Medical Interpreter Course: Language Spanish


Break language barriers in healthcare. Transform your bilingual ability into a rewarding medical interpreting skill. Our online Medical Interpreter training program was designed for individuals who are fluent in English and Spanish and who strive to achieve accurate communication and cultural sensitivity among our Hispanic patients. Obtain your certificate of completion to satisfy the prerequisite to apply for national certification.

New Enrollment Timeline:

  • Fall 2025 Spanish Medical Interpreter Course

    August 25, 2025 course starts.  Important: All requirements and payment must be completed by July 25, 2025 (see Course Process).

    Enrollees must complete the course by December 12, 2025.

  • Limited to 15 total enrollees per semester.

Instructor Diana M. Cavazos, PhD, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor/Clinical  UT Health San Antonio  School of Nursing

Course Process:

  1. Candidate contacts program instructor to discuss interpreter training interest and course process. You can contact Dr. Diana Cavazos cavazosdm@uthscsa.edu
  2. Assessment: Candidate will complete Spanish language proficiency provided by instructor. And score at least intermediate level.
  3. Approval:  After review of Spanish language proficiency assessment, candidate receives approval from program instructor via e-mail to enroll in interpreter course. You will be emailed instructions and a link to register and pay the fee for the course.
  4. Cost (we do not provide refunds –REGISTRATION POLICY):
    • Student rate $125 (currently enrolled in an academic program); limited to 5 per semester
    • Professional rate $1200
  5. Enrollment: Candidate enrolls and completes the 45-hour online interpreter course.
    • Completion Schedule: we are allowing a total of 15 weeks for completion.  One module per week must be completed and on the 15th week you must take your final exam.  We cannot allow additional time.  The course will close at the end of the 15th week.
  6. Course Completion:
    • Candidate completes course’s final assessment and course evaluation.
    • A certificate of completion will be automatically generated by Canvas.
    • Candidate becomes TRAINED medical interpreter.

45 hour didactic online course:

  1. Roles of the Medical Interpreter” the Medical Interpreter and HIPAA, Hispanic culture and healthcare practices (3)
  2. Skills of the Medical Interpreter: code of ethics, standards of practice and cultural competence (3)
  3. Qualifications of the Medical Interpreter: Federal Laws and language assistance obligations (3)
  4. Foundations of medical words (3)
  5. Body systems medical terminology: anatomical terms, common conditions, common diagnostic tests and treatments (33).

After Course on your Own:

  1. Candidate applies for national certification for medical interpreter, with a board of their choice.

Continuing Nursing Education:
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

45 Nursing CE contact hours are provided upon completion of the course.  There is no other CE provided for this course.