OAR 950-050-0120: Certification and Qualification Renewal

(1) Certified or qualified health care interpreters who intend to maintain enrollment in the central registry shall renew their certification or qualification every 48 months (4 years). (2) No more than 60 days before the expiration of certification or qualification, the individual seeking renewal shall submit: (a) A signed copy of the Oregon Health Authority provided commitment form acknowledging that the applicant has read and agrees to abide by the National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct, as applicable. (b) Written verification showing the individual has maintained eligibility for central registry renewal by completing the continuing education required: (A) For qualification, the continuing education required by OAR 950-050-0090. (B) For certification, the continuing education required by OAR 950-050-0090 and any additional hours required by the applicant’s national certifying body during the preceding four years. Actual recertification by the national body is not required, except for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). RID certification must be current at the time of renewal. (c) For applicants seeking renewal as a qualified health care interpreter for American Sign Language, written verification of at least 60 hours of formal training from an Oregon Health Authority approved training center. These training hours are in addition to the continuing education required by OAR 950-050-0090. Qualified signed language health care interpreter renewal applicants who provide this documentation will be deemed to meet the requirements of a certified health care interpreter and will be issued a letter of certification. (d) Government-issued identification from the approved list in section (5) of OAR 950-050-0050. (3) The date of submission shall be considered to be the date materials are received by the Oregon Health Authority in the online Health Workforce Registry Applicant Portal or by fax, mail, email or hand delivery. (4) If the qualification or certification has not been renewed within 1 year (12 months) of the expiration date, the HCI shall re-apply as a new applicant as outlined in these rules, including retaking the full 60-hour training before re-applying. During the period that the qualification or certification has expired and has not been renewed, the interpreter shall not represent themselves as having a current or valid OHA HCI credential.