SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLITERATORS

chapter 361	licensure of sign language interpreters and transliterators	
chapter 362	continuing education for sign language interpreters and transliterators	
chapter 363	discipline for sign language interpreters and transliterators	
CHAPTER 361
LICENSURE OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLITERATORS
645—361.1(154E) Definitions. For purposes of these rules, the following definitions shall apply:
“Active interpreter or transliterator services” means the actual time spent personally providing interpreting or transliterating services or providing interpreting or transliterating services through videoconferencing or remotely. When in a team interpreting situation, the time spent monitoring while the team interpreter is actively interpreting shall not be included in the time spent personally providing interpreting or transliterating services.
“Active license” means a license that is current and has not expired.
“Board” means the board of sign language interpreters and transliterators.
“Direct supervision of a temporary license holder” means monitoring of interpreting or transliterating services while personally observing the temporary license holder providing those services, as outlined in paragraphs 361.3(4)“b” and “c.”
“Grace period” means the 30-day period following expiration of a license when the license is still considered to be active. In order to renew a license during the grace period, a licensee is required to pay a late fee.
“Inactive license” means a license that has expired because it was not renewed by the end of the grace period. The category of “inactive license” may include licenses formerly known as lapsed, inactive, delinquent, closed, or retired.
“Licensee” means any person licensed to practice as a sign language interpreter or transliterator in the state of Iowa.
“License expiration date” means June 30 of odd-numbered years.
“Licensure by endorsement” means the issuance of an Iowa license to practice as a sign language interpreter or transliterator to an applicant who is or has been licensed in another state.
“Reactivate” or “reactivation” means the process as outlined in rule 645—361.9(17A,147,272C) by which an inactive license is restored to active status.
“Reciprocal license” means the issuance of an Iowa license to practice as a sign language interpreter or transliterator to an applicant who is currently licensed in another state that has a mutual agreement with the Iowa board of sign language interpreters and transliterators to license persons who have the same or similar qualifications to those required in Iowa.
“Reinstatement” means the process as outlined in 645—11.31(272C) by which a licensee who has had a license suspended or revoked or who has voluntarily surrendered a license may apply to have the license reinstated, with or without conditions. Once the license is reinstated, the licensee may apply for active status.
“Supervisor” means a sign language interpreter or transliterator licensed pursuant to Iowa Code section 154E.3 and subrule 361.2(1) who provides on-site evaluations and advisory sessions with a temporary license holder for the purpose of the professional development of that temporary license holder.
[ARC 2744C, IAB 10/12/16, effective 11/16/16; ARC 6146C, IAB 1/12/22, effective 2/16/22]
645—361.2(154E) Requirements for licensure.
	361.2(1) The following criteria shall apply to licensure:
	a. 	The applicant shall complete a board-approved application. Application forms may be obtained from the board’s website (www.idph.iowa.gov/licensure) or directly from the board office. The applicant may complete the application online at ibplicense.iowa.gov.
	b. 	The applicant shall complete the application form according to the instructions contained in the application. If the application is not completed according to the instructions, the application will not be reviewed until properly completed.
	c. 	The application fee shall be paid prior to issuance of license. The preferred payment method is by debit card, credit card, or check or money order made to the Board of Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators. The fees are nonrefundable.
	d. 	No application will be considered until official documentation is received to establish that the applicant meets one of the following:
	(1)	Passes the National Association of the Deaf/Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (NAD/RID) National Interpreter Certification (NIC) examination after November 30, 2011; or
	(2)	Passes one of the following examinations administered by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID):
	1.	Oral Transliteration Certificate (OTC); or
	2.	Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI); or
	(3)	Passes the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) with a score of 3.5 or above after December 31, 1999; or
	(4)	Passes the Cued Language Transliterator National Certification Examination (CLTNCE) administered by The National Certifying Body for Cued Language Transliterators; or
	(5)	Currently holds one of the following NAD/RID certifications awarded through November 30, 2011, by the National Council on Interpreting (NCI):
	1.	National Interpreter Certification (NIC); or
	2.	National Interpreter Certification Advanced (NIC Advanced); or
	3.	National Interpreter Certification Master (NIC Master); or
	(6)	Currently holds one of the following certifications previously awarded by the RID:
	1.	Certificate of Interpretation (CI); or
	2.	Certificate of Transliteration (CT); or
	3.	Certificate of Interpretation and Certificate of Transliteration (CI and CT); or
	4.	Interpretation Certificate/Transliteration Certificate (IC/TC); or
	5.	Comprehensive Skills Certificate (CSC); or
	(7)	Currently holds one of the following certifications previously awarded by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD):
	1.	NAD III (Generalist); or
	2.	NAD IV (Advanced); or
	3.	NAD V (Master); or
	(8)	Currently holds an advanced certification awarded by the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI).
	e. 	It is the responsibility of the applicant to make arrangements to take the examination and have the official results submitted directly to the Board of Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators.
