The ATA Chronicle - July/August 2020 - 14

MEMBER
OPINIONS

Discussion on Opening ATA's Exam
to Nonmembers

T

he November/December issue included
an announcement that the Board had
voted to postpone a decision to open ATA's
certification exam to nonmembers. This was
followed by the answers to some frequently
asked questions concerning the issues involved
(http://bit.ly/FAQ-Decoupling). Here is another
response we received after members were
encouraged to submit their feedback. But don't
let the conversation stop here! As an ATA
member, your voice is important, so please
send us your comments.

Decoupling: A Solution in
Search of a Problem
By Mike Magee, CT
ATA-certified (German>English)
Austin, Texas
ATA voting members will face an important
decision on the October 2020 ballot:
should members retain the right to take
certification exams, or should this right
be downgraded to a membership benefit?
The amendment proposed by ATA's Board
would permanently change the nature of the
14

The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2020

certified translator (CT) credential and the
requirements for sitting for the certification
exam, opening both to nonmembers
("decoupling"). I believe this proposed
amendment is not in the best interests of
ATA or its members, and I urge a "No" vote.
The relevant portion of the proposed
Bylaws amendment of Article III, Section
3 reads:
a. Active members have the right
to attend any of the Association's
membership meetings, use all of its
membership facilities, and receive all of
its regular publications free or at special
membership rates. They also have the
right to take certification examinations,
to vote, to hold Association office,
and to serve on the Board of Directors
and all committees of the Association.
They also have the privilege of free or
reduced rates for use of the Association's
membership resources, including
professional development events,
certification examinations, and all of its
regular publications.1

Passage of this amendment would clear
the way for decoupling ATA certification
from membership in the future, provided
that the established financial and logistical
preconditions are met.2

ATA CERTIFICATION: A LONGSTANDING
MEMBER RIGHT
The first ATA certification exams (known
as "ATA accreditation" until January 1,
2004) were given in the early 1970s. From
that time onward, the right to earn ATA's
credential has figured prominently in the
Bylaws, in the same sentence as the right
to vote and serve as an elected officeholder.
For decades, the credential was so central
that it was the primary route to earning
ATA voting rights.
The CT credential is a primary
contributor to the ongoing health and
vitality of ATA, as evidenced by a certified
member retention rate of 95%, while the
retention rate for noncertified members is
approximately 75%.3 Professional standards
are inextricably linked to a continuing
commitment to professional education
and development, and a membership
requirement affirms this commitment
beyond meeting the minimum continuing
education requirements.
www.atanet.org
http://www.bit.ly/FAQ-Decoupling http://www.atanet.org
The ATA Chronicle - July/August 2020

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