Shanghai has begun the 2024 application and review process for senior translation professional titles starting from Sept 15.

I. Fields of expertise and scope of application

1. Fields of expertise 

Level-1 English Translator or Interpreter, English Translation Reviewer.

2. Scope of application

This application is open to professionals involved in translation work in enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, or individual economic entities located in Shanghai, as well as freelance translators and interpreters who meet the specified criteria.

Applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

Be a registered resident of Shanghai;

Hold a valid Shanghai Residence Card;

Have contributed to social insurance in Shanghai for at least 12 months within the last 2 years.

Individuals who are retired or reaching the statutory retirement age in the current year are not eligible to apply, unless they have officially extended their retirement. In such cases, applicants must submit the approval form for the extended retirement.

Public institutions should base their recommendations on available professional technical positions within their organization, ensuring that the recommended applicants are in line with their job vacancies. Vacancy information must be verified and stamped by the relevant municipal administrative department or district human resources and social security administration s.

University teachers involved in translation teaching and research are encouraged to participate in the evaluation process for translation professional titles. Professors from municipal universities have the option to directly apply for the Translation Reviewer title, while associate professors may similarly apply for the Level-1 Translator or Interpreter title, with approval from their institution's HR department and relevant authorities.

II. Application requirements

1. Basic requirements

(1)Adhere to the Constitution, laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China and uphold the policies of the Party and the country;

(2)Demonstrate good professional ethics and dedication to promoting the translation industry and possess the relevant professional capabilities and skills;

(3)Show dedication to the work, diligently perform job responsibilities, and actively participate in continuing education;

(4)Maintain a satisfactory or higher rating in translation business evaluations and annual comprehensive assessments for the past three years.

2. Results of CATTI (Level-1)

Applicants for the title of Level-1 English Translator or Interpreter must first take the Level-1 examination for translators or interpreters under the China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters (referred to as CATTI). They must achieve either the nationally established passing threshold or the minimum score specified by the evaluation committee for the year 2024. Exam results that meet the national benchmark remain valid indefinitely, while those that meet only the evaluation committee's designated score are valid solely for that evaluation year.

The evaluation score is determined based on the 2023 exam results, with the score threshold set at 55 points, and the national passing standard at 60 points.

3. Education and experience requirements

(1) Level-1 Translator or Interpreter

Applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

Hold a PhD and have served as a Level-2 Translator or Interpreter for at least 2 years;

Hold a master's degree in a relevant translation field and have served as a Level-2 Translator or Interpreter for at least 3 years;

Hold a double bachelor's degree or a graduate certificate in a relevant translation field and have served as a Level-2 Translator or Interpreter for at least 4 years;

Hold a master's degree or a bachelor's degree in a non-translation field, and have served as a Level-2 Translator for at least 5 years;

Hold a simultaneous interpretation certification and meet the above education and experience requirements.

Relevant translation fields include majors within the disciplines of foreign languages and literature, translation studies, and ethnic minority languages under the discipline of Chinese languages and literature.

(2) Translation reviewer

Generally, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and meet one of the following conditions:

Have held a senior translation professional titles for at least 5 years;

Have held another senior professional title, engaged in translation work for at least 4 years, with a total of 7 years in a senior role;

Have transferred to a senior role in translation from another field, engaged in translation work for at least 3 years, with a total of 5 years in senior roles;

Have held a full professor title in another field and engaged in translation work for at least 1 year.

(3) The deadline for calculating years of service is Dec 31, 2024.

4. Performance and contribution requirements

(1) Level-1 Translator or Interpreter

Translation: During the tenure as a Level-2 Translator, applicants must:

Complete more than 200,000 words of translation work, or at least 150,000 words of translation for key provincial or ministerial-level projects (proof and detailed list required);

Publish at least 1 translated work (as the sole or first author), or publish 3 translated articles (as the sole or first author).

Interpretation: During the tenure as a Level-2 Interpreter, applicants must:

Complete at least 100 interpreting sessions (each session lasting at least 30 minutes) in formal settings (proof and detailed list required), and provide recordings of at least 3 sessions (each lasting at least 30 minutes).

