The Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators (TAHIT) is a 501c6 not for profit interpreter and translator association that was formed to address the inconsistency in qualifications for professional interpreters in the state of Texas. Since our inception, TAHIT has been working to achieve standard qualifications for healthcare interpreters and translators to ensure accurate transmission of vital medical information and provision of excellent healthcare to all regardless of their ability to speak English.

On June 19th, 2009, Governor Rick Perry signed into law House Bill 233 which establishes an Advisory Committee to recommend qualifications for health care interpreters and translators working in Texas. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is currently selecting the members of the Advisory Committee. It is the mission of this committee to establish the appropriate qualifications for healthcare interpreters and translators working within the State of Texas. There is no mandate for state certification at this time.

TAHIT is aware and has stayed informed of the national initiatives that have been launched to offer a certification program for healthcare interpreters in the United States. As an organization, TAHIT applauds all efforts towards a consistent quality control mechanism for healthcare interpreters and translators. TAHIT’s mission is to achieve uniform qualifications for Healthcare Interpreters and Translators working within the State of Texas. As such we believe our role in the National discussion surrounding certification is to continue serving our membership and the Texas healthcare community as a neutral resource and clearinghouse of information that offers clarification on national and statewide initiatives and their potential impact on Texas healthcare interpreters and translators.

Once the Texas Advisory Committee on Healthcare Interpreters and Translator Qualifications has been established, TAHIT will work with the committee to provide the necessary information to facilitate informed decisions about the qualifications of healthcare interpreters and translators working within the State.

As in many professions, we understand that there can be several sources of certification for a profession and that, ultimately, the organizations that prevail are those which have a valid and reliable certification tool that is accepted by the stakeholders they serve.

The Board of TAHIT looks forward to continuing its mission and serving all stakeholders of language access in healthcare for the State of Texas. 

PLEASE NOTE: Any and all statements made by TAHIT board members, committee members and individual or organizational members are the sole opinion of those individuals and do not represent the opinion(s) of the organization at large. Regardless of individual affiliations, TAHIT, as an organization, maintains it's position of neutrality. 

Current Certification Efforts

CCHI

The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI), “an independent certification agency and 501(c)(6) organization, is formed by healthcare professionals, interpreters and stakeholders to develop and direct a comprehensive certification program for healthcare interpreters.”

For more information about CCHI, click here.

NBCMI

The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI), jointly founded by the International Medical Interpreters Association and Language Line® University, "will be a 501c3 non-profit organization, formed from an independent group of industry professionals that represent all stakeholder groups including professional medical interpreters, trainers, employers, and regulators."

For more information about NBCMI, click here.