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Interpreter and translator training in California

14 interpreter and translator programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

8 schools offer these interpreter programs, and California has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Interpreters work in spoken or sign language and translators in written language; medical interpreters help patients talk with doctors and nurses, and court interpreters work in courts. Most have a bachelor's degree and must be fluent in English and at least one other language. Certification is usually optional, but most states require it for court interpreters.1

In California, 7 of the 14 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent and 7 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 14 programs here are translator or interpreter certificate (general, 6 programs), medical interpreter course (5 programs) and court and legal interpreter course (3 programs).

See the 14 programs

How much does interpreter training cost in California?

$2,023 to $4,026 is what most interpreter and translator programs in California cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 14 programs with a price. All of them: $984 to $5,734

In the typical program

Finished the program
99%
Working 6 months later
55%
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
36 to 42 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in California may also offer interpreter training. How these figures are made

Is there free interpreter training in California?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 14 interpreter and translator programs in California approved for WIOA funding

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14 programs

  • Translator or interpreter certificate (general)OnlineEducation and courses

    Spanish/English Interpretation

    SF State, College of Professional & Global Education

    Based in San Francisco, CA

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    SF State, College of Professional & Global Education, based in San Francisco, CATranslator or interpreter certificate (general) · Accredited schoolOnline · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,600
    School website, Spanish/English Interpretation at SF State, College of Professional & Global Education
    More details about Spanish/English Interpretation at SF State, College of Professional & Global Education
    Finished
    21%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $50
    Students counted
    176
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,600
    School website, Spanish/English Interpretation at SF State, College of Professional & Global Education

  • Court and legal interpreter courseOnlineEducation and courses

    Certificate in Legal Interpretation and Translation, Spanish/English (Online)

    UCLA Extension

    Based in Los Angeles, CA

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    UCLA Extension, based in Los Angeles, CACourt and legal interpreter course · Accredited schoolOnline · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,734
    School website, Certificate in Legal Interpretation and Translation, Spanish/English (Online) at UCLA Extension
    More details about Certificate in Legal Interpretation and Translation, Spanish/English (Online) at UCLA Extension
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    55%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    40 weeks, 7 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $240
    Students counted
    82
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,734
    School website, Certificate in Legal Interpretation and Translation, Spanish/English (Online) at UCLA Extension

  • Translator or interpreter certificate (general)OnlineEducation and courses

    Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English)-Online

    UCSD Division of Extended Studies

    Based in La Jolla, CA

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    UCSD Division of Extended Studies, based in La Jolla, CATranslator or interpreter certificate (general) · Accredited schoolOnline · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$51,000
    Price if you pay yourself$5,100

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English)-Online at UCSD Division of Extended Studies
    More details about Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English)-Online at UCSD Division of Extended Studies
    Finished
    93%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,758
    Length
    45 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $845
    Students counted
    72
    Earned a year, estimated
    $51,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,100
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    Program website, Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English)-Online at UCSD Division of Extended Studies

  • Medical interpreter courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Healthcare Interpreter

    California State University San Marcos Extended Learning

    San Marcos

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    California State University San Marcos Extended Learning, San MarcosMedical interpreter course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,699

    4 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Healthcare Interpreter at California State University San Marcos Extended Learning
    More details about Healthcare Interpreter at California State University San Marcos Extended Learning
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    19%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    14 weeks, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $348
    Students counted
    60
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,699
    students trained with WIOA funding
    4
    Program website, Healthcare Interpreter at California State University San Marcos Extended Learning

  • Translator or interpreter certificate (general)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Translation (Spanish/English)-Online

    UCSD Division of Extended Studies

    Based in La Jolla, CA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    UCSD Division of Extended Studies, based in La Jolla, CATranslator or interpreter certificate (general) · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,300
    Program website, Translation (Spanish/English)-Online at UCSD Division of Extended Studies
    More details about Translation (Spanish/English)-Online at UCSD Division of Extended Studies
    Finished
    97%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 11 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $595
    Students counted
    54
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,300
    Program website, Translation (Spanish/English)-Online at UCSD Division of Extended Studies

  • Court and legal interpreter courseOnlineEducation and courses

    Certificate in Legal Interpretation and Translation, Chinese/English (Online)

    UCLA Extension

    Based in Los Angeles, CA

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    UCLA Extension, based in Los Angeles, CACourt and legal interpreter course · Accredited schoolOnline · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,554
    School website, Certificate in Legal Interpretation and Translation, Chinese/English (Online) at UCLA Extension
    More details about Certificate in Legal Interpretation and Translation, Chinese/English (Online) at UCLA Extension
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    40 weeks, 7 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $265
    Students counted
    52
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,554
    School website, Certificate in Legal Interpretation and Translation, Chinese/English (Online) at UCLA Extension

