The Examination Board of Authorised Translators issues authorisations upon application. The Examination Board of Authorised Translators works under the auspices of the Finnish National Agency for Education.

Authorised Translators in Finland

An authorised translator is an expert who has the right to carry out authorised translations of public documents. An authorised translation maintains the legal force of the original document and is used as a tool for example in legal proceedings etc. 

Authorised translator is a title defined by the Act on Authorised Translators (1231/2007) and the Government Decree on Authorised Translators (1232/2007). The title of authorised translator may only be used by a person who has been granted the right to practice as an authorised translator in the manner referred to in the Act on Authorised Translators.

The legal information regarding authorised translators is available in Finlex database in Finnish and Swedish only. However, the Finnish Association of Translators and Interpreters (SKTL) has provided an English translation of the Act on Authorised Translators. You can find the material linked below:

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Language Requirements for Authorised Translators in Finland

As explained above, the provisions on the right to practise as an authorised translator and on the examination system of authorised translators are set by the Finnish law.

In Finland, authorised translators are required to be able to work in at least one of the official languages of Finland (Finnish, Swedish or Sami).

Therefore, the majority of the information regarding the application instructions as well as the detailed information of the three different ways of applying for the authorisation are published only on our Finnish and Swedish websites.

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Application Process for the Authorisation

A translator, who meets the criteria set out in the Act on Authorised Translators (summed below) can apply for authorisation from the Examination Board of Authorised Translators.

It is the duty of the Examination Board of Authorised Translators to issue and withdraw authorisations; to monitor the practice of authorised translators; to assess examinations and issue pass certificates; to make arrangements for holding the Authorised Translator’s Examination; and to function as a data controller as laid down in the Act on Authorised Translators (1231/2007).

 

Eligibility Criteria of an Authorised Translator

The title of authorised translator may be conferred to a person who

  • is of age and of known reliability
  • who has not been declared to lack legal capacity
  • whose municipality of residence under the Municipality of Residence Act (201/1994) is in Finland, or who is domiciled in a Member State of the European Union or in another country in the European Economic Area
  • who meets the language and translation skills required for the ability to practise as an authorised translator (see Qualification Requirements for Authorised Translators’ Examinations).

 

Three Different Ways to Apply for Authorisation

A person who fulfils the abovementioned criteria can apply to be entitled to practise as an authorised translator. There are three ways to apply according to the applicant's level of education:

  1. The applicant has successfully passed the Authorised Translator's Examination.
  2. The applicant has obtained a Finnish second-cycle degree (such as a Master of Arts) including the required amount of relevant studies set out in the Act of Authorised Translators (1231/2007).
  3. The applicant has already been granted the right to practise as an official translator in Finland.

The applicant must fill out a correct form (1-3) either in Finnish or Swedish as authorised translators are required to be able to work in at least one of the official languages of Finland. Prior to authorisation, the applicant must also give an authorised translator’s written affirmation (kääntäjän vakuutus).

Further provisions on how an authorisation shall be applied for (as well as how the authorisation is granted) are issued by government decree (1232/2007). On this page, you can view the application forms (only in Finnish and Swedish) below. More detailed application instructions can also be found on our Finnish and Swedish websites.

Application forms
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Aplication options

As explained above, eligible translators have three ways to apply for the authorisation, based on their previous level of education. The three different options will be briefly explained in the following chapters.

 

1. Applicants, Who Passed the Authorised Translators Examination

In the Authorised Translator’s Examination, the examinees must demonstrate their language and translation skills in the examination languages, as well as the other competences required in the professional practice of an authorised translator. 

The ways of demonstrating required language and translation skills as well as the generic assessment criteria are defined in the Qualification Requirements of the examination.

Passing the Authorised Translator's Examination is not required, if the individual has obtained a Finnish Master of Arts degree or other second-cycle degree includingat least 60 credits (ECTS) in translation studies, and applies for the right to carry out translations in the capacity of an authorised translator in a language pair contained in the degree in question, exclusively into his or her native language or into the language he or she masters best (working language A).

The Examination Board of Authorised Translators cannot recognise foreign degrees. If your degree on translation studies is not from a Finnish University, but you are able to translate to or from Finnish or Swedish, it is advised to take the Authrorised Translators Examination.

 

3. Official Translators in Finland

The right to practise as an official translator, granted before entry into force of the Act on Authorised Translators (1231/2007), remained in effect until the end of 2012. Since 2012, official translators have been subjected to the Act on Authorised Translators that came into force on the 1st of January 2008. Meaning, that the official translators are not, entitled to use the title of authorised translator without application for the autorisation.

A person who, upon entry into force of the Act, was entitled to practise as an official translator is granted the right to practise as an authorised translator, without having to take the examination, provided that he or she fulfils the eligibility criteria laid down in section 2 of the Act on Authorised Translators (1231/2007). Furthermore, the fixed term of validity of the authorisation shall not be applied to such person.

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Expiration of the Authorisation

Upon the authorisation of a translator, a certificate is issued. The certificate states from and into which language the translator is entitled to carry out authorised translations. The certificate also states the duration of the current term of the authorisation (except for the official translators).

A translator can get granted to practise as an authorised translator for a term of five years at a time. The authorisation may be extended upon application for a maximum of five years at a time, provided that the applicant has been practising as an authorised translator during the validity of the previous term of authorisation and continues to fulfil the criteria set out in the Act on Authorised Translator (1231/2007).

The Finnish National Agency of Education contacts the authorised translators approximately three months prior the expiration date of the five-year-term. Therefore, it is important that the translators maintain their personal contact information up to date in the Register of Authorised Translators.

Please update your contact information for the register at auktoris.lautakunta(at)oph.fi.

Authorisation can be extended upon application at any time. You can read the instructions for extending the application on our Finnish and Swedish websites.

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