You have decided on an exciting career path that takes time and dedication. It takes several years to get started as an interpreter. Some people need an average of 2,200 to 3,200 hours to learn to fluently speak a new language. Universities that offer four-year interpreter training programs may require a lot of your time to learn American Sign Language, but they do not typically exceed the amount of time required for any other language. There are several resources to help begin the journey toward becoming a qualified, professional interpreter.