Section 216-RICR-40-05-21.3 - Professional Licensure Requirements21.3.1Qualifications of Applicants for Licensure CertifiedA. License Required. 1. No person shall practice or hold him or herself out as being able to practice interpreting, educational interpreting, or intermediary interpreting as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-71-3 and this Part unless he or she holds a license.2. No person shall hold himself or herself out as being able to practice under the Act and this Part unless he or she is licensed pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-71-9(b).B. Licensure. To be eligible for licensure by the Department as a certified interpreter or certified deaf interpreter, the applicant shall meet the qualifications of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-71-8.C. To be eligible for licensure by the Department as an educational interpreter for the deaf, the applicant shall meet all of the requirements set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-71-8.D. Screened 1. To be eligible for licensure by the Department as a screened interpreter or screened deaf interpreter, the applicant shall:a. Be of good moral character;b. Meet the screened requirements as defined in this Part;c. Successfully complete a recognized state screening or state equivalent within the United States. For the purposes of this Part, a state screening or a state equivalent shall be current and valid; andd. Submit written verification of successful completion of the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Performance Evaluation (written) or present evidence of completion of coursework in American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and the Code of Ethics. Such coursework may be completed as part of an interpreter training program, or through individual workshops sponsored by a recognized organization or agency or other training recognized by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.21.3.2Persons and Practices ExemptedA. Persons and practices exempted are in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-71-15.B. Emergencies 1. In the event of an emergency, the consumer may elect to use the services of a non-licensed interpreter.21.3.3LicensureA. Licensure shall be granted in accordance with the provisions in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-71-9.B. Categories of Licensure 1. Three types of licensure may be issued to interpreters. a. A certified license shall be granted to interpreters who meet the requirements of §21.3.1(B) of this Part. The two (2) types of certified licenses are: (1) Certified interpreter; and(2) Certified deaf interpreter.b. A screened license of limited duration determined by the Board shall be granted to interpreters who: (1) Have met the educational requirements in §21.3.1(C) of this Part; and(2) Who have successfully completed a recognized state screening or state equivalent, as determined by the Department in consultation with the Board.(3) The two (2) types of screened licenses are: (AA) Screened interpreter; and(BB) Screened deaf interpreter.c. An educational interpreter license may be granted to an interpreter who meets the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-71-8.21.3.4Application and FeesA. Application for licensure by the Board as an interpreter shall be made on forms provided by the Department. These forms shall be completed and submitted to the Department. 1. Such application shall be accompanied by the following: a. Documentation of certified membership from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID); or a recognized state screening or state equivalent and documentation of successful completion of the requirements set forth in §21.3.1 of this Part; andb. A non-refundable fee as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title). In no case shall said fee be returned.21.3.5Expiration and Renewal of LicenseA. Every person licensed under the provisions of the Act and this Part who desires to continue licensure as an interpreter shall present evidence satisfactory to the Board that the interpreter has completed a prescribed course of continuing education in accordance with the requirements of §21.3.7 of this Part.B. The license of every person licensed under the provisions of the Act and this Part shall expire on the first day of July of the next year following the date of his/her license.C. Every licensed interpreter who desires to renew his/her license shall file a renewal application with the Department for each license. Such application shall include payment of the fee as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title) before the first day of July in each year. Upon receipt of such application and payment of said fee, the accuracy of the application shall be verified and the Department shall grant a renewal license effective July 1st and expiring twelve (12) months thereafter.21.3.6EndorsementA. Applicants who hold a valid license, certificate, or equivalent issued within another state, provided that the requirements under which that license, certificate, or equivalent was issued meet or exceed the standards required by the Act, and who otherwise meet the requirements of this Part, may be issued a license under the provisions of the Act and this Part.B. An individual whose license, certification, permit, or equivalent form of permission issued within another state has been revoked, suspended or currently placed on probation shall not be eligible for consideration for licensure unless they have first disclosed to the Department such disciplinary actions.21.3.7Continuing Education RequirementsA. All certified licensed interpreters, licensed screened interpreters and educational interpreters shall be required to complete five (5) hours of continuing education each year. 1. Courses deemed acceptable for continuing education shall be those approved by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.B. It shall be the sole responsibility of the individual licensee to obtain documentation from the approved sponsoring or co-sponsoring organization, agency, or institution of his/her participation in a continuing education program and/or activity that shall include no less than the date, time, subject matter, name of lecturer or teacher, the number of hours of credit earned, and such other pertinent data. 1. Such documentation shall be safeguarded by the licensee for review by the Board as may be requested.2. Such documents shall furthermore be retained by each licensee for no less than three (3) years and shall be subject to random audit by the Board.C. Licensees initially licensed after the July 1st renewal date shall be exempt from the continuing education requirements stated in this Part until the date of the next renewal cycle (i.e., June 30th of the next year).D. A license renewal may be denied to any applicant who fails to provide satisfactory evidence of continuing education relevant to interpreting as required in this Part.E. An extension of time to complete the continuing education requirements may be granted to a licensee solely at the discretion of the Department, in consultation with the Board, for reasons of hardship or other extenuating circumstances.216 R.I. Code R. § 216-RICR-40-05-21.3