CIOL Qualifications Level 6 Diploma in Police Interpreting (DPI)
About the exam
Is it right for me?
The Diploma in Police Interpreting (DPI) is a professional qualification for those who work, or would like to work, as interpreters for Police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The DPI replaced the Metropolitan Police Test as a regulated qualification recognised by Ofqual.
Level: first degree-level qualification in terms of language skills required.
What are the benefits?
- Ofqual-regulated, nationally recognised qualification
- Recognition of professional skills and career development
- Exemptions for the DPSI (Law) qualification, subject to meeting specific registration criteria
- Use the title 'DPI' after your name
- Eligibility for membership of the Chartered Institute of Linguists
- Widely recognised both by organisations who previously recognised the Met Test and those who will now use the DPI as a standard of eligibility for work. This includes acceptance of the DPI as qualification:
- To apply for registration on the List of Metropolitan Police Interpreters (Metropolitan Police Service)
- For registration on the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI)
- For interpreting work with UK Visas and Immigration and the National Crime Agency
- For work in courts through the MoJ Framework Agreement
- For work in public service interpreting through the Crown Commercial Service Language Services Framework Agreement
What format does the exam take?
The qualification is composed of five units:
- Unit 01 (Level 6): Interpret consecutively two-way in a police context and take a police statement
- Unit 02 (Level 6): Interpret simultaneously – whispered – from English in a police context
- Unit 03 (Level 6): Provide a sight translation from English in a police context
- Unit 04 (Level 5): Translate a police statement into English
- Unit 05 (Level 5): Translate from English in a police context
Which languages can I take the exam in?
You can take the DPI exam in a wide variety of languages. View the DPI languages list for more information.
For further information please see the DPI qualification overview.
Preparation
How can I prepare for the exam?
It is essential that you read the Candidate Regulations to find out detailed information about the exam format, criteria and regulations.
It is good practice to prepare for a professional qualification by following a course of study. Courses are available from external providers. Please refer to the list of centres and contact course providers directly.
Please note that as the Awarding Organisation for the DPI, we are unable to endorse or recommend any particular courses.
A selection of free sample exam papers can be accessed by prospective candidates.
Non-members and Student Affiliates can purchase past DPI papers using this form: Past Paper Order Form. Remember however that you can access these as a membership benefit through:
All candidates for the DPI exam are required to become an IoLET Affiliate of CIOL. This will give you access to exclusive preparation resources, including past papers.
*Higher grades of membership (Career Affiliate, Associate, Member and Fellow) are also eligible to enter for exams and access the same exam preparation resources
Dates
When can I take the exam?
All five units of the exam can be taken in June and November.
November 2019 exam dates:
- 20-22 November 2019
Fees
How much does it cost?
Candidates must pay exam fees and a centre fee. Fees are reviewed annually.
Exam fees for June 2019:
Unit 01 £227.00
Unit 02 £186.00
Unit 03 £186.00
Unit 04 £247.00
Unit 05 £186.00
Full exam registration* £635.00
(all five units)
*Fees are capped at £635.00; if the total cost of the units you are sitting exceeds this amount, the maximum payment is still £635.00.
Centre Enrolment fees
If you register to sit the exam at one of our centres, centre fees are arranged and payable directly to the centre.
2019 fees for the IoLET Open Centre:
Unit 01: £55.00
Unit 02 and/or 03: £55.00
Unit 04 and/or 05: £55.00
Full IoLET Open Centre Enrolment Fee: £159.00
(all five units)
Venues
Where can I take the exam?
See our list of centres to find the one nearest you. The venue for the IoLET Open Centre will be confirmed three to four weeks before the exam.
Advanced Learner Loans
The DPI qualification is available for Advanced Learner Loans which as of the 2016/17 academic year are expanded to learners from the age of 19 and to include designated qualifications up to level 6.
The loan applies to tuition fees for DPI preparation courses delivered by colleges or training providers in England approved to offer loans by the Skills Funding Agency. Please check with the course provider to find out about their eligibility and availability of a course.
Loans are available for learners starting a course after 1 August 2018. The last date for enrolment in any future course will be 31 July 2019.
Please note that CIOL Qualifications does not offer courses and therefore does not deal with any aspects of these loans. As the Awarding Organisation our role is limited to nominating the qualification for Advanced Learner Loans designation.
Find out more from the Advanced Learner Loans Qualifications Catalogue, and Advanced Learner Loans.
Registration
The examination is open to anyone who wishes to take it. There are no absolute entry requirements, but regular attendance on a course is strongly recommended.
Candidates are required to register with CIOL as an IoLET Affiliate before registering for any of our exams.
How do I register?
Registration for the June 2020 DPI exam sessions is now open.
To register, download the 
DPI Entry Form. Complete all fields electronically and save to your files. Please submit the completed form by email to info.dpi@ciol.org.uk. A Candidate is only fully registered when the exam fee has been received and payment has been cleared.
Candidates preparing for the Diploma in Police Interpreting are supported through membership of CIOL as an IoLET Affiliate. This membership grade provides access to resources to support preparation as well as other membership benefits. Exam candidates are encouraged to join CIOL as an IoLET Affiliate as soon as they know they intend to take the exam to ensure they get the most out of their membership. Registration with CIOL as an IoLET Affiliate or in professional membership grades is a pre-requisite for exam registration. The applicant's current membership number must be quoted on the exam entry form in order to be processed. Please see IoLET Affiliate membership for further details.
You should also read the Candidate Regulations.
Please send any enquires regarding registration to info.dpi@ciol.org.uk.
After the exam
From marking to issuing results
Quality assurance is built in throughout the life of a qualification. The diagram below describes a set of procedures CIOL Qualifications follows from the examination taking place to issuing results. Rigorous checks are crucial to the quality of each of our qualifications and ensure the accuracy of the assessment decisions.
When do I get my certificate?
You will receive your certificate within two months of the release of results.
Please advise CIOL Qualifications immediately of any change of address as certificates cannot be reissued.
What if I have a complaint?
You have 21 days after the end of the exam session to submit a complaint in writing. Please see the complaints policy and procedures.
What if I want to lodge an appeal?
You have two weeks after receiving your results to lodge an appeal. Please see the enquiries on results and appeals policy and procedures.