Can someone become a certified translator, just by taking translation courses and without having to go to college?

certification is not a criterion to determine skill or talent.

But for formal settings certificate is a must.

Unfortunately I think no, because "certified" indicates the presence of a certificate! Anyhow a person can become a good translator; this does not necessarily need certificates.

Nowadays, people change their professional field just by passing special courses (there are exceptions, but nonetheless). And almost all paid courses offer a certificate at the end. But it is not always demanded - some companies rather look at your skills and experience than at any certificate. 

Hi, I hope you find following links helpful in answering your queries. Please upvote if helped.

Thanks, RM.

https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Certified-Translator

http://www.atanet.org/certification/

https://study.com/translation_certifications.html

https://atasavvynewcomer.org/2017/04/04/translation-certificate-vs-certification/

 personal efforts always lead to success but to be more professional you need to be part of organisation   

I think this depends on the geographic laws within which the individual practice. Surely there is no major difference between college and distance education. Gaining a certified recognition by taking distant courses allows one to practice any profession as it does allow another certified from a college as long as the authorizing body is recognized.