The aim of this paper is to provide a short overview on current national and regional polices in Italy and to assess how they define public service interpreters in their professional role and how such policies consider professional training. The paper will then analyze how these definitions concerning role are enacted at a legal level within host institutions such as hospitals, courtrooms and police stations, ultimately evaluating the effects on the status of public service interpreters. The paper concludes with a discussion of how thorough, clear-cut policies are essential in defining and guaranteeing the professional role and status of public service interpreters as well as in setting professional standards for the future of public service interpreting.