The written exam is free for all active OLA interpreters (staff and per diems) and members of the public. All candidates must pass the written exam and achieve at least 75% on each section, with a minimum of 80% overall on the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Written Examination. Candidates must complete Step 1 before registering for the Written Exam.
If a candidate does not pass the NCSC written exam, they must wait the mandatory six months before their next attempt. All candidates are eligible to take the written examination a total of three times. Candidates who do not pass the written examination after three attempts must wait two years before retesting.
Candidates who have previously passed the NCSC Written Examination must have done so within three years of registration for the next step. If more than three years have passed, candidates will be required to start at Step 1 and take the Office of Language Access Orientation and Ethics Exam component before proceeding.
Details of the exam
- Part I: General English Language Proficiency - 75 multiple-choice questions
- Part II: Court Related Terms & Usage, and Ethics and Professional Conduct - 60 multiple-choice questions
- A minimum overall score of 80% is required to continue onto the next step in the credentialing process.
- Written examination scores will be valid for three years.
Additional information for all candidates
- All scheduled dates are subject to change or cancellation. However, every effort will be made to adhere to the schedule as it appears.
- Interested participants are encouraged to enroll at the earliest possible opportunity since space is limited and exams often reach capacity prior to the scheduled registration deadline. Confirmation is issued on a first-received basis upon receipt of an applicant’s completed registration form and will be determined once registration closes.
- Upon completion of registration for the orientation & written and oral examinations, candidates will be sent a confirmation email and certified mail notification to the email and mailing address provided on the registration form.
OLA 2026 written exam schedule
| Exam dates | Registration deadlines |
|---|---|
| August 19-20, 2026 | July 13, 2026 Event Registration Closed |
| September 16-17, 2026 | August 13, 2026 Event Registration Closed |
| October 21-22, 2026 | September 14, 2026 Event Registration Closed |
| November 18-19, 2026 | October 9, 2026 |
| December 16-17, 2026 | November 9, 2026 |