	361.2(2) Licensees who were issued their licenses within six months prior to the renewal shall not be required to renew their licenses until the renewal cycle two years later.
	361.2(3) Incomplete applications that have been on file in the board office for more than two years shall be considered invalid and shall be destroyed.
	361.2(4) An applicant who has relocated to Iowa from a state that did not require licensure to practice the profession may submit proof of work experience in lieu of educational and training requirements, if eligible, in accordance with rule 645—19.2(272C).
[ARC 7643B, IAB 3/25/09, effective 4/29/09; ARC 0405C, IAB 10/17/12, effective 11/21/12; ARC 2744C, IAB 10/12/16, effective 11/16/16; ARC 5773C, IAB 7/14/21, effective 8/18/21; ARC 6146C, IAB 1/12/22, effective 2/16/22]
645—361.3(154E) Requirements for temporary license.
	361.3(1) An applicant who has not successfully completed one of the board-approved examinations or does not hold an approved certification set forth in paragraph 361.2(1)“d” and submits the online application and fee for a temporary license shall cause documentation to be submitted from the examination program to the board that verifies the applicant has passed one of the following:
	a. 	The written portion of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) examination;
	b. 	The written portion of the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) examination;
	c. 	The written portion of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) examination;
	d. 	The EIPA prehire examination at the highest recommended level;
	e. 	An associate degree or higher from a formal interpreter training program (ITP) with a regionally accredited college or university. An official transcript shall verify completion;
	f. 	The American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) at the 2+ level or higher; or
	g. 	The Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) at the intermediate level or higher.
	361.3(2) An applicant for a temporary license shall submit a written supervisory agreement that complies with the requirements stated in subrule 361.3(4). The temporary license shall be valid for two years from the initial issue date. A temporary license holder may renew a temporary license once for the immediately following two-year period.
	361.3(3) An applicant who is issued a temporary license is subject to the same requirements as those required of a licensed interpreter or transliterator set forth in Iowa Code chapters 154E and 147 and 645—Chapters 361 to 363.
	361.3(4) A temporary license holder is only authorized to practice if the following direct supervision requirements are fulfilled. A temporary license holder must:
	a. 	Enter into a written agreement with a supervisor in which the temporary license holder and the supervisor agree to the minimum requirements provided in paragraphs  361.3(4)“b” and “c.” The supervisor shall possess a full, unrestricted sign language interpreter and transliterator license. The agreement shall be signed and dated by the temporary license holder and the supervisor; shall include the temporary license holder’s and supervisor’s names, addresses and contact information; and shall be provided to the board with the application for a temporary license.
	b. 	Have a supervisor observe the temporary license holder in active practice for no fewer than six bimonthly observation sessions per year at events lasting at least 30 minutes each, if the temporary license holder is working alone in providing active interpreter or transliterator services, or at least 60 minutes each, if the temporary license holder is working in a team interpreting situation. At least two of the observation sessions must be in person, and the remainder of the observation sessions may be performed through technology that allows direct observation of the temporary license holder providing active interpreter or transliterator services.
	c. 	Attend at least six bimonthly advisory sessions with the supervisor per year for the purpose of discussing the supervisor’s suggestions for the temporary license holder’s professional skill development based on the observation sessions. An advisory session may occur immediately following an observation session if the setting is appropriate. At least two of the advisory sessions must be in person and the remainder of the advisory sessions may be performed through technology that allows real-time assessment and feedback. Each advisory session shall involve only the temporary license holder and supervisor.
	d. 	Maintain an event log documenting the date, time, length and setting of each observation session and advisory session and whether the session was performed in person or through other technological means. The temporary license holder shall ensure that the supervisor verifies the occurrence of the observation session or advisory session by placing the temporary license holder’s signature on the log prior to submission to the supervisor. This event log shall be provided to the board upon request and must be submitted with the temporary license holder’s renewal application.
	e. 	Ensure that the supervisor attends each of the observation sessions and advisory sessions or reschedules the sessions as necessary to ensure compliance.
	f. 	Comply with the required observation session and advisory session obligations. If for any reason the replacement of a supervisor becomes necessary, the temporary license holder shall be responsible for developing a new written agreement with the new supervisor. A replacement of supervisors shall not excuse noncompliance with observation session and advisory session obligations.
	g. 	Obtain permission from clients as necessary to allow the supervisor to be in attendance during the observation sessions.
