Certification Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is SDL TRADOS Certification?
2. Do I need to be SDL TRADOS Certified to accept project work?
3. What is the process to become SDL TRADOS Certified?
4. How long will it take to become SDL TRADOS Certified?
5. Where can I find out more information on SDL TRADOS Certification?
6. How much does SDL TRADOS Certification cost?
7. How long do I have after I have purchased the exams to take the tests?
8. Do I need to renew my SDL TRADOS Certification when new versions of the software are released?
9. What happens when I successfully pass the Level 1 or Level 2 exams of the SDL TRADOS Certification? 
10. Do I need to pass both the SDLX and Translators Workbench exams to become SDL TRADOS Certified?
11. I am currently SDL TRADOS Certified for the SDL Trados 2006 option. What do I have to do to upgrade my Certification?
12. I am going through Certification for SDL Trados 2006, how does this affect me?
13. How much does both on-line and on-site training cost?
14. What is the difference between onsite and online training?
15. Where is the onsite training being delivered?
16. How is the online training being delivered, in which language, is it interactive, who is the caller?
17. What is the duration and workflow of the online training?
18. How can SDL TRADOS Certification help me win business?
19. Do I need to be trained in SDLX and Translator’s Workbench to be Certified?
20. What languages is the Certification training delivered in?
    

What is SDL TRADOS Certification?

The SDL TRADOS Certification Program is the industry’s premier technology based certification which provides a recognized standard of excellence in SDL Trados software knowledge. It’s a comprehensive professional education program designed to develop and validate expertise in the use of SDL Trados translation technology tools.

The Certification has been designed to help educate the translator community on the latest technological developments and best practices in translation technology, terminology management and automated quality assurance checks. As a result, Certification greatly increases derived efficiencies from the use of SDL Trados software and ensures the automation and time saving features available in the technology are applied. Additionally, the SDL TRADOS Certification helps increase quality of translation project by reducing human error and helps individuals achieve their personal development goals.

Do I need to be SDL TRADOS Certified to accept project work?

Absolutely not, however holding the credential proves your level of expertise in the translation technology and will make you more interesting to a potential employer.

I am currently SDL TRADOS Certified for the SDL Trados 2006 option. What do I have to do to upgrade my Certification?

We have endeavoured to make the transition to the new version as easy and quick as possible. You will find that your account has automatically been updated with everything you  need to update your Certfication process to the SDL Trados 2007 product. When you log back into your account you will find an “upgrade exam” and free self-running training tutorial focusing on the new features and functionality of SDL Trados 2007. The exam and online tutorials are concise and very simple to go through, focusing only on what’s new in SDL Trados 2007.

When you successfully pass the upgrade exam you will upgrade your Certification to the 2007 version.

The upgrade is delivered free of charge and will take place automatically in your account

I am currently going through Certification for SDL Trados 2006, how does this affect me?

We have endeavoured to make the transition to the new version as quick and as easy as possible. Your account will automatically be updated with everything you need to upgrade your Certfication status to the SDL Trados 2007 product. When you log into your account, you will find an “upgrade exam” and free self-running training tutorials focusing on the new features and functionality of SDL Trados 2007. The exam and online tutorials are concise and very simple to follow, focusing only on what’s new in SDL Trados 2007. This way you can easily upgrade your Certification to the SDL Trados 2007 version.

This upgrade is delivered free of charge and will appear automatically in your account.

Additionally, now you have the possibility to receive a Level 1 or Level 2 Certification upon successful completion of the Getting Started (Level 1) and Intermediate (Level 2) Certification exams.

How much does both on-line and on-site training cost?

To find out more details on pricing for the various Training courses and delivery types we offer please see our Training Pricelist

What is the difference between onsite and online training?

Onsite training is hands on, classroom based and is delivered at one of our SDL or Authorised Training Centre facilities or at a customers own choosen site
Online training is live, non-interactive, WebEx based training delivered over the internet at an agreed time and duration. We see this as a valuable primer to hands on classroom based training.

Where is the onsite training being delivered?

Onsite training is delivered at one of our SDL or Authorised Training Centre facilities or at a customers own choosen site

How is the online training being delivered, in which language, is it interactive, who is the caller?

Online training can be delivered in the following languages, some of which are available on a public, schedule of course dates, some of which can be delivered on a request only basis.  See the online course schedule for further information on this.  The training is not interactive but is delivered live with the ability to ask questions at the end of the session.  The online training sessions are delivered by an Authorised SDL Trainer.

• English
• German
• Spanish
• French
• Italian
• Japanese
• Polish
• Dutch
• Chinese (simplified)
• Greek
• Russian
• Portugese
• Romanian
• Danish
• Swedish
• Finnish
• Bulgarian
• Egyptian
• Turkish
• Catalan

What is the duration and workflow of the online training?

The duration of our online courses is 3 hours. The workflow is a detailed in the individual course outlines

How can SDL TRADOS Certification help me win business?

For freelance translators:
The SDL TRADOS Certification program has been developed with the aim of helping freelance translators achieve their professional development and career advancement goals. Additionally, all major translation community websites such as Proz.com, Aquarius, TRADUguide, have recognised the importance of technology Certification alongside linguistic credentials and have added fields to display SDL TRADOS Certification in their translator’s profile area. Search results from these websites have shown that outsourcers actively look for persons who have the SDL TRADOS Certification credential as a means of validating their level of expertise in the worlds leading translation technology tools.

For translation companies:
Translation companies around the world have shown great interest in the SDL TRADOS Certification program as they can see the benefits of ensuring a level of competency in translation software for themselves. Currently there are over 200 Language Service Providers around the world who have embraced the program. Additionally most  of these companies are using the SDL TRADOS Certification as a  way to add value and attract more business, by differentiating themselves from the competition and actively demonstrating to their clients how they can leverage the efficiencies in the technology to their benefit.

Do I need to be trained in SDLX and Translator’s Workbench to be Certified?

There are several ways prepare for SDL TRADOS Certification and definetely the best reccomended option includes training for the tranlsation tool of your choice either SDLX or Translator's Workbench. In fact according to SDL Training figures over 93% of the tranlsators adn project managers that attended one of our training session passed their Certification exam on the first attempt. To find out more about the different training options available to suit your particular needs please visit our training page.

What languages is the Certification training delivered in?

Certification training is delivered in French, German, English, Japanese and Chinese (simplified)