PRICING

DFS Interpreting Services

Most interpreters in the state of California become certified to work in the Workers’ Compensation arena OR in the Court system (which also includes the Workers’ Compensation Appears Board). Although interpreters’ certifications apply to many types of interpreting assignments (including non-Workers’ Comp requests) the industry standard rates typically reflect either:

  1. Workers’ Compensation market rate

  2. Superior Court standards

DFS Interpreting operates in accordance with the California Code of Regulations 9795.3 (2) (ii) to establish our market rates for Workers’ Compensation. DFS considers these rates as “standard.” Rates for assignments outside of Workers’ Compensation are subject to the scope of work to be determined and pursuant the type of certification required. For MSA’s and Vendor Contracts, please contact us directly for enterprise/corporate pricing.

Our Market Rate is based on factors of supply and demand of interpreters in the rural areas of Northern California, along with costs of overhead, inflation as well as other key factors. We typically bill two separate market rates; one for certified interpreters at medical appointments and one for certified interpreters at legal appointments. These market rates vary between $145.00 per hour and $195.00 per hour with hourly minimums as mandated in Section 9795.3 of the California Labor Code.

Depending on the service requested or the type of certification required, DFS Interpreting bills on a 2 hour, 4 hour (half day) or 8 hour (full day) minimum. In certain cases, a one hour minimum may apply but is not standard for most types of appointments.

Overtime is not billed at a higher rate. However, work time outside of normal business hours (Mon-Fri. between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. PST) is billed at a higher rate. Please inquire about these rates if you require services outside of normal business hours.

Travel time is billed hourly at the same rate as the corresponding assignment. Travel is only billed when the interpreter must leave their city to complete an assignment elsewhere. Travel time is not billed on a minimum rate like the interpreting service, but rather billed in 15 minute increments.

Mileage is billed for all assignments where travel time is included. Mileage is billed at the rate corresponding to IRS reimbursement.

Beginning January 2023, DFS Interpreting is now offering telephonic and video remote interpreting services from Spanish to English, payable by the minute, in 6-minute blocks of time or part thereof. The rate being offered for this service is:

$3.50 per minute, during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST) billed in 5-minute increments [$17.50 per 5-minute increment or part thereof].

$4.50 per minute, after regular business hours or on weekends, billed in 5-minute increments [$22.50 per 5-minute increment or part thereof].
 

Other Terms:

  • Late Cancellations: (within 24 hours) and No Shows are billed at the minimum rate. For late cancellations, if the minimum rate includes travel time, that travel time becomes part of the minimum rate, but mileage is not billed. For a no show at an assignment that includes travel and mileage, both shall be billed as part of the minimum rate.
     

  • Urgent Request Premium: Minimum $150.00 and up, per occurrence. Depends on the rush and location of certified interpreter dispatched. This fee is in addition to hourly rate. DFS Interpreting considers an assignment to be “urgent” if request is made no later than 24 hours before the date/time of service.
     

  • “Flat Rate” Requests: this rate can only be guaranteed per assignment and is not recurring. The “flat rate” can only be determined once we have located and assigned a certified interpreter. All “flat rates” will need to be authorized in writing prior to covering the assignment. “Flat rates” will include the interpreting and travel time and mileage covered. If the minimum outlined in the “flat rate” is exceeded, hourly rates apply.
     

  • If an interpreter request is made for a Certified Court Interpreter at a trial, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total cost of the assignment shall be expected 10 business days prior the trial date/s.
     

  • Other terms and conditions may apply. You will be informed of these terms and conditions in writing upon booking your assignment, and we will put them in writing in the purchase order.