	361.3(5) As an Iowa-licensed practitioner in accordance with this chapter, a supervisor providing direct supervision of a temporary license holder as provided in subrule 361.3(4) is obligated to report to the board an interpreter or transliterator temporary license holder who is not complying with direct supervision requirements or who is not practicing in compliance with Iowa law and rules including, but not limited to, Iowa Code chapter 154E and 645—Chapters 361 to 363.
[ARC 2744C, IAB 10/12/16, effective 11/16/16; ARC 6146C, IAB 1/12/22, effective 2/16/22]
645—361.4(154E) Licensure by endorsement.
	361.4(1) An applicant who has been a licensed sign language interpreter or transliterator under the laws of another jurisdiction shall file an application for licensure by endorsement with the board office. The board may receive by endorsement any applicant from the District of Columbia or another state, territory, province or foreign country who:
	a. 	Submits to the board a completed application;
	b. 	Pays the licensure fee;
	c. 	Shows evidence of licensure requirements that are similar to those required in Iowa;
	d. 	Provides an equivalency evaluation of foreign educational credentials sent directly from the equivalency service to the board;
	e. 	Provides:
	(1)	Examination scores which shall be sent directly from the examination service to the board; or
	(2)	A notarized certificate which shall be submitted showing proof of the successful completion of the examination specified in rule  645—361.2(154E); and
	f. 	Provides verification of license(s) from every jurisdiction in which the applicant has been licensed, sent directly from the jurisdiction(s) to the board office. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification directly from the jurisdiction’s board office if the verification provides:
	(1)	The licensee’s name;
	(2)	The date of initial licensure;
	(3)	Current licensure status; and
	(4)	Any disciplinary action taken against the license.
	361.4(2) Licensure by verification. A person who is licensed in another jurisdiction but who is unable to satisfy the requirements for licensure by endorsement may apply for licensure by verification, if eligible, in accordance with rule 645—19.1(272C).
[ARC 2744C, IAB 10/12/16, effective 11/16/16; ARC 5773C, IAB 7/14/21, effective 8/18/21]
645—361.5(154E) License renewal.
	361.5(1) The biennial license renewal period for a license to practice as a sign language interpreter or transliterator shall begin on July 1 of an odd-numbered year and end on June 30 of the next odd-numbered year. The licensee is responsible for renewing the license prior to its expiration. Failure of the licensee to receive notice from the board does not relieve the licensee of the responsibility for renewing the license.
	361.5(2) An individual who was issued a license within six months of the license renewal date will not be required to renew the license until the subsequent renewal date two years later.
	361.5(3) A licensee seeking renewal shall:
	a. 	Meet the continuing education requirements as provided in 645—subrules 362.2(1) and 362.2(2) or, in lieu of meeting such requirements, provide proof of a current national interpreter certification issued by an organization recognized by the board (e.g., Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID); National Association of the Deaf (NAD); NAD-RID National Interpreter Certification (NIC)) as evidence of meeting continuing education requirements. A licensee whose license was reactivated during the current biennial license period may use continuing education credit earned during the compliance period for the first renewal following reactivation; and
	b. 	Submit the completed renewal application and renewal fee before the license expiration date.
	361.5(4) Upon receiving the information required by this rule and the required fee, board staff shall administratively issue a two-year license. In the event the board receives adverse information on the renewal application, the board shall issue the renewal license but may refer the adverse information for further consideration or disciplinary investigation.
	361.5(5) A person licensed to practice as a sign language interpreter or transliterator shall keep the person’s license certificate and renewal displayed in a conspicuous public place at the primary site of practice.
	361.5(6) Late renewal. The license shall become late when the license has not been renewed by the expiration date on the renewal. The licensee shall be assessed a late fee as specified in 645—subrule 5.18(4). To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.
