Colorado Language Connection

Certificates & Continuing Education

Bridging the Gap training teaches foundational skills and specialized information to become a professional medical interpreter.

 

40- and 64-hour courses qualify as prerequisites for the national certifications provided by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) and the Certification Commission for Health Care Interpreters (CCHI).

 

Continuing Education Units are available for Certified Medical Interpreters who take the 24-Hour Mental Health Interpreter Training:

• Earn 20 Continuing Education (CE) hours from the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI). 

• Earn 2.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA).

 

Participants must complete the Bridging the Gap 40-hour course or another 40-hour interpreting course approved by CCHCP before enrolling in the 24-Hour Mental Health Interpreter Training.

 

What You’ll Learn in Bridging the Gap Interpreter Training

• Basic interpreting skills.

• Codes of ethics.

• Integrated medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.

• Information on health care systems.

• Culture in interpreting.

• Communication skills for advocacy.

• Professional development.

• Interpreting in mental health. (24-hour Mental Health Interpreter Training Only)

 

Enrollment Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be able to attend all hours of training.

• Be 18 years of age or older.

• Have a high school diploma, GED certificate, or university/college degree. (This will also count as proof of proficiency in the language spoken at the institution you have a degree from.)

• Have or obtain proof of language proficiency in English and one other language that you will be interpreting in. Please refer to the application form for a list of acceptable documents.​

• Submit the online training application.

  • If you do not have proof of language proficiency, please upload a copy of your school diploma. This will help determine which language needs to be assessed.

  • You may skip the field requesting proof of proficiency in another spoken language.

 

Proof of Language Proficiency

If you don’t have proof of language proficiency, you will need to take a language assessment. The assessment is scored on a scale of 1-12, and a 9 or higher is required as admission into this course. The language assessment costs $75 per language and is non-refundable. We require payment in advance before scheduling for the assessment.

 

Important Notes:

• Proof of language proficiency in English and any other spoken language(s) is required prior to enrollment in the program.

• Please do not submit payment for the course tuition until language proficiency has been verified. 

• Participants interested in attending online training must reside in Colorado, Nebraska, or Oregon

• Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made by participants less than seven business days before the class start date.