled breaks) for live work, which will be combined with additional online work to be completed on your schedule.  The lab work you'll do during this time will not be recorded; you need to attend it live.  


Eligibility and Application Process
The CITI is open to both aspiring and experienced court interpreters.  Applicants must provide the following three documents to ensure that they possess a sufficient level of bilingualism and experience to benefit from the CITI:

  1. Letter of Interest
    Applicants must submit a letter of interest indicating why they want to attend the CITI.  The letter should also describe how you acquired your bilingualism and what kind of experience you have had with interpreting or translating.
  2. Résumé
    Applicants must submit a current résumé.  Your résumé should highlight your language experience and any interpreting or translating credentials earned.
  3. Letter of Recommendation OR Other Supporting Document
    Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a current employer, volunteer coordinator, recent educator, or other professional with knowledge of the applicants’ interpreting/translation experience or ability. The letter should include a description of the applicants’ bilingual skills in a professional context.  This requirement may also be met by submitting a copy of a relevant degree or certificate, an interpreting or translation certification, a results letter from a certification test, or a similar document.  Please contact us to discuss options if you'd like! nci@nationalcenterforinterpretation.com
Cost and Payment Process
There is a nonrefundable $25 application fee payable when you apply.  

Upon acceptance to the CITI, You'll receive a link to pay a "Save My Seat" deposit (which counts towards your overall registration fee) of $175, due within one week of your acceptance.  This secures your spot in the 2026 CITI.

Once you've paid your deposit, you'll receive a link to pay the balance of your registration fee, which comes to $2600.  

You'll have two options to pay your balance:

  1.  Pay your balance in full by May 15 (prior to the start of the CITI on May 18)  -OR-
  2. Pay your balance in five monthly installments.  Please note that these payments will be charged automatically to you.  If you do not make your payments on schedule, you will be dropped from the program.  You will receive your CITI Certificate of Completion once your account is paid in full.
Technical Requirements
  • A quiet place to work with a good internet connection
  • Laptop or desktop with webcam (do not rely on a tablet or cell phone)
  • Headset/earbuds that include a microphone (do not rely on built-in mic and speakers)
  • A device to record audio/video (an app on your phone works just fine)
...and a commitment to putting in the work!