Interpreting in the public sector

Published: 18. February 2026

IMDi is the National Authority for Public Sector Interpreting

IMDi`s responsibilities include providing guidance and implementing legislation on interpreting in the public sector .

IMDi is the National Authority for Public Sector Interpreting and works with a number of initiatives aimed at public bodies, interpreters, service providers, minority language speakers and government agencies related to:

  • availability of qualified interpreters
  • qualification schemes for interpreters
  • awareness and knowledge about interpreting
  • legislation and guidelines on public sector interpreting

In this work IMDi cooperates with authorities in public sectors such as health, justice, labour and welfare, education and childcare. 

The Interpreting Act

The Act on public bodies’ responsibility for the use of interpreters (Interpreting Act) entered into force 1.1.2022.  The main goal of the Act is to help ensure legal certainty as well as appropriate service and assistance to inhabitants who cannot communicate properly with public authorities without an interpreter. Furthermore, the Act will help ensure that interpreters keep appropriate professional standards. 

Qualification system in Norway and the National Registry of Interpreters

The Norwegian National Registry of Interpreters (tolkeregisteret.no) was created in 2005 in order to provide a nationwide overview of interpreters qualified for work in the public sector. The register lists interpreters in five categories according to qualifications:

  1. Certified interpreters with a bachelor’s degree in interpreting
  2. Certified interpreters with 30 ECTS credits in interpreting, and interpreters with a bachelor’s degree in interpreting
  3. Certified interpreters
  4. Interpreters with 30 ECTS credits in interpreting
  5. Interpreters with a bilingual proficiency test (Tospråktesten) and an orientation course in interpreter’s area of responsibility (TAO-kurs). Certified translators and translators with an education in translation studies are exempted from the bilingual proficiency test.