ORS 413.558: Procedures for testing, qualifications and certification of health care interpreters; rules; fees.

(1) In consultation with the Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters, the Oregon Health Authority shall by rule establish procedures for testing, qualification and certification of health care interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency or for persons who communicate in signed language, including but not limited to: (a) Minimum standards for qualification and certification as a health care interpreter, which may be modified as necessary, including: (A) Oral or signed language skills in English and in the language for which health care interpreter qualification or certification is granted; and (B) Formal education or training in interpretation, medical behavioral or oral health terminology, anatomy and physiology; (b) Categories of expertise of health care interpreters based on the English and non-English skills, or interpreting skills, and the medical terminology skills of the person seeking qualification or certification; (c) Procedures for receiving applications and for examining applicants for qualification or certification; (d) The content and administration of required examinations; (e) The requirements and procedures for reciprocity of qualification and certification for health care interpreters qualified or certified in another state or territory of the United States or by another certifying body in the United States; and (f) Fees for application, examination, initial issuance, renewal and reciprocal acceptance of qualification or certification as a health care interpreter if deemed necessary by the authority. (2) Any person seeking qualification or certification as a health care interpreter must submit an application to the authority. If the applicant meets the requirements for qualification or certification established by the authority under this section, the authority shall issue a letter of qualification or a certification to the health care interpreter. The authority shall notify a person of the authority’s determination on the person’s application no later than 60 days after the date the application is received by the authority. (3) The authority shall work with other states, the federal government or professional organizations to develop educational and testing programs and procedures for the qualification and certification of health care interpreters. (4) In addition to the requirements for qualification established under subsection (1) of this section, a person may be qualified as a health care interpreter only if the person: (a) Is able to fluently interpret slang, idioms and specialized vocabulary in English and the slang, idioms or specialized vocabulary of the non-English language for which qualification is sought; and (b) Has had at least 60 hours of health care interpreter training that includes anatomy and physiology and concepts of health care interpretation. (5) A person may not use the title of “qualified health care interpreter” in this state, or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign or device tending to indicate that the person is a qualified health care interpreter, unless the person has met the requirements for qualification established under subsections (1) and (4) of this section and has been issued a valid letter of qualification by the authority. (6) In addition to the requirements for certification established under subsection (1) of this section, a person may be certified as a health care interpreter only if: (a) The person has met all the requirements established under subsection (4) of this section; and (b) The person has passed written and oral examinations required by the authority in English, in a non-English language or signed language and in medical terminology. (7) A person may not use the title of “certified health care interpreter” in this state, or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign or device tending to indicate that the person is a certified health care interpreter, unless the person has met the requirements for certification established under subsections (1) and (6) of this section and has been issued a valid certification by the authority. (8) The authority shall: (a) Provide health care interpreter training and continuing education in accordance with standards adopted by the Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters under ORS 413.556 to professionalize the health care interpreter workforce in this state. The training may be provided at no cost or, if not, must be affordable. (b) Maintain a record of all health care interpreters who have completed an approved training program. (c) Establish and maintain a central registry for all health care interpreters who are qualified or certified by the authority and establish a process for health care interpreters to biennially update their contact information and confirm their participation in the registry. (d) Adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this section. (9) The authority shall provide the notice described in ORS 183.335 (1) to all certified and qualified health care interpreters listed on the registry prior to the adoption, amendment or repeal of any rule concerning qualified or certified health care interpreter services. [Formerly 409.623; 2015 c.318 §5; 2021 c.453 §11]