Interpreter Certification Requirements

Interpreters for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, grades Early Education (EE) -12, must be certified as an interpreter or have an emergency permit issued by the Texas Education Agency.

The following Commissioner’s rule became effective March 6, 2001 and is a requirement for school districts which employ interpreters for the deaf.

If your district employs an interpreter who is not certified, you should request an emergency permit for this interpreter.

Procedures to be followed include:

• The employing district must complete and submit an emergency permit application (available on-line) and include a plan for meeting training requirements.

• The employing district must document attempts to hire a certified interpreter.

• A permit must be requested within 30 days of the start of the school year or within 30 days of employment of a non-certified interpreter.

• Permits must be requested on an annual basis, not to exceed 3 years for any interpreter.

• Interpreters who are granted an emergency permit must participate in 12 hours per school year of required training related to interpreting.

• Documentation of required training must be submitted to TEA by established deadlines. See specific requirements for documentation.

• Interpreters who are on their 3rd year permit must also have monthly observations and conferencing with a certified interpreter during the school year. They must also take the state or national interpreter certification evaluation by April 30 of the applicable school year. Documentation of this must be sent to TEA Services for the Deaf by May 15 of the respective school year.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about interpreter emergency permits are available.

For more information about interpreter certification, visit the Web site of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Division for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DARS/DHHS) or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

For questions or information about the interpreter emergency permit process, contact Deafed@tea.state.tx.us or call the Division of Services for the Deaf at (512) 463-9424.