Membership of the International Association of Conference Interpreters is a sign of professional excellence, demonstrating to potential employers that you meet the highest standards of professional skills and ethics.
Membership is open to all conference interpreters who share our values and commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards, so what are you waiting for? Start the process today by asking members who have worked with you to sponsor your application.
What do I need to join AIIC?
- Proof of 150 days worked as a conference interpreter
- Sponsors
- The commitment to respect AIIC's Professional Working Standards and Code of Professional Ethics
Download the AIIC Application Pack
Professional Experience
To apply to be an active member of AIIC, you must have worked at least 150 days as a conference interpreter. If you’re not there yet, consider becoming a pre-candidate.
Before applying to become an active member of AIIC, you must have worked at least 150 days as a conference interpreter, with at least 50 days in each of the language pairs for which you are applying. There is no need to apply with all your language pairs right away - you can add further languages later, once you reach the requisite number of days or find sponsors.
List the assignments you have done, either remotely or in-person, on the application forms in reverse chronological order.
Staff interpreters, or interpreters who primarily work for a single institution, can opt to provide a certificate from that institution instead, stating the period of employment, language combinations, days worked in each language pair and indicating when you added any new languages.
Sponsorship
Find sponsors for each of your language pairs.
You will need:
- At least 3 sponsors. The number will vary depending on what language classification you are applying for.
- Sponsors must have been active members of AIIC (not associate members or pre-candidates) for at least 5 years with the language classification for which they are sponsoring you.
- At least 2 sponsors with their professional address in the same region as you.
Ways to find sponsors
- Consult the AIIC Directory to find members in your region and/or with the same language combination(s) as you.
- Contact your regional bureau. They will be happy to advise you on how to meet sponsors and will ensure you are invited to local events.
Pre-screening
Submit your application at least 6 weeks before the deadline and take advantage of the pre-screening service the Committee on Admissions and Language Classification offers. This will allow you to make any necessary changes to your application before the deadline.Make sure to inform your sponsors before completing the application form. AIIC members take sponsorship very seriously and will want to get to know you first. All sponsors will be asked to confirm their willingness to act as your sponsor before your application is assessed so it's worth putting in the initial groundwork to avoid disappointment!
Unusual Language Combinations
For applicants with unusual language combinations, finding the right sponsors can be challenging.
When no suitable sponsors are available, you can ask for a waiver. You should still collect as many sponsors as you can. Even though they may not have the exact same language combination as you, they can provide proof of your professional skills, professional ethics, and your determination to join AIIC. You should write to Committee on Admissions and Language Classification to request a waiver.
Waivers
To request a waiver, you must send a letter attached to your online application form.
Whilst waivers ensure that applicants not denied membership on a technicality, they are not an open door to joining AIIC without sponsorship – every AIIC member has been sponsored to join the Association by their peers.
There are 5 types of waiver and you may need to request more than one:
1. Language Waiver
You are not able to find sponsors with the relevant languages and have to find alternatives.
2. Seniority Waiver
The only sponsors that meet your requirements haven’t been AIIC members for more than 5 years.
3. Regional Waiver
You are not able to find 2 sponsors in your region.
4. Number of Days Worked Waiver
You have trouble reaching the required number of days worked for a particular language combination because it is rarely requested.
5. Article 7 Waiver
You do not work from all your languages into your active language (‘A’ language).
Application Deadlines
There are 2 application deadlines annually:
- May 31st
- November 30th
Challenges
Once your application is complete, the Committee on Admissions and Language Classification will contact your sponsors to confirm their support for your membership request. Twice a year, the Committee reviews the applications received.
Following the meeting, CACL will send you feedback on your application and publish a list of all successful applicants (candidates).
AIIC members have 60 days to review the list, and to challenge an application if they have good cause to do so (usually on the grounds of breach of professional standards or ethics).
If there are no challenges to your application within these 60 days, you will receive an email confirming that you are now a member of AIIC and your name will be published in the AIIC directory.
Pre-screening
It’s important to get everything you need for your application before the deadline, because if your application is incomplete, you will have to wait until the next deadline to apply again.
To assist you, CACL offers to pre-screen all early applications. Submit your application at least 6 weeks before the official deadline and CACL will provide you with feedback and support on your application to join AIIC.