  • Medical interpreter courseOnlineEducation and courses

    Medical Interpreter Program - ONLINE

    FUHSD Adult School

    Based in Sunnyvale, CA

    Education and courses

    FUHSD Adult School, based in Sunnyvale, CAMedical interpreter courseOnline · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedLeft out
    Price if you pay yourself$1,195
    Program website, Medical Interpreter Program - ONLINE at FUHSD Adult School
    More details about Medical Interpreter Program - ONLINE at FUHSD Adult School
    Finished
    95%
    Working at 6 months
    36%
    Earned in a quarter
    Left out
    Length
    30 weeks, 5 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $150
    Students counted
    42
    Earned a year, estimated
    Left out
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,195
    Program website, Medical Interpreter Program - ONLINE at FUHSD Adult School

  • Translator or interpreter certificate (general)OnlineEducation and courses

    Professional Certificate in Interpretation and Translation (English/Spanish)

    UCR University Extension

    Based in Riverside, CA

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    UCR University Extension, based in Riverside, CATranslator or interpreter certificate (general) · Accredited schoolOnline · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,820
    Program website, Professional Certificate in Interpretation and Translation (English/Spanish) at UCR University Extension
    More details about Professional Certificate in Interpretation and Translation (English/Spanish) at UCR University Extension
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    43 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $325
    Students counted
    18
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,820
    Program website, Professional Certificate in Interpretation and Translation (English/Spanish) at UCR University Extension

  • Translator or interpreter certificate (general)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Community Interpreter

    California State University San Marcos Extended Learning

    Based in San Marcos, CA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    California State University San Marcos Extended Learning, based in San Marcos, CATranslator or interpreter certificate (general) · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,699
    Program website, Community Interpreter at California State University San Marcos Extended Learning
    More details about Community Interpreter at California State University San Marcos Extended Learning
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    14 weeks, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $288
    Students counted
    14
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,699
    Program website, Community Interpreter at California State University San Marcos Extended Learning

  • Medical interpreter courseOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Medical Interpreter (Spanish/English) (GES 165)

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

    Based in Los Angeles, CA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension, based in Los Angeles, CAMedical interpreter course · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$34,200
    Price if you pay yourself$2,995

    11 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Medical Interpreter (Spanish/English) (GES 165) at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    More details about Medical Interpreter (Spanish/English) (GES 165) at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    Finished
    35%
    Working at 6 months
    56%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,558
    Length
    39 weeks, 5 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $150
    Students counted
    12
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,995
    students trained with WIOA funding
    11
    Program website, Medical Interpreter (Spanish/English) (GES 165) at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

  • Medical interpreter courseIn personEducation and courses

    Healthcare Interpreter Certificate of Achievement

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoMedical interpreter course · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$984
    More details about Healthcare Interpreter Certificate of Achievement at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $100
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $984

  • Court and legal interpreter courseOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Federal Court Interpreter Online

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

    Based in Los Angeles, CA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension, based in Los Angeles, CACourt and legal interpreter course · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,995
    Program website, Federal Court Interpreter Online at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    More details about Federal Court Interpreter Online at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    39 weeks, 5 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $150
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,995
    Program website, Federal Court Interpreter Online at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

  • Translator or interpreter certificate (general)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Professional Translator

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

    Based in Los Angeles, CA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension, based in Los Angeles, CATranslator or interpreter certificate (general) · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,995
    School website, Professional Translator at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    More details about Professional Translator at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    39 weeks, 3 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $150
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,995
    School website, Professional Translator at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

  • Medical interpreter courseOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Advanced Medical Interpreter (GES 1007)

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

    Based in Los Angeles, CA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension, based in Los Angeles, CAMedical interpreter course · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,095
    School website, Advanced Medical Interpreter (GES 1007) at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    More details about Advanced Medical Interpreter (GES 1007) at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $150
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,095
    School website, Advanced Medical Interpreter (GES 1007) at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

How to pay for interpreter training in California

WIOA funding can pay for interpreter training in California

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for interpreter training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for interpreter training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Interpreter and translator training in California

programs with a price cost under $2,000
4 of 14
interpreter and translator programs of any state: no state has more than California
Most

State comparisons use the same figures as the interpreter training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Interpreter and translator training in San Diego, San Francisco and other California cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 12 programs are online.

Other training in California

How interpreter training compares with the rest of business and office work: Business and office training in California

Where the California interpreter program numbers come from

Which California interpreter programs are on this list?

These are the interpreter programs California approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what California offers.

How the prices and results of California interpreter programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about interpreter training in California

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Interpreters and Translators
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List