🗣️ Interpreter License Requirements by State

Compare interpreter license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 19 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level interpreter license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $300–$300. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Not Required	—	—	$49,668
AKAlaska	Not Required	—	—	$70,791
AZArizona	Not Required	—	—	$55,377
ARArkansas	Not Required	—	—	$47,955
CACalifornia	Required	—	$300	$78,784
COColorado	Required	—	$300	$61,657
CTConnecticut	Not Required	—	—	$65,653
DEDelaware	Not Required	—	—	$57,090
DCDistrict of Columbia	Not Required	—	—	$73,075
FLFlorida	Required	—	$300	$54,806
GAGeorgia	Not Required	—	—	$53,093
HIHawaii	Not Required	—	—	$77,071
IDIdaho	Not Required	—	—	$53,664
ILIllinois	Required	—	$300	$59,944
INIndiana	Required	—	$300	$51,951
IAIowa	Required	—	$300	$50,810
KSKansas	Not Required	—	—	$50,810
KYKentucky	Not Required	—	—	$50,810
LALouisiana	Not Required	—	—	$51,381
MEMaine	Not Required	—	—	$55,377
MDMaryland	Required	—	$300	$62,228
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$300	$69,649
MIMichigan	Not Required	—	—	$53,664
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$300	$59,373
MSMississippi	Not Required	—	—	$47,384
MOMissouri	Not Required	—	—	$51,381
MTMontana	Not Required	—	—	$54,806
NENebraska	Not Required	—	—	$51,381
NVNevada	Not Required	—	—	$58,231
NHNew Hampshire	Not Required	—	—	$59,373
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$300	$67,366
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$300	$51,951
NYNew York	Required	—	$300	$74,217
NCNorth Carolina	Not Required	—	—	$52,522
NDNorth Dakota	Not Required	—	—	$54,235
OHOhio	Required	—	$300	$52,522
OKOklahoma	Not Required	—	—	$49,668
OROregon	Required	—	$300	$62,799
PAPennsylvania	Not Required	—	—	$55,948
RIRhode Island	Not Required	—	—	$58,802
SCSouth Carolina	Not Required	—	—	$51,951
SDSouth Dakota	Not Required	—	—	$50,239
TNTennessee	Required	—	$300	$51,381
TXTexas	Required	—	$300	$53,664
UTUtah	Required	—	$300	$55,377
VTVermont	Not Required	—	—	$57,660
VAVirginia	Required	—	$300	$58,231
WAWashington	Required	—	$300	$67,366
WVWest Virginia	Not Required	—	—	$49,097
WIWisconsin	Not Required	—	—	$53,664
WYWyoming	Not Required	—	—	$54,235

Common questions about interpreter licensing

Do all states require a interpreter license?

No — 19 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level interpreter license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a interpreter license?

Application fees across the states range $300–$300. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a interpreter license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.