Membership

Membership Review Process

The American Translators Association Board voted to simplify the process to obtain Active Membership through Membership Review. The process, which was approved at the ATA Board's March 13, 1999 meeting, opens up several routes to Active and Corresponding for its members.

The new criteria, listed below, are in keeping with the ATA Bylaws that state voting members be "professionally engaged in translating, interpreting, or closely related work." (See the following "Alternative Routes to Active and Corresponding Membership.")

Currently, taking and passing the ATA certification exam is the prevalent route to Active or Corresponding Membership. However, passing the certification exam is only one route. Active or Corresponding Membership may be achieved by successfully submitting credentials and other information to the Active Membership Review Committee. (Candidates who successfully go through the membership review process are active but not certified.)

For background, Active members have the right to attend any of the Association’s membership meetings, use all of its membership facilities, and receive all of its regular publications free or at special membership rates. They also have the right to take certification examinations, to vote, to hold Association office, and to serve on the Board of Directors and all committees of the Association.

Corresponding members have all the rights and privileges of Active members except the right to hold Association office and to serve on the Board of Directors or standing committees. In addition, Corresponding members meet all qualifications for Active Membership except U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.

The Board resolved that Membership Review would be handled administratively at ATA Headquarters. Applicants shall submit their credentials to Headquarters for review, accompanied by the $50 review fee. Any applications that do not clearly match the criteria for "Alternative Routes to Active and Corresponding Membership" will be forwarded by Headquarters to the Active Membership Review Committee for its recommendation. For more information, please contact ATA Headquarters at 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 683-6100; fax: (703)683-6122; email: ata@atanet.org.

approved 3-13-99

---

Alternative Routes to Active or Corresponding Membership

Any one of the following:

1. Translators and interpreters currently certified or certified by a member association of the Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs or by the United States Federal Court Interpreter Certification Program:
   
   Proof of such accreditation or certification.
   
   
2. Translators:
   
   
   1. Proof of a degree or certificate in translation (acceptable programs to be determined by the Education and Training Committee) and
   2. One letter of reference from a client or supervisor.
      
      
3. Interpreters:
   
   
   1. Proof of a degree or certificate in interpretation (acceptable programs to be determined by the Education and Training Committee) and
   2. One letter of reference from a client or supervisor.
      
      
4. Translators or interpreters:
   

   Evidence of at least three years’ work as a translator or interpreter, which may include either of the following:

   1. Three letters of reference from clients or supervisors; or
   2. Copies of records of business activity such as Schedule C, corporate tax returns, 1099s, invoices, or work orders.
      
      
5. Persons professionally engaged in work closely related to translation and/or interpretation:

Evidence of at least three years’ work in a closely related field, which may include either of the following:

1. Teaching appointment letters; or
   
2. Terminology/lexicography research studies

The Education & Training Committee is authorized to establish a list of programs or examinations successful completion of which is sufficient to achieve active or corresponding membership.

approved 3-13-99