Join the AALB Society of Professional Interpreters

Welcome to AALB Society of Professional Interpreters, an exclusive community for interpreters seeking to their enhance skills and build a network. As a member, access a supportive community dedicated to excellence in interpreting with a platform to exchange knowledge, share experiences and engage in meaningful discussions. Our highest standards of professionalism create the perfect environment for your growth and development.

Membership Requirements:
  • Fluency in at least two languages.
  • Completion of one of the following:

    A. A minimum of 40 hours of training in interpretation through a certificate program or college-level courses.

    B. Certification or licensure as an interpreter.

    Note: Those currently enrolled in an interpreter training program are eligible for apprentice-level membership.

Benefits of Membership

Join Simulated Roleplay Practice Sessions: 
24 Hours Annually

Attend live practice sessions twice a month to hone your medical interpretation skills, participate in team-building activities, discuss ethical scenarios, and more; qualified interpreters of all languages are accepted. At this time, all practice sessions will be focused on medical interpretation.

Practice sessions are held on varying times & days to maximize participation.


Receive Free Accredited Continuing Education:
24 Hours Annually

Stay current in your field with complimentary continuing education opportunities. Live webinars will be recorded & sent to all members. These workshops offer continuing education units (CEUs) that are accepted by CCHI and NBCMI for renewing your certification. At this time, continuing education will be focused on medical interpretation.

Even if you can't attend live, recordings of the workshops will be sent to all members.

Receive Invitations to Networking and Member Engagement Events

As a member of AALB, you'll have the opportunity to expand your professional network and connect with experienced interpreters. Participate in exclusive meetings held every other month to engage in team-building activities, discuss ethical scenarios, and more. Maximize your growth and learning by taking advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with other professionals in the field.

Join the AALB Mentorship Program

Members can choose to participate in an interpreter mentorship program, where experienced interpreters provide guidance, support, and advice to those new to the profession.

This program fosters professional growth and development, and helps build lasting relationships within the interpreter community. Bronze & Silver members are eligible to be mentees, while Gold, Platinum, and Diamond members are eligible to be mentors.

Membership Event Calendar

September 2024 Events (Click Here)
🎙️ Interpreting Practice Session (Medical)
Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Time: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern Time

📚 Accredited Continuing Education Workshop (Medical)
Topic: Advanced Flow Management Techniques
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern Time

💼 Job Placement Assistance
Topic: Phase 2: Resume Training
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time

👥 Interpreter Engagement Event
Topic: All New Medical Terminology Challenge!
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Time: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern Time
October 2024 Events (Click Here)
💼 Job Placement Assistance (Combined Phases 1 AND 2: Resume AND Job Application Training)
Date: Sunday, October 13 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Eastern U.S. Time

📚 Accredited Continuing Education Workshop (Medical)
Date: Thursday, October 17 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Eastern U.S. Time
Topic: Flip the Rx for Interpreting Medications (Part 1)

📚 Accredited Continuing Education Workshop (Medical)
Date: Wednesday, October 23 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Eastern U.S. Time
Topic: Language Proficiency for Interpreters (LPI): The Bedrock of our Profession

🎙️ Interpreting Practice Session (Medical)
Date: Saturday, October 26 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern U.S. Time

👥 Event: Wheel of Fortune: Medical Interpreter Edition
Date: Wednesday, October 30 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Eastern U.S. Time

August Schedule:

All times are listed in Eastern Time. Please convert them to your time zone.

August 3rd, 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM (Thursday)
Onboarding Ceremony

August 9th, 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Wednesday) 
Simulated Roleplay Practice Session (Medical)

August 19th, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM (Saturday)
Simulated Roleplay Practice Session (Medical)

August 24th, 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Thursday)
Accredited Continuing Education Workshop (Medical)

August 27th, 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM (Sunday) 
AALB Symposium & Networking Event for Professional Interpreters

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to see the detailed member policies document, which all members should read and understand before they apply for membership.
Who is eligible to become a member of the AALB Society of Professional Interpreters?
To be eligible for membership in the AALB Society of Professional Interpreters, an individual must demonstrate the following:

1. Fluency in at least two languages.
2. Completion of one of the following:
- A minimum of 40 hours of training in interpretation through a certificate program or college-level courses.
- Certification or licensure as an interpreter.

Note: Those currently enrolled in an interpreter training program are eligible for apprentice-level membership. This means that they can attend engagement and CEU events, but will not be eligible to attend practice sessions until they have completed their training program. They will be required to complete their training program within 6 months of becoming a member.
Which documents are accepted as evidence of fluency and training?
Evidence of training: The document you should submit as evidence of training depends on the nature of the training you received. Most often, interpreters possess a certificate of completion for a training program. Other accepted documents include national certification, licensure, and college transcripts for relevant coursework.

Evidence of linguistic fluency: Once the evidence of training has been reviewed and approved, our team will reach out to applicants directly to complete an internal self-paced proficiency interview (10-15 minutes per language), which will test for speaking and listening skills in English and at least one other non-English language.

Note: Our proficiency test cannot be used for any other purpose other than qualifying for our membership, and results are not shared with third party organizations.
Are self-paced CEUs available?
Yes, self-paced Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for those who cannot attend the live lectures. Recordings of live lectures will be accessible for three months following their initial presentation, and most, but not all of them, will be available for self-paced CEUs. Members have the opportunity to earn up to 2 hours of CEUs each month by watching these recordings. However, it's important to note that the CEU hours for certain recorded classes may be adjusted downward. This adjustment is due to the potential loss of interactive elements that are an integral part of our live sessions, which are optimized for real-time participation and engagement.
What specialties of interpretation do you accept?
We accept all specialties of interpretation, including medical, legal, educational, military, conference, business, crisis, religious, and more. Currently, training and and CEU sessions are focused on medical interpretation. We have plans to expand to legal and educational interpretation in the near future.
How much are membership dues?
Membership dues are $180 when paid annually, or $18 per month when paid monthly. These are paid at the time of application. If an applicant is rejected, they will be given the opportunity to appeal. If their appeal is rejected, they will be sent a refund minus a flat $10 proficiency testing fee.
I have more questions, who can I contact?
We are happy to answer your questions. Click here to contact us.
September 2024 Events (Click Here)
🎙️ Interpreting Practice Session (Medical)
Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Time: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern Time

📚 Accredited Continuing Education Workshop (Medical)
Topic: Advanced Flow Management Techniques
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern Time

💼 Job Placement Assistance
Topic: Phase 2: Resume Training
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time

👥 Interpreter Engagement Event
Topic: All New Medical Terminology Challenge!
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Time: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern Time