	361.5(7) Inactive license. A licensee who fails to renew the license by the end of the grace period has an inactive license. A licensee whose license is inactive continues to hold the privilege of licensure in Iowa, but may not practice as a sign language interpreter or transliterator in Iowa until the license is reactivated. A licensee who practices as a sign language interpreter or transliterator in the state of Iowa with an inactive license may be subject to disciplinary action by the board, injunctive action pursuant to Iowa Code section 147.83, criminal sanctions pursuant to Iowa Code section 147.86, and other available legal remedies.
[ARC 9427B, IAB 3/23/11, effective 4/27/11; ARC 5773C, IAB 7/14/21, effective 8/18/21]
645—361.6 to 361.8  Reserved.
645—361.9(17A,147,272C) License reactivation. To apply for reactivation of an inactive license, a licensee shall:
	361.9(1) Submit a reactivation application on a form provided by the board.
	361.9(2) Pay the reactivation fee that is due as specified in 645—subrule 5.18(9).
	361.9(3) Provide verification of current competence to practice sign language interpreting or transliterating by satisfying one of the following criteria:
	a. 	If the license has been on inactive status for five years or less, an applicant must provide the following:
	(1)	Verification of the license(s) from every jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been licensed and is or has been practicing during the time period in which the Iowa license was inactive sent directly from the jurisdiction(s) to the board office. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification from a jurisdiction’s board office if the verification includes:
	1.	The licensee’s name;
	2.	The date of initial licensure;
	3.	Current licensure status; and
	4.	Any disciplinary action taken against the license; and
	(2)	Verification of completing 40 hours of continuing education within two years of the application for reactivation; and
	(3)	Verification of a current certification as identified in subrule 361.2(1), or of passing an examination identified in subrule 361.2(1), which was passed after the license became inactive.
	b. 	If the license has been on inactive status for more than five years, an applicant must provide the following:
	(1)	Verification of the license(s) from every jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been licensed and is or has been practicing during the time period in which the Iowa license was inactive sent directly from the jurisdiction(s) to the board office. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification from a jurisdiction’s board office if the verification includes:
	1.	The licensee’s name;
	2.	The date of initial licensure;
	3.	Current licensure status; and
	4.	Any disciplinary action taken against the license; and
	(2)	Verification of completion of 80 hours of continuing education within two years of application for reactivation; and
	(3)	Verification of a current certification as identified in subrule 361.2(1), or of passing an examination identified in subrule 361.2(1), which was passed after the license became inactive.
[ARC 6146C, IAB 1/12/22, effective 2/16/22]
645—361.10(17A,147,272C) License reinstatement. A licensee whose license has been revoked, suspended, or voluntarily surrendered must apply for and receive reinstatement of the license in accordance with 645—11.31(272C) and must apply for and be granted reactivation of the license in accordance with 645—361.9(17A,147,272C) prior to practicing sign language interpreting or transliterating in this state.
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapters 17A, 147, 154E and 272C.
[Filed 4/28/05, Notice 3/16/05—published 5/25/05, effective 7/1/05]
[Filed 11/29/05, Notice 9/14/05—published 12/21/05, effective 1/25/06]
[Filed 2/20/07, Notice 12/20/06—published 3/14/07, effective 4/18/07]
[Filed 2/19/08, Notice 12/19/07—published 3/12/08, effective 4/2/08]
[Filed 8/21/08, Notice 6/18/08—published 9/24/08, effective 10/29/08]
[Filed ARC 7643B (Notice ARC 7407B, IAB 12/17/08), IAB 3/25/09, effective 4/29/09]
[Filed ARC 9427B (Notice ARC 9259B, IAB 12/15/10), IAB 3/23/11, effective 4/27/11]
[Filed ARC 0405C (Notice ARC 0228C, IAB 7/25/12), IAB 10/17/12, effective 11/21/12]
[Filed ARC 2744C (Notice ARC 2597C, IAB 6/22/16), IAB 10/12/16, effective 11/16/16]
[Filed ARC 5773C (Notice ARC 5459C, IAB 2/24/21), IAB 7/14/21, effective 8/18/21]
[Filed ARC 6146C (Notice ARC 5821C, IAB 8/11/21), IAB 1/12/22, effective 2/16/22]