Spanish Healthcare Interpreter Program Application Criteria

Application Deadlines

Application materials for the Spring 2025 cohort (online sessions run from Jan. 21–May 8, 2025) must be received by the following dates:

January 14, 2025

• Application form
• Copy of high school diploma or GED
• Copy of a valid U.S. government-issued ID (such as a valid U.S. driver's license or passport)
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Proof of Spanish Language Proficiency

January 14, 2025

• Registration fee – please visit our Registration Fee web page for registration fee information.  

  Please do not pay the registration fee until you have received confirmation from our office that your application is complete and that you are eligible to register for the program.
   

Spanish Healthcare Interpreter Program Application Form

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Minimum Age and Education

Participants must be 18 or older and have a high school degree or the equivalent. Proof of high school graduation or GED is required and a copy of a valid government-issued ID.

Proof of Language Proficiency

Participants must be fluent in English and Spanish, and proof of proficiency in both languages is required to enroll in the training program. Proof of proficiency can be any one of the following documents:

• Proof of English Language Proficiency:
  • Copy of U.S. high school diploma or GED -OR- 
  • Copy of U.S. university/college diploma in which a degree was awarded -OR-
  • Submit a resume and a signed statement from a supervisor attesting to 5 or more years of verified professional experience working in English -OR-
  • Submit oral language exam results with English scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2 
     
• Proof of Spanish Language Proficiency:
  • Copy of high school diploma or GED from an institution where instruction was conducted in Spanish -OR-
  • Copy of university/college diploma from an institution where instruction was conducted in Spanish -OR-
  • Submit a resume and a signed statement from a supervisor attesting to 5 or more years of verified professional experience working in Spanish -OR-
  • Copy of state or federal court interpreter certification in Spanish -OR-
  • Submit oral language exam results with Spanish scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2 

If applicants do not have any prior proof of language proficiency, they will need to complete an ACTFL Speaking Assessment. The assessment is called an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI®), and it is conducted over the phone through Language Testing International (LTI) in the language being assessed (approximately 15-30 minutes in length).  Applicants are responsible for scheduling this assessment through LTI at a time that is convenient for the applicant.  At the scheduled OPI appointment time, the applicant will sign into LTI's remote proctoring platform via a computer with an internet connection and a webcam. A remote proctor will then instruct the test-taker to call the OPI tester by phone while observing/proctoring the phone call over the computer.

The following is required to complete an OPI:

• Telephone 
• A computer (laptop recommended)
• Webcam
• Microphone
• Internet access 

Oral language exam scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2 are required for admission into the Pacific Spanish Healthcare Interpreter Program. 

Important: Language Testing International (LTI) conducts language assessments on an international scale, and typically the soonest that they can schedule an OPI language assessment for an individual is at least two weeks from when you order the assessment online. Please plan ahead and order your language assessment at least 2 to 3 weeks prior to the application deadline to be able to complete the assessment and have your results sent to our office by the application deadline.  

Note that the Spanish Healthcare Interpreter Program registration fee does not include the cost of the speaking assessment if an assessment is needed. All costs associated with the speaking assessment (approximately $185) will be in addition to the registration fee above, and will be paid directly to LTI.  

Please find contact information and instructions for ordering a speaking assessment through Language Testing International (LTI) below:

Instructions for Ordering an OPI Through Language Testing International

Language Testing International (LTI)
https://www.languagetesting.com/oral-proficiency-interview-opi
1-800-486-8444
Email: customercare@languagetesting.com

Speaking assessment scores can be emailed to Amber Vanzant at amber.vanzant@pacificu.edu or mailed to the mailing address below.

Spanish Healthcare Interpreter Program Registration Procedure:  

Applications can be submitted via:

Email: amber.vanzant@pacificu.edu 

Mail: Pacific University
          School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership
          190 SE 8th Ave Suite 104
          Hillsboro, Oregon 97123

1. Please submit emailed, printed, or scanned copies of the following:

• Application form

2. Proof of minimum age and education:

• A copy of U.S. high school diploma or GED -AND-
• A copy of a valid U.S. government-issued ID such as a valid driver's license, passport or other valid government-issued identification. 

3. Proof of English language proficiency:

• Copy of U.S. high school diploma or GED -OR- 
• Copy of U.S. university/college diploma in which a degree was awarded -OR-
• Submit a resume and a signed statement from a supervisor attesting to 5 or more years of verified professional experience working in English -OR-
• Submit oral language exam results with English scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2 

4. Proof of Spanish Language Proficiency:

• Copy of high school diploma or GED from an institution where instruction was conducted in Spanish -OR-
• Copy of university/college diploma from an institution where instruction was conducted in Spanish -OR-
• Submit a resume and a signed statement from a supervisor attesting to 5 or more years of verified professional experience working in Spanish -OR-
• Copy of state or federal court interpreter certification in Spanish -OR-
• Submit oral language exam results with Spanish scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2 

5. If applicant does not have any prior proof of language proficiency, you will need to schedule an ACTFL Speaking Assessment.  The assessment is called an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI®) and it is conducted by Language Testing International (LTI). Applicants are responsible for contacting Language Testing International and scheduling the speaking assessment.  This assessment is conducted over the phone (approximately 15-30 minutes), and the applicant is responsible for the cost associated with this assessment. Please find the contact information and instructions for how to order a speaking assessment through Language Testing International above.

Language Testing International (LTI) conducts language assessments on an international scale, and typically the soonest that they can schedule an OPI language assessment for an individual is at least two weeks from when you order the assessment online. Please plan ahead and order your language assessment at least 2 to 3 weeks prior to the application deadline to be able to complete the assessment and have your results sent to our office by the application deadline.  

6. Once we have received your application materials, you will receive an email message to complete the enrollment process.  Please do not pay the registration fee until you have received confirmation from our office that your application is complete and that you are eligible to register for the program.

7. Respond to this email message to confirm your attendance and follow the instructions provided in the email to pay the registration fee.