2011 Oregon Revised Statutes
ORS Volume 10, Chapters 366 - 430
ORS Chapter 413
413.558 Procedures for testing, qualifications and certification of health care interpreters; rules; fees.

(1) In consultation with the Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters, the Oregon Health Authority shall by rule establish procedures for testing, qualification and certification of health care interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency, including but not limited to:

(a) Minimum standards for qualification and certification as a health care interpreter, including:

(A) Oral and written language skills in English and in the language for which health care interpreter qualification or certification is granted; and

(B) Formal education or training in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and medical ethics;

(b) Categories of expertise of health care interpreters based on the English and non-English skills and the medical terminology skills of the person seeking qualification or certification;

(c) Procedures for receiving applications and for examining applicants for qualification or certification;

(d) The content and administration of required examinations;

(e) The requirements and procedures for reciprocity of qualification and certification for health care interpreters qualified or certified in another state or territory of the United States; and

(f) Fees for application, examination, initial issuance, renewal and reciprocal acceptance of qualification or certification as a health care interpreter and for other fees deemed necessary by the authority.

(2) Any person seeking qualification or certification as a health care interpreter must submit an application to the authority. If the applicant meets the requirements for qualification or certification established by the authority under this section, the authority shall issue an annual certificate of qualification or a certification to the health care interpreter. The authority shall collect a fee for the issuance of the certificate of qualification or the certification and for any required examinations in the amount established pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The authority shall work with other states to develop educational and testing programs and procedures for the qualification and certification of health care interpreters.

(4) In addition to the requirements for qualification established under subsection (1) of this section, a person may be qualified as a health care interpreter only if the person:

(a) Is able to fluently interpret or translate the dialect, slang or specialized vocabulary of the non-English language for which qualification is sought;

(b) Has had at least 60 hours of health care interpreter training that includes anatomy and physiology and concepts of medical interpretation; and

(c) Has had practical experience as an intern with a practicing health care interpreter.

(5) A person may not use the title of qualified health care interpreter unless the person has met the requirements for qualification established under subsections (1) and (4) of this section and has been issued a valid certificate of qualification by the authority.

(6) In addition to the requirements for certification established under subsection (1) of this section, a person may be certified as a health care interpreter only if:

(a) The person has met all the requirements established under subsection (4) of this section; and

(b) The person has passed written and oral examinations required by the authority in English, in the non-English language the person wishes to translate and in medical terminology.

(7) A person may not use the title of certified health care interpreter unless the person has met the requirements for certification established under subsections (1) and (6) of this section and has been issued a valid certification by the authority. [Formerly 409.623]