§34-16-6. Permit to practice; renewal; ethics examination; lapse of permit.

(a) Any person who practices as an interpreter or transliterator for remuneration on August 1, 1998, but who does not otherwise meet the requirements for licensure, may obtain a renewable permit to practice interpretation or transliteration. An initial permit shall be issued upon submission of the application, documentation of a high school diploma or GED, current employment as an interpreter, and payment of the nonrefundable annual fee. Any person who does not obtain an initial permit by March 15, 1999, may obtain a nonrenewable provisional permit to practice interpretation or transliteration upon the submission of the application, documentation of a high school diploma or GED, payment of the nonrefundable fee, and submission of three letters of recommendation from licensed interpreters that verify the skill level of the applicant.

(b) In subsequent years, permit holders and nonrenewable permit holders may apply for a renewable annual permit that shall require the submission of an affidavit and supporting materials documenting that the applicant has passed an interpreter code of ethics exam as approved by the board and an interpreting performance assessment approved by the board, the payment of the required nonrefundable annual fee, and the participation in a continuing education program approved by the board. Each applicant shall also be a citizen of the United States or, if not a citizen of the United States, a person who is legally present in the United States with appropriate documentation from the federal government. The affidavit shall be submitted no later than March 15 annually.

(c) Subsequent renewal of a permit by a cued speech transliterator shall require submission of an affidavit and supporting materials documenting that the applicant has passed an interpreter code of ethics exam as approved by the board and payment of the required nonrefundable annual fee and participation in a continuing education program approved by the board. Each applicant shall also be a citizen of the United States or, if not a citizen of the United States, a person who is legally present in the United States with appropriate documentation from the federal government. The affidavit shall be submitted no later than March 15 annually.

(d) Failure to renew a permit on or before March 15 of any year, shall result in a lapse of the permit. The holder of the lapsed permit may be reinstated by the board if the permittee is in compliance with all other relevant requirements of the board, applies to the board for renewal pursuant to this section, and pays the appropriate renewal, late penalty, and reinstatement fees prescribed by the board.

(Act 98-675, p. 1480, §6; Act 2002-80, p. 254, §3; Act 2009-14, p. 27, §3.)