Starting with the question "why do we need professional public service interpreters?" this paper offers an overview of the present situation regarding the provision of public service interpreters (PSIs) in the UK to public service clients and touches on the main obstacles to the professionalisation of public service interpreting so far encountered. It also provides an overview of the establishment of the national benchmark qualification for PSIs in the UK, the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting, and the establishment of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters. Finally, the paper suggests directions for the further development of the profession. (Contains 6 notes.)