Ariz. Admin. Code § 9-26-510

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R9-26-510 - Continuing Education Requirement; Waiver; Extension of Time to Complete

A. Continuing education is required as a condition of licensure renewal.

1. A generalist interpreter shall complete continuing education required by NAD, RID, or BEI to maintain certification by NAD, RID, or BEI. If the certification of a generalist interpreter is suspended or revoked by NAD, RID, or BEI because the generalist interpreter failed to complete the required continuing education, the Commission shall initiate proceedings under Article 3 against the generalist interpreter's license.

2. A Class A legal interpreter shall complete continuing education required by NAD, RID, or BEI to maintain legal certification by NAD, RID, or BEI. If the certification of a Class A legal interpreter is suspended or revoked by NAD, RID, or BEI because the Class A legal interpreter failed to complete the required continuing education, the Commission shall initiate proceedings under Article 3 against the legal interpreter's license.

3. A Class C or D legal interpreter shall complete continuing education required by NAD, RID, or BEI to maintain certification by NAD, RID, or BEI including at least 20 hours of legal training. If the certification of a Class C or D legal interpreter is suspended or revoked by NAD, RID, or BEI because the Class C or D legal interpreter failed to complete the required continuing education or if the Class C or D legal interpreter fails to complete the required hours of legal training, the Commission shall initiate proceedings under Article 3 against the legal interpreter's license.

4. When renewing a license under R9-26-507(B), a provisional interpreter shall submit the evidence required under subsection (B) showing completion of 12 hours of continuing education. The Commission shall accept continuing education:

a. Designed to enhance the provisional licensee's skill and ability to provide quality interpreting to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community;

b. Approved by RID, NAD, or BEI, as applicable, for certification maintenance;

c. Provided by an accredited institution of higher education; or

d. Provided by an entity involved with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

B. A provisional licensee shall obtain from the provider of a continuing education attended by the licensee documentation that includes:

1. Licensee's name,

2. Name of the continuing education provider,

3. Name of the continuing education,

4. Number of hours of attendance, and

5. Date of the continuing education.

C. Waiver of continuing education requirement.

1. To obtain a waiver of the continuing education requirement, a provisional licensee shall submit to the Commission a written request that includes the following:

a. The period for which the waiver is requested,

b. Continuing education completed during the current license year and the documentation required under subsection (B), and

c. Reason a waiver is needed and supporting documentation:

i. For military service. A copy of current orders or a letter on official letterhead from the licensee's commanding officer;

ii. For absence from the United States. A copy of pages from the licensee's passport showing exit and reentry dates;

iii. For disability. A letter from the licensee's treating physician stating the nature of the disability; and

iv. For circumstances beyond the licensee's control. A letter from the licensee stating the nature of the circumstances and documentation that provides evidence of the circumstances.

2. The Commission shall grant a request for waiver of the continuing education requirement that:

a. Is based on a reason listed in subsection (C)(1)(c),

b. Is supported by the required documentation,

c. Is submitted no sooner than 60 days before and no later than the license expiration date, and

d. Will promote the safe and professional practice of interpreting in this state.

D. Extension of time to complete continuing education requirement.

1. To obtain an extension of time to complete the continuing education requirement, a provisional licensee shall submit to the Commission a written request that includes the following:

a. Ending date of the requested extension,

b. Continuing education completed during the current license year and the documentation required under subsection (B),

c. Proof of registration for additional continuing education that is sufficient to enable the provisional licensee to complete all continuing education required for license renewal before the end of the requested extension, and

d. Licensee's attestation that the continuing education obtained under the extension will be reported only to fulfill the current license renewal requirement and will not be reported on a subsequent license renewal application.

2. The Commission shall grant a request for an extension that:

a. Specifies an ending date no more than three months from the current license expiration date,

b. Includes the required documentation and attestation,

c. Is submitted no sooner than 60 days before and no later than the license expiration date, and

d. Will promote the safe and professional practice of interpreting in this state.

E. Except as provided in subsection (D), a provisional licensee shall report only hours of continuing education obtained during the license year immediately preceding license renewal. A licensee shall not carry over hours in excess of those required under subsection (A)(4) to a subsequent license year.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-26-510

Adopted effective April 4, 1997 (Supp. 97-2). Section repealed; new Section made by final rulemaking at 13 A.A.R. 1720, effective May 1, 2007 (Supp. 07-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 22 A.A.R. 1675, effective 8/15/2016.