Texas Administrative Code
Title 26 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Part 1 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
Chapter 360 - OFFICE OF DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING SERVICES
Subchapter B - BOARD FOR EVALUATION OF INTERPRETERS
Division 2 - BEI COURT INTERPRETER CERTIFICATION
Section 360.315 - Qualifications and Requirements for Court Certificate

Universal Citation: 26 TX Admin Code § 360.315

Current through Reg. 49, No. 52; December 27, 2024

(a) An applicant who is hearing must meet the following qualifications to become a Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI)-certified court interpreter:

(1) hold at least one BEI certificate at Level III, IV, V, IIIi, IVi, Vi, Advanced, Master, or Oral: Comprehensive; or hold certification from Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) with a Comprehensive Skills Certificate, Certificate of Interpretation/Certificate of Transliteration, Reverse Skills Certificate, Certified Deaf Interpreter, or Master Comprehensive Skills Certificate, or National Interpreter Certification Advanced or National Interpreter Certification Master;

(2) pass the DARS DHHS-approved court interpreter written test, which may only be taken by applicants who hold one of the certificates listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection; and

(3) pass the court performance test, which may only be taken by applicants who have passed the court interpreter written test.

(b) An applicant who is deaf or hard of hearing, and cannot hear sufficiently to take the performance test, must meet the following qualifications to become a BEI-certified court interpreter:

(2) have completed the following hours of training and/or mentoring:

(A) a minimum of 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which is the equivalent of 120 clock hours, of DARS-DHHS approved courses of instruction in courtroom interpretation knowledge and skills;

(B) a minimum of 120 hours of actual practice provided by a certified court interpreter who has been approved by DARS DHHS to act as a mentor; or

(3) have passed the court interpreter written test, which may only be taken upon completion and approval by DARS DHHS that the applicant has completed the required training and/or mentoring, as set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(c) An applicant must provide DARS DHHS with documentary proof that the applicant meets the requirements for testing and for certification.

(d) Applicants who formerly held BEI court certification, but who are ineligible to renew their BEI court certification, must meet all applicable qualifications and requirements of this section.

(e) A military service member or military veteran applicant who is deaf or hard of hearing may satisfy the training requirements in subsection (b)(2) of this section with verified military service, training, or education. This subsection does not apply to a military service member or military veteran applicant who is deaf or hard of hearing and who holds a restricted license issued by another jurisdiction or has an unacceptable criminal history according to the laws applicable to DARS.

(f) A military service member, military veteran, or military spouse applicant will be issued an expedited BEI court interpreter certificate if the applicant holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements in subsections (a) or (b) of this section.

(g) A person with an expired certification must not perform work for which a certification is required under Government Code, Chapter 57.

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