2013 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
Chapter 5-71 - Interpreters for the Deaf
Section 5-71-9 - Licensure and regulations of interpreters for the deaf.

§ 5-71-9 Licensure and regulations of interpreters for the deaf. – (a) Licensure shall be granted in either transliterating or interpreting independently. A person may be licensed in both areas if he or she is qualified as defined in subsection 5-71-8(a).

(b) No person shall practice or hold him or herself out as being able to practice interpreting for the deaf, or transliterating for the deaf, or educational interpreting for the deaf as defined in § 5-71-3 unless he or she shall be licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. No person shall hold himself or herself out as being an educational interpreter for the deaf as defined in § 5-71-3 unless he or she is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(c) Each licensed interpreter for the deaf upon commencing to practice, and upon any change in address shall promptly notify the department of said change in home or office address, and shall furnish any other information to the department that it may require. Every licensed interpreter for the deaf shall annually, before July 1st pay the department a license renewal fee, as set forth in § 23-1-54 for each license, corresponding to the area under which the person is practicing. The department may suspend the authority of any licensed interpreter for the deaf to practice for failure to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter or the regulations promulgated thereunder. The department makes available for public inspection, a complete list of the names of all interpreters for the deaf licensed and practicing in the state.

(d) Three (3) types of licensure may be issued to interpreters and or transliterators for the deaf:

(1) A certified license shall be granted to interpreters or transliterators who have met the certification requirements as set forth in regulations promulgated by the department;

(2) A screened license shall be granted to interpreters who have met the educational requirements as set forth in regulations promulgated by the department, and who have successfully completed a recognized state screening or state equivalent as determined by the department in consultation with the board; and

(3) Beginning July 1, 2012, an educational interpreter license may be granted to interpreters or transliterators who meet the requirements of subsection 5-71-8(b).

(e) All licensed interpreters shall be required to complete continuing education, as set forth in regulations promulgated by the department.

History of Section.
(P.L. 1996, ch. 151, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 261, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 277, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 160, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 169, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 9, § 28.)