Signed Language Interpreting Practices: Requirements and Continuing Education

Community Signed Language Interpreter License:

A community signed language interpreter's license entitles its holder to provide signed language interpreting services in community, K-12 educational, and post-secondary educational settings as appropriate under the NAD-RID code of professional conduct.

Educational Signed Language Interpreter License:

An educational signed language interpreter’s license entitles its holder to provide signed language interpreting services in K-12 educational settings as appropriate under the NAD-RID code of professional conduct.

Provisional Signed Language Interpreter License:

A provisional signed language interpreter’s license entitles its holder to provide signed language interpreting services in community and educational settings as appropriate under the NAD-RID code of professional conduct for a maximum of five years while working to satisfy the requirements for a community signed language interpreter’s license or an educational signed language interpreter’s license.

Application For Licensure:

An application for any license to be issued or renewed by the board shall be made on the official form provided by the board for that purpose.

All applications for licensure must include:

• a completed and signed application;
• applicant name;
• proof of age indicating applicant is at least eighteen years of age (copy of birth certificate, driver’s license, state issued identification card, or baptismal certificate);
• mailing address;
• business address;
• phone number;
• non-refundable application fee as required by the board;
• photograph: applicants for original licensure shall attach a recent 2x2, color photograph, front-view of face.

An application for a community signed language interpreter license must also include: a copy of the applicant’s current RID membership card showing that the applicant holds one or more certifications recognized by RID at the time of application for licensure with the exception of ED: K-12 (educational certificate: K-12).

An application for an educational signed language interpreter license must also include: proof of EIPA rating of 4.0 – 5.0 and a copy of the applicant’s current RID membership card showing that the applicant holds the ED: K-12 certified member status by virtue of EIPA rating; or a copy of the applicant’s current RID membership card showing that the applicant holds one or more certifications currently recognized by RID.

An application for a provisional signed language interpreter license must also include: proof of completion of an interpreter education program or interpreter preparation program at an accredited institution; or proof of employment as a community signed language interpreter or an educational signed language interpreter at the time the act became effective and after reaching the age of 18; and a copy of the applicant’s current RID membership card showing that the applicant is an associate member (for purposes of tracking CEU requirements through the ACET program as outlined in Subsection  B of 16.28.2.9 NMAC).

If an applicant submits an incomplete license application they will be requested to submit any missing documentation; failure to do so within six months of receipt of the original application will result in the application file being closed.  After the file has been closed, the applicant will be required to submit a new application and application fee to apply again.

Requirements For A License For A Community Signed Language Interpreter:

A license for a community signed language interpreter shall be granted to a person who:

• files a completed application that is accompanied by the required fees; and,
• submits satisfactory evidence that the person:
• has reached the age of majority;
• is of good moral character;
• has completed all educational requirements established by the board;
• holds active certification recognized at the time of application by the registry of interpreters for the deaf (RID) with the exception of ED: K-12 (educational certificate: K-12); and
• complies with the registry of interpreters for the deaf (RID) certification maintenance program (CMP).

Requirements For A License For An Educational Signed Language Interpreter:

A license for an educational signed language interpreter shall be granted to a person who:

• files a completed application that is accompanied by the required fees; and,
• submits satisfactory evidence that the person:
• has reached the age of majority;
• is of good moral character;
• has completed all educational requirements established by the board;
• has passed the educational interpreter written and performance assessment (EIPA) with a score of 4.0 – 5.0 and holds active ED: K-12 (educational certification: K-12) or other certification recognized at the time of application by the registry of interpreters for the deaf (RID); and
• complies with the registry of interpreters for the deaf (RID) certification maintenance program (CMP).

Requirements For A One-Time, Five-Year Provisional License To A Person Not Meeting The Community Signed Language Interpreter Or Educational Signed Language Interpreter Requirements For Licensure:

A one-time, five-year provisional license shall be granted to a person who:

• files a completed application that is accompanied by the required fees; and,
• has completed an interpreter education program or interpreter preparation program at an accredited institution; or
• provides verifiable documentation that he or she was employed as a community signed language interpreter or an educational signed language interpreter at the time the act became effective on July 15, 2007 and after the time he or she had reached the age of 18;
• provides proof of associate membership in the registry of interpreters for the deaf (RID) (for purposes of meeting the CEU requirements outlined in Subsection B of 16.28.2.9 NMAC).

License Expiration:

• Community signed language interpreter licenses expire two years from the last day of the month in which they were issued.
• Educational signed language interpreter licenses expire two years from the last day of the month in which they were issued
• Provisional signed language interpreter licenses expire five years from the last day of the month in which they were issued, but are subject to an annual compliance review.  Revocation proceedings may be initiated by the board if the holder of a provisional license fails to pass the annual compliance review:
• Provisional signed language interpreter licenses issued prior to August 15, 2013 must complete the compliance review each year by September 30;
• Provisional signed language interpreter licensees with provisional licenses issued after August 15, 2013 must complete the compliance review each year by the last day of the month in which the license was issued. 

License Renewal:

A licensee may renew a community signed language interpreter license or an educational signed language interpreter license every two years by:

• submitting a completed renewal application provided by the board that is accompanied by the required fees; and
• submitting the continuing education requirements as specified in 16.28.2.9 NMAC.

A licensee may renew a provisional interpreter license every year for up to four years by:

• submitting a completed renewal application provided by the board that is accompanied by the required fees; and
• submitting the continuing education requirements as specified in 16.28.2.9 NMAC.

A provisional licensee must complete the mandatory annual compliance review for a provisional interpreter license.  This may be done up to four consecutive times by:

• submitting a completed compliance review application provided byt he board that is accompanied by the required fees; and
• submitting the continuing education requirements specified in 16.28.2.9 NMAC.

If a license is not renewed by the expiration date, the license shall be considered expired, and the licensee shall refrain from practicing.  The licensee may renew within a sixty-day grace period, which begins the first day the license expires, by submitting payment of the renewal fee and late fee and complying with all renewal requirements.  Upon renewal of license, the licensee may resume practice.

Any person whose provisional license has lapsed may apply to the board for reinstatement of the license.

In making application for reinstatement, the applicant must state why the license should be reinstated and should specifically set forth an explanation of why the license lapsed and how changed circumstances would justify reinstatement.  Documentation must be provided.

Any licensed interpreter applying for reinstatement of a license must submit an application fee as set forth in 16.28.6.8 NMAC and provide proof of attendance of continuing education hours as set forth in 16.28.2.9 NMAC for each year of lapse.

Provisional licensed interpreters will still be limited to a total of five years from the time the initial license was granted.

If the board approves the reinstatement application, the original license number will be issued to the applicant.