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Recertification is the process by which translators and interpreters with NAATI certification demonstrate that they remain active and committed to the translation and interpreting industry at regular intervals.

Before the expiry date, practitioners are required to provide evidence of continuing work practice and professional development to recertify the certification for a further three years.


In order to be recertified, you will need to demonstrate you have achieved:

Work Practice Criteria

  • For translating certifications: an average of 10 000 words per year (30 000 words over 3 years)
  • For interpreting certifications: an average of 40 assignments or hours per year (120 assignments over 3 years)
  • If you hold more than one NAATI certification (eg. you’re a translator and interpreter), you are expected to provide evidence of work practice for each certification separately.

Professional Development Criteria

  • At least 120 points over 3 years no matter how many certifications you hold (an average of 40 professional development points per year)
  • The minimum points requirements in the compulsory categories of skills development (30 points over 3 years), industry-specific participation (30 points over 3 years) and maintenance of language (30 points over 3 years)


Submitted evidence must be dated within your certification period.


I Don’t Meet The Criteria Or I Need Special Consideration

You should still lodge an application with as much detail as possible about the work practice and professional development you completed during the three-year recertification cycle.

Consideration will also be given on a case-by-case basis if:

  • The demand for translating or interpreting services in your language combination is low; or
  • There have been extended periods where a practitioner was unable to work for maternity or health reasons. Medical evidence must be provided in support of any claim in this regard.

A year’s extension may be provided for a practitioner to meet the recertification requirements, one year pro-rata, in circumstances where not enough work or professional development has been undertaken during the recertification cycle. Extensions cannot be granted unless an application is lodged with us.

If a practitioner does not apply for recertification or does not meet the recertification criteria, the certification will expire.



More Questions?

Aurélie Sheehan, NAATI Manager Certification Policy and Development, discussed Recertification in a Podcast with Conversations. It covers the most frequently asked topics.

  • Overview of Recertification (4.05 minutes)
  • Recertification Requirements (11.22 minutes)
  • Logbook (14.55 minutes)
  • Reference Letters (20.36 minutes)
  • Professional Development (26.05 minutes)
  • Keeping Evidence (31.06 minutes)
  • Practical Demonstration