Wash. Rev. Code » Title 2 · Chapter 2.43
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 2.43.050 (2026)

Oath of interpreter—Qualification on the record

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1)(a) Upon obtaining an interpreter credential with the administrative office of the courts, credentialed interpreters shall take a permanent oath, affirming that the interpreter will make a true interpretation of all the proceedings and that the interpreter will repeat the statements of the person with limited English proficiency to the court or agency conducting the proceedings, in the English language, to the best of the interpreter's skill and judgment.
(b) The administrative office of the courts shall maintain the list of credentialed interpreters and a record of the oath in the same manner.
(2) Subject to other processes permitted by statute or regulation, before any person serving as an interpreter for the court or agency begins to interpret, the judicial or presiding officer shall require the interpreter to state the interpreter's name on the record and whether the interpreter is a credentialed interpreter. If the interpreter is not a credentialed interpreter, the interpreter must be qualified on the record.
(3) Before beginning to interpret, every interpreter appointed under this chapter shall take an oath unless the interpreter is a credentialed interpreter who has taken the oath as required in subsection (1) of this section. The oath must affirm that the interpreter will make a true interpretation to the person being examined of all the proceedings in a language which the person understands, and that the interpreter will repeat the statements of the person being examined to the court or agency conducting the proceedings, in the English language, to the best of the interpreter's skill and judgment.
[ 2025 c 55 s 4; 2017 c 83 s 2; 2010 c 190 s 1; 1989 c 358 s 5. Formerly RCW 2.42.240.]

Notes:

Severability—1989 c 358: See note following RCW 2.43.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 1999–2017 · leading case: State v. Ramirez-Dominguez, 140 Wash. App. 233 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007).
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State v. Ramirez-Dominguez, 140 Wash. App. 233 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “We note that the trial court complied with RCW 2.43.050 and ER 604 requiring the taking of an oath before interpreting the proceedings.”
State v. Gonzales-Morales, 979 P.2d 826 (Wash. 1999). “[ [23] ] Under RCW 2.43.050, an interpreter takes an oath *829 affirming that the interpreter will make a true interpretation to the person being examined of all the proceedings in a language which the person understands, and that the interpreter will repeat the statements of…”
State v. Gonzales-Morales, 138 Wash. 2d 374 (Wash. 1999). “[23] Under RCW 2.43.050, an interpreter takes an oath affirming that the interpreter will make a true interpretation to the person being examined of all the proceedings in a language which the person understands, and that the interpreter will repeat the statements of the person…”
State v. Ramirez-Dominguez, 165 P.3d 391 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “[6] We note that the trial court complied with RCW 2.43.050 and ER 604 requiring the taking of an oath before interpreting the proceedings.”
State Of Washington v. Jaspal Singh Gill (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “) 34 Former RCW 2.43.050. 12 No. 72951-9-1/13 [her] ability" to competently interpret Grewal's testimony.”
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