Free Practice Questions for Court Interpreter Written Exam (NCSC/BEI)

The written exam is developed by the National Center for State Courts and used by many states' court interpreter certification programs; NCSC does not publish an exact state count, and each state decides certification on its own. Texas administers it through the Judicial Branch Certification Commission for spoken-language interpreters and uses it on the BEI court interpreter written-prerequisite route. Because state programs administer it, confirm registration, fees, and policies with your specific state court administrator.

This practice bank covers the written knowledge exam only. The written exam is a closed-book multiple-choice test of 135 questions covering English proficiency, legal terminology, court procedure, and interpreter ethics. The oral/performance test, which assesses consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, and sight translation, is a separate, non-multiple-choice exam and is not covered here.

There is no single national cut score; each state sets its own standard. Texas requires 108 of 135 correct (80%). Florida requires at least 75% on each part plus 80% overall — 57 of 75 on Part I and 45 of 60 on Part II. The official exam contains 135 multiple-choice questions administered in 2 hours and 15 minutes. This practice bank uses 215 selected-response items so you can drill the same knowledge areas; aim well above 80% in practice to build a margin before the real test.

BEI Court Interpreter Certification is the Texas HHSC credential for American Sign Language interpreters. Candidates must already hold a BEI Level III, IV, or V, an Intermediary level, Advanced, Master, or Oral: Comprehensive certificate, or a listed RID certification, and must pass the written knowledge test proctored by the Office of Court Administration before the court performance test. Spoken-language interpreters in Texas instead register for the written exam through the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. Because participating state programs share the NCSC-developed written exam, preparation transfers across states.

Yes. The written exam is a closed-book, multiple-choice knowledge test. You cannot use dictionaries or reference materials, so vocabulary, legal terminology, court procedure, and the Code of Professional Responsibility must be learned in advance rather than looked up during the test.

As of August 2026, the written exam is still the NCSC-developed closed-book multiple-choice knowledge test used by many state programs and on the Texas BEI written-prerequisite route, with 135 questions and a 2 hour 15 minute limit. Passing standards, fees, and scheduling are set at the state level and can change, so confirm exam logistics with your state court administrator.