NAC656A.240. Apprentice level interpreter in community setting: Application; qualifications; participation in plan of mentoring; prohibition on practice in certain settings; requirements for acceptance of assignments.

     1. To apply for and maintain registration as an interpreter in a community setting as an apprentice level interpreter, a person must:

     (a) Have at least a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma.

     (b) Hold in good standing:

          (1) Level 2 certification from the National Association of the Deaf;

          (2) Level II certification from the American Consortium of Certified Interpreters; or

          (3) A score of 3.5 to 3.9 on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment.

     (c) Be a person who is deaf or hard of hearing in the process of becoming a certified deaf interpreter through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or have successfully completed an accredited interpreter preparation program.

     (d) Participate in the Associate Continuing Education Tracking program, with at least 75 contact hours of continuing education every 3 years, or maintain a professional development plan provided by the Division.

     (e) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, participate in a plan of mentoring, with at least 40 hours of mentoring every 3 years, with a mentor who is certified with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. A person who is not certified with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf but who is deemed by the Division to be competent in American Sign Language and to be knowledgeable about the deaf culture may serve as a mentor if he or she has passed the written portion of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment or the exam provided by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, is able to show proof of completion of a course in mentorship training which has been approved by the Division or holds an associate’s degree or a higher degree in interpretation, English or a related field from an accredited college or university. A mentor must have a working knowledge of English, American Sign Language and any other relevant languages, and a working knowledge of interpreting methodologies, the interpreter code of ethics and other skills salient to the mentoring relationship. The plan of mentoring must be signed by the apprentice level interpreter and his or her mentor. Any hours of mentoring which exceed the 40 hours of mentoring required pursuant to this paragraph may be applied toward the hours of continuing education the apprentice level interpreter is required to complete.

     2. If an apprentice level interpreter is not required to have continuing education units by his or her certifying body, the interpreter must participate in a professional development plan provided by the Division.

     3. An apprentice level interpreter shall not engage in the practice of interpreting in a medical or legal setting.

     4. An apprentice level interpreter shall only accept assignments:

     (a) In which the apprentice is teamed with or accompanied by a certified interpreter at the skilled level or above; and

     (b) With due caution and care commensurate with his or her skills and experience.

     (Added to NAC by Office of Disability Services by R210-08, eff. 10-1-2008; A by Aging & Disability Services Div. by R151-09, 8-13-2010)