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NH Interpreter Licensure Board
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About Interpreter Licensure
Interpreter Licencing Brochure .pdf
Introduction The New Hampshire Interpreter Licensure law, RSA 326-I which became effective January 1, 2003 requires that interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing hold a license in order to receive remuneration and to practice as an interpreter in New Hampshire. A license is good for three years and shall automatically expire on the first day of September, three years after the date the license was issued by the board. An interpreter who wishes to apply for a license in New Hampshire submits an application provided by the board and pays the application fee. License applications may be obtained by contacting the New Hampshire Board of Licensure of Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, c/o Adult Learning and Rehabilitation, Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 20, Concord, NH 03301 or on this website. The required criteria may be found in the statute RSA 326-I:9 I (LINK) and in the rules Chapter 300 Int 301.01(k) and (l). Licensure is not required for volunteering, or working in religious or educational (K-12) settings. Interpreters working in K-12 settings for deaf or hard of hearing students in instructional or extra curricular activities must obtain certification from the Department of Education. Interpreters working in emergency situations where the parties determine that the delay to obtain a licensed interpreter is likely to cause injury or loss are exempt. Interpreters working for a school district shall not relieve a school district of its obligation to provide licensed interpreters to students, staff, parents or others when required by the Americans for Disabilities Act or by any other federal or state law. The above may be referenced in the statute RSA 326-I:7 IV and in the rules Chapter 300 Int 301.01 (b). Licensed interpreters are obligated to obey the professional conduct standards and professional principles as set forth in the rules Chapter 500, Int 501.03 and Int 501.04 respectively. The Board of Licensure holds statutory jurisdiction to make decisions on applications for licensure and complaints filed against licensees. A written allegation of professional misconduct against a licensed interpreter should be addressed to the board. A complaint which raises genuine issues of professional misconduct will initiate a formal disciplinary hearing. A prehearing conference can be scheduled if the presiding officer determines that to do so would facilitate the hearing or encourage resolution of the dispute. The above may be referenced in the statute RSA 326-I:4 III and 326-I:14 and 15 (LINK) and in the rules Chapter 200 Int 204.01-03 and Int 210. |
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Non-resident interpreters certified by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf/National Association of the Deaf (RID/NAD) or the American Consortium of Certified Interpreters (ACCI), levels IV and V, who have completed RID/NAD-approved legal interpreter training or who hold a legal specialty certificate (RID SCL:L) when working in court settings in New Hampshire are not required to be licensed, provided that such interpreter shall be subject to disciplinary procedures of the board. In special circumstances, a deaf or hard of hearing citizen may apply in advance for a waiver from using a licensed interpreter for that one instance. Applications are available from the Program for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Vocational Rehabilitation, 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 20, Concord, NH 03301, 603-271-1483 TTY, 603-271-3471 Voice/TTY, 603-271-7095 Fax or click here to download. Application (downloadable- Microsoft Word Document) Waiver Form (downloadable- Microsoft Word Document) Contact the NH Interpreter Licensure Board List of Licensed Sign Language Interpreters More
About the Rights to an Interpreter for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Persons
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Minutes:
NH Interpreter Licensure Board Meeting
NH Interpreter Licensure Board
Meeting Minutes
November 18, 2008
VR Central Office
Walker Building, Concord, NH
Board Members Present: Chris Emerson (Chair), Michael Schock, Terry Linehan, Elizabeth Brown, Karen Phillips, Cindy Wallace, Izabella Kantsepolsky and Marie Desrosiers
Others present: VR staff: Joan Holleran, H. Dee Clanton, Lynn Littlefield; Interpreters: Cheryle Giberson, Lianne Moccia; CART: Nancy Swiniarski; Guests: Dawn Welshman, Susan Wolf-Downes
Board members absent: Shannon Grundy
Call to Order
1. The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. The minutes of August 26th were reviewed and accepted as written.
