| License Description |
Occupational Description
Sign Language/Spoken English Interpreters are highly skilled professionals that facilitate communication between hearing individuals and the deaf or hard-of-hearing. They are a crucial communication tool utilized by all people involved in a communication setting.
Interpreters must be able to listen to another person's words, inflections, and intent, and simultaneously render them into the visual language of signs using the mode of communication preferred by the deaf consumer. The interpreter must also be able to comprehend the signs, inflections, and intent of the deaf consumer, and simultaneously speak them in articulate, appropriate English.
They must understand the cultures in which they work and apply that knowledge to promote effective cross-cultural communications.
An Intermediary Interpreter is a deaf or hard of hearing person who is able to assist in providing an accurate interpretation between spoken English and sign language or between variants of sign language in order to facilitate communication between a deaf or hard of hearing person and an interpreter.
A Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Provider is a person or an entity licensed to provide video remote interpreting services.
Licensure Requirements
Interpreter/Transliterator - An applicant for an Interpreter or Transliterator license to practice interpreting or
transliterating for deaf or hard of hearing individuals in Nebraska must:
1) Have completed one of the following:
a) Hold a valid interpreter certification awarded by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID), except for Ed:K-12; or
b) Hold a valid level IV or higher on the Interpreter Proficiency Certificate awarded by the National Association of the Deaf
(NAD); or
c) Hold a valid level IV or higher in Interpreting or Transliterating on the Mid-America Quality Assurance Screening Test (QAST) awarded by the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; or
d) Hold a state certification or licensure that is substantially equivalent to one of the above and approved by the Full Commission Board; and
2) Be 18 years of age or older; and
3) Have documentation of a high school diploma or equivalent, or proof of higher education.
Intermediary License - An applicant for an Intermediary license to practice interpreting or transliterating for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Nebraska must:
1) Have completed one of the following sets of requirements:
a) Hold a valid interpreter certification awarded by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID);
Certified Deaf Interpreter Certification; or
b) Have written documentation of the following:
i) Passed a written English language proficiency examination at the minimum of an advanced level or equivalent; and
ii) Passed a written examination on ethics and ethical behavior for sign language interpreting; and
iii) Completed 8 hours of training on ethics and ethical behavior for sign language interpreting, and 8 hours of training related to the role and function of a deaf or hard of hearing intermediary interpreter, which is approved by the Full Commission Board; or
iv) Hold a state certification or licensure that is substantially equivalent to one of the above and approved by the Full Commission Board; and
c) Be 18 years of age or older; and
d) Have documentation of a high school diploma or equivalent or proof of higher education.
Temporary Permit - Must meet the requirements as required for an Interpreter/Transliterator or Intermediary License.
A Temporary Permit is valid for a maximum of 14 days per calendar year. At the end of the calendar year, permit holders must
submit a record, on a form supplied by the Commission, of interpreting service hours provided in Nebraska except for any exception outlined in Neb. Rev. Stat. §20-156.1.
Apprentice License - An Apprentice License is a one-time license valid for three years allowing applicants to practice while working toward obtaining community sign language licensure requirements as outlined in the Interpreter/Transliterator license requirements. In accordance with the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct, license holders will practice in settings where the outcomes do not have potentially serious ramifications for any parties involved. At the end of each 12-month period, apprentice license holders must submit a record, on a form supplied by the Commission, of interpreting service hours provided in Nebraska.
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI Providers - A license is required to practice interpreting or transliterating. In accordance with Neb.
Rev. Stat. §20-150 to §20-159, except as otherwise provided in section §20-156.01, no person or entity shall:
(a) practice as an interpreter for the deaf or hard of hearing for compensation,
(b) hold himself, herself, or itself out as a licensed interpreter for the deaf or hard of
hearing,
(c) provide video remote interpreting services,
(d) use the title Licensed Interpreter for the Deaf or Licensed Transliterator for the Deaf, or use any other title or abbreviation to indicate that the person or entity is a licensed interpreter unless licensed by the state of Nebraska.
Eligibility criteria to obatin a Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Business License:
1) An applicant for a business license to provide VRI services for deaf or hard of hearing individuals in Nebraska must assure all employed and contracted sign language interpreters meet the following criteria:
a) Have completed one or more of the following:
i) Hold a valid certification awarded by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID), except for Ed:K-12; or
ii) Hold a valid level IV or higher on the Interpreter Proficiency Certificate awarded by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD); or
iii) Hold a valid level IV or higher in Interpreting or Transliterating on the Mid-America Quality Assurance Screening Test (QAST) awarded by the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; or
iv) Hold a state certification or licensure that is substantially equivalent to one of the above and approved by the Full Commission Board; and
b) Be 18 years of age or older; and
c) Have documentation of a high school diploma or equivalent, or proof of higher education.
Fees
Interpreter/Transliterator License - $150.00 every odd numbered year.
Intermediary License - $50.00 every odd numbered year.
Temporary Permit - $25.00 every calendar year
Apprentice License - $50.00 one time fee, nonrenewable
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Business License - $150.00 every even numbered year
Renewal
Interpreter/Transliterator and Intermediary licenses shall expire on June 30th of odd-numbered years unless revoked, suspended, or cancelled prior to such date.
Temporary Permits shall expire on December 31st of the year of issuance unless revoked, suspended, or cancelled prior to such date.
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Business Licenses shall expire on June 30th of even-numbered years unless revoked, suspended or cancelled prior to such date.
(For details on renewal information, please refer to Title 96, Rules and Regulations Relating to Sign Language Interpreters) |