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Pennsylvania Code of Ethics and
Professional Conduct for Interpreters

CANON 1: REPRESENTATION OF QUALIFICATIONS

Interpreters shall accurately and completely represent their certifications, training and pertinent experience whenever required and should always be precise in describing their language and other professional skills.

CANON 2: ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS

Interpreters shall render a complete and accurate interpretation or sight translation, without altering, omitting, or adding anything to what is stated or written, and without embellishment or explanation.

CANON 3: IMPARTIALITY AND AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Interpreters shall be impartial and unbiased and shall refrain from conduct that may give an appearance of bias or favoritism. Interpreters shall disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest to the appropriate authority in a judicial or administrative proceeding in a timely fashion.

CANON 4: PROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR

Interpreters shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the dignity of the tribunal and shall be as unobtrusive as possible. They should observe a dress and personal appearance code which is consistent with the dignity of the tribunal.

CANON 5: CONFIDENTIALITY

Interpreters shall protect the confidentiality of all privileged and other confidential information. This includes any interpretation that takes place before, during or after a proceeding.

CANON 6: RESTRICTION FROM PUBLIC COMMENT

Interpreters shall not publicly discuss, report, or offer an opinion concerning a matter in which they are or have been engaged, even when that information is not privileged or required by law to be confidential.

CANON 7: SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF PRACTICE

Interpreters shall limit themselves to interpreting, transliterating or translating and shall not give legal advice, express personal opinions to individuals for whom they are interpreting, or engage in any other activities which may be construed to constitute a service other than interpreting, transliterating or translating while serving as an interpreter.

CANON 8: ASSESSING AND REPORTING IMPEDIMENTS TO PERFORMANCE

Interpreters shall constantly assess their ability to deliver their services. When interpreters have any reservation about their ability to satisfy an assignment competently, they shall immediately convey that reservation to the appropriate authority in a judicial or administrative proceeding.

CANON 9: DUTY TO REPORT ETHICAL VIOLATIONS

Interpreters shall report to the appropriate authority in a judicial or administrative proceeding any effort to impede their compliance with any law, any provision of this code, or any other official policy governing interpreting and legal translating in judicial or administrative proceedings.

CANON 10: ACCEPTANCE OF COMPENSATION

Interpreters shall accept no remuneration, gifts, gratuities or any other valuable consideration in excess of their authorized compensation in the performance of their official interpreting duties.

CANON 11: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Interpreters shall continually improve their skills and knowledge and advance the profession through activities such as professional training and education, and interaction with colleagues and specialists in related fields.

CANON 12: AGREEMENT TO ABIDE BY THIS CODE

Interpreters, transliterators and translators performing services in judicial or administrative proceedings in Pennsylvania, accept and agree to be bound by this code, and understand that appropriate sanctions may be imposed by the appropriate authority for willful violations.