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National Occupational Standards in Interpreting


National Occupational Standards | Languages | Translation | Intercultural Skills

The National Occupational Standards (NOS) in Interpreting set out what individuals need to do, and the knowledge and skills they need, to be competent professional interpreters. The Standards have been designed by and for the interpreting industry, to promote understanding of what constitutes professional and advanced levels of interpreting performance in a range of contexts. They were approved in March 2006.

The NOS in Interpreting are made up of fifteen units, which describe core aspects of interpreting performance as well as relevant support activities. To download the Standards and supporting materials, click here.

The Standards can be used to:

  • describe good practice in particular areas of professional activity
  • inform job descriptions and person specifications
  • design training courses and continuous professional development
  • assess the skills of those training for a particular area of work
  • assess or review the skills of those who are qualified, e.g. for recruitment or appraisal purposes
  • offer a framework for quality assurance.

    • The Standards are available for awarding bodies to use as the basis for National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications (N/SVQs). Currently, CACDP is the only awarding body to offer an occupational qualification based on the Interpreting Standards (the NVQ Level 4 in British Sign Language/English Interpreting).

    For guidance and case studies on careers in interpreting and translation, see Languages Work.