Establishment, maintenance and development of a national register

Once public service interpreters (PSIs) are trained and assessed, they need a practical professional focus. A national register has obvious advantages for setting professional standards, making accredited PSI skills more easily accessible and making available the widest possible range of language combinations countrywide. Traditionally, linguists have not been a regulated profession but a number of countries are in the process of developing this approach, particularly in the public service context. The main requirements and procedures discussed are:

– Selection Criteria – at different levels

– Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures

– Secure access to the register – and by whom

– Financial basis and budgets

– Administration of registration and annual-registration

– Liaison with public services, interpreters and government bodies