Old Business
2. Membership Update: New member Marie Desrosiers was welcomed. Introductions were made.
3. Waiver Report: Dee reported there were three requests and explained the circumstances of each.
4. Update on Apprenticeship: It was the consensus of the Board that action on this issue be delayed for the immediate future.
5. Update on Proposed FAQ Sheet: Terry reported that she and Bella had not yet been able to meet together on this issue. However, Terry advised the Board that she has collected FAQ sheets from some other licensure boards’ websites and will email this information to Lynn. The NH FAQ document will be finalized by Terry and Bella and will be presented to the Board at its February Meeting.
State Screened Interpreters in Emergency Room situations: The August 26th minutes indicated that Shannon and Chris would work on this. There are two basic issues: 1) The usage of Deaf Talk for which the Board has no authority, and 2) should the board write a letter to hospitals to let them know that state screened interpreters may not be appropriate for emergency medical situations. Much discussion followed.
MOTION: Terry Linehan made the following Motion: “That the Board write a letter to all hospitals as a reminder that NH requires licensure for all sign language interpreters.
SECOND: Cindy seconded.
Discussion. Sue Wolf-Downes stated that she felt there was a need for the letter to warn against hiring state screened interpreters in emergency room situations but board members agreed that is not the board’s role or responsibility. Elizabeth made an amendment to Terry’s motion suggesting that if a letter is written that it be reviewed by attorney assigned to the Board from the Attorney General’s office to insure it complies with the Board’s statutory authority. Karen seconded. Bella made an amendment that the letter contain an attachment of a list of referral agencies. Mike seconded.
The Amended Motion was unanimously approved. The amended Motion is as follows: That the Board write a letter to NH hospitals to inform them that RSA 326-I requires licensure of all sign language interpreters, and that the letter be vetted to the Board’s assigned attorney at the Attorney General’s Office. The letter will contain a listing of all referral agencies. It was agreed that Terry and Cindy will work together on the letter.
New Business
8. Does NH Accept Florida QAST as equivalent screening: An interpreter who holds Florida QAST has put this question to the Board. A discussion on how to determine whether it is equivalent to the NH screening. The Board has made the determination of equivalency relative to the Massachusetts state screening, in order that interpreters holding that screening would be eligible for licensure. The Board was not clear as to whether the Florida QAST was on the same level as the Massachusetts state screening.
The individual who had posed this question is moving to NH. However, it was not clear as to when or if the person has relocated to NH. Karen and Dee will work to research this question.
9. Adjudication Workshop: Karen and Terry attended the Department of Justice workshop on October 3rd.
They reported that among the things that they learned is that Board, business cannot be conducted via email because then the public has no access. In addition, the training brought forth that all State created Boards are assigned an attorney from the Attorney General’s Office available as a resource. The Department of Justice encourages any new board members to attend that training and it is a real benefit in helping board members to understand and be aware of the board’s role and responsibilities. As a result of the training, Karen, working with Lynn developed a notebook containing the materials studied at the training for board members. It was decided that members should study these between now and the next meeting.
7. Chris closed the public meeting for consideration of the Board regarding a complaint, 08-02.
NEXT MEETINGS:
February 10th 6:00-8:30 p.m.
March 10th (snow date for February 10th) 6:00-8:30 p.m.
April 14th 6:00-8:30 p.m.
June 9th 6:00-8:30 p.m.
August 11th 6:00-8:30 p.m.
October 13th 6:00-8:30 p.m.
December 8th 6:00-8:30 p.m.
January 12th 2010 (snow date for December 8th) 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned
Members of the Licensure Board
Karen Phillips, NHRID rep
Cindy Wallace, NHRID rep
Terry Linehan, NHRID rep
Shannon Grundy, NHRID rep
Mike Shock, NHAD rep
Lori McLaren, NHAD rep
Chris Emerson, NHAD rep
Bella Kantsepolsky, rep for oral deaf community
Elizabeth V. Brown, rep for hearing community