New to translation
Bilingual? Build a translation practice on a published standard
IBCOT admits bilingual professionals with a connection to translation, interpreting, language services, or legal support as Associate Members. Membership includes optional training on the published standard; the certification examination is a separate purchase ($195 per attempt).
Who this is for
- Working adults with a second language who translate official documents, or want to, and want a published standard to work to.
- Recent graduates with language studies or bilingual community, volunteer, or legal-support experience.
- Retirees and career changers who translate official documents for families, communities and organizations.
Associate Member, then Professional Member
New-to-translation applicants are admitted as Associate Members: the same dues, the same training and the same examination, without a directory listing. You become a Professional Member by passing the Core section of the certification examination or through an experience review approved by IBCOT staff. Completing training never changes your grade.
The included, optional training program
The IBCOT Official Document Translation Training Program is included in dues: about 10–15 hours, self-paced, on the standards for immigration and official-document translation. It is member education and is never required for the examination. Completing it earns a Certificate of Completion, which is not a credential and does not indicate examination passage.
The path
Three steps to the credential
Professional Member
Admitted after review. Bound by the Code of Ethics. Listed in the directory.
Trained
Optional. The included IBCOT Official Document Translation Training Program, about 10–15 hours, self-paced. It is member education, never a requirement for the examination.
Certified
Pass the IBCOT certification examination and earn the CODT credential, verifiable by anyone at ibcot.org/verify.
Membership, training completion and certification are separate statuses. Only the examination confers the credential.
Dues
One membership. Everything on the path to certification.
$395per year, the same at every renewal
The certification examination is a separate, optional purchase: $195 for one attempt; retakes $129.
- Get found by clients. A directory profile, ranked by published rules, never by payment. (Professional Members)
- Learn the standards. The IBCOT Official Document Translation Training Program, about 10–15 hours, self-paced, included.
- Show your standing. Member ID, member card and member badge.
- Practice resources, AI and technology education, and the Partner Marketplace.
Admission in three steps
Apply
A short application and one piece of evidence for your pathway.
Reviewed by people
Applications are reviewed by people, typically within one business day.
Begin
On approval, dues are charged and your membership, orientation and training open.
Questions
I'm bilingual but haven't translated professionally. Can I join?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for the new-to-translation pathway. You are admitted as an Associate Member: the same dues, the included training program and access to the certification examination (a separate purchase), without a directory listing until you become a Professional Member by passing the Core section or through an approved experience review.
Does membership make me a certified translator?
No. Professional Membership is admitted after an eligibility review and a successful dues charge. The IBCOT Certified Official Document Translator credential is a separate status, earned only by passing the IBCOT certification examination while a member in good standing.
Is the training program a course I buy?
No. The IBCOT Official Document Translation Training Program is included in annual dues for every active member and is never sold through a public checkout. Completing it earns a Certificate of Completion, which is not a credential and does not indicate examination passage.
Does IBCOT test my language fluency?
No. Languages are member-declared, and every public display of a member’s languages says so. IBCOT reviews eligibility and teaches standards; it does not test general language fluency.
Membership
Apply for membership
Applications are reviewed by people. A payment method is saved with your application and charged only if you're approved.