BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES, AND HOUSING AGENCY • GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR
BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING
PO Box 944210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
P (916) 322-3350 F (916) 574-8637 | www.rn.ca.gov
Translation of International Academic Credentials
For the Board to fairly evaluate compliance with California requirements, any applicant with non-English,
non-U.S. academic credentials must provide both 1) original, certified transcripts and 2) certified
translations of those original transcripts and academic documents. Original language transcripts must
be forwarded directly from the school of nursing and sent directly to the Board (photocopies are
not accepted). When requesting official transcripts and academic documents, an applicant whose
education was completed at an institution in a bilingual country where English is one of the official
languages, may be able to avoid the necessity of arranging for a translation by asking the school to
generate an English language version of the transcript. Please note that in this instance, the original
language transcript must accompany the English translation and be forwarded directly to the Board.
Applicants must have their transcripts translated by an independent, professional translator who is not
related to the applicant. Each translator must provide an original declaration with each translation
attesting to his/her fluency in the particular language and certifying under penalty of perjury that the
translation is complete and accurate to the best of the translator’s ability and knowledge. (See attached
form.) The Board refers applicants with non-English academic credentials to one of the following
sources for translation:
1. Translator accredited by the American Translators Association (ATA): The ATA accredits
individual translators by examination. Although accreditation is available only to individuals, ATA
membership includes not only individuals but also companies that employ accredited translators.
An accredited translator must sign the translation and declaration in the presence of a Notary
Public, unless the translation is a service provided by a known translation agency which affixes
the document with its own official seal. ATA membership includes accredited translators residing
in the US, Canada, Mexico, and overseas. Although the ATA does not make referrals, a listing of
accredited translators and member companies is available through its web site at
www.atanet.org. The ATA may be reached by phone at 703-683-6100 or by e-mail at
2. Certified or registered court interpreter: Some state court systems offer examinations for
certification or registration of court interpreters. In California, the Judicial Council is charged with
these functions. Information on court interpreters is available through the Judicial Council at 415-
865-7530. General information is available via its web site, www.courtinfo.ca.gov. The Judicial
Council has contracted with Cooperative Personnel Services (CPS) for examination and
certification of Certified Administrative Hearing and Medical Interpreters. A master list of these
interpreters is available at the CPS web site, www.cps.ca.gov, or telephone at 916-263-3600.
The court interpreter must sign the translation and declaration in the presence of a Notary Public.
Applicants residing outside California but within the United States may call the National Center for
State Courts at 757-259-1517 for information on certification and registration of interpreters in
other states.
Applicants who present documents in a language for which accredited translators or certified/registered
court interpreters are not readily available may require special assistance. The usual next step is to
inquire at the nearest consulate representing the nation in which the documents originated.
(Rev 1/19)