(2) Translation Reviewer

During the tenure as a Level-1 Translator or Interpreter, applicants must meet two of the following conditions:

Review over 300,000 words of formally published materials or complete the review of more than 300,000 words of translated manuscripts (proof and detailed list required);

Conduct interpretation for at least 30 major events such as international conferences or foreign-related talks (each session lasting at least 60 minutes), and provide recordings of at least 5 sessions (each lasting at least 60 minutes), with at least one translation from Chinese to English and one from English to Chinese;

Publish 2 books (as the sole or first author), or publish 6 translated articles (as the sole or first author);

Publish 1 translation theory research book (as the sole or first author), or publish 3 translation theory research papers (as the sole or first author);

Lead 1 provincial- or ministerial-level translation research project;

Lead 1 provincial- or ministerial-level external translation project.

5. Continuing education

Translators and interpreters are encouraged to participate in continuing education to update their knowledge and improve their skills. After obtaining the current title, translators should complete the required hours of continuing education each year.

6. Exception conditions

Applicants with outstanding achievements in translation who do not meet the required educational qualifications or experience may have these requirements waived if they meet the following criteria:

Have received an "Excellent" rating in annual assessments at least twice during their current position;

Have met or exceeded the requirements for the applied professional technical level in terms of work quality, quantity, and professional competence, and have published scholarly works (or translation works), papers (or translated works), or other contributions of academic value;

Have won provincial, ministerial, or higher-level awards for their work;

Have received recognition from peers, supported by recommendations from two experts with the senior professional title in the field.

Applications for an exception must be accompanied by a report and supporting documents from the applicant's employer.

7. Direct application requirements

High-level overseas talent or outstanding professionals in the private sector who have made significant contributions to the translation industry may apply directly for senior titles, with some requirements (such as education or experience) waived. Please consult the Shanghai Interpreters' Association or municipal/district talent service centers for more information.

8. Defense requirements

The following applicants must undergo a defense:

Those applying through exceptional channels;

Those who have applied in the past three years but did not pass;

Applicants deemed by the evaluation committee to require further assessment.

Applicants whose work experience recently meets the requirements, as well as freelancers, may be randomly selected for defense.

9. Public announcement and certification

The results of the evaluation will be published for public notice by the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security for a period of five working days. If there are no objections, the professional title certificates will be issued.

III. Evaluation procedures

1. Review and recommendation by employer

Employers should conduct a comprehensive assessment of the applicants who meet the application requirements. They should ensure a thorough review of the application materials and publicly disclose these materials within the organization for a period of no less than five working days. After the public notice period without objections, the employers should provide a recommendation agreeing to the candidates’ participation in the senior translation title evaluation.

Freelancers should first consult with the evaluation committee office before applying.

2. Online application

Applicants should log into the website of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security → Government Transparency ("政务公开")→ Professional Title Services ("职称专家") → Shanghai Professional Title Service System ("上海市职称服务系统"), select Shanghai Senior Translation Professional Title Evaluation Committee ("上海市翻译系列高级职称评审委员会") to apply for Level-1 Translator or Interpreter; select Shanghai Senior Translation Reviewer Evaluation Committee ("上海市翻译系列正高级职称评审委员会") to apply for Translation Reviewer. Applicants should fill out the required information and upload the necessary materials.

3. Material review

The evaluation committee offices will review the submitted materials online. Applicants may be asked to revise or supplement their submissions based on feedback provided through the online system. It is important for applicants to monitor the system closely for updates.

4. Issuance of application number

Applicants whose materials pass the review will receive an application number through the professional title service system. They must then submit their physical materials by the specified deadline using the assigned application number.

Applicants whose materials do not pass the review will not receive an application number, and the application process will end at this point.

5. Submission of physical materials

Applicants must submit their physical materials in person to the designated location.

6. Evaluation fee

The evaluation fee is set at 1,000 yuan ($142.58) per person and must be paid when submitting physical materials.

IV. Application material submission dates and location

Online application period: Sept 15 - Oct 31, 2024

Physical material submission period: Nov 1-15, 2024

Physical material submission location: Shanghai Interpreters' Association, Room 1607, 16th Floor, Guolyu Building, 1277 West Beijing Road, Jing'an district, Shanghai

Phone: 021-6329-4760 (Consultation hours: 9:30 am -11:00 am, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm on workdays)

Source: Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security