Sec. 57.043. ISSUANCE OF LICENSE; TERM

(a) The executive director shall issue a court interpreter license to an applicant who:

(1) can interpret for an individual who can hear but who does not comprehend English or communicate in English;

(2) passes the appropriate examination prescribed by the executive director not earlier than two years before the date the executive director receives the applicant's application for a license; and

(3) possesses the other qualifications for the license required by this subchapter or by rules adopted under this subchapter.

(b) The commission shall adopt rules relating to licensing under this subchapter and the executive director shall prescribe all forms required under this subchapter.

(c) A license issued under this subchapter is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

(d) A license issued under this subchapter must include at least one of the following designations:

(1) a basic designation that permits the interpreter to interpret court proceedings in justice courts and municipal courts that are not municipal courts of record, other than a proceeding before the court in which the judge is acting as a magistrate; or

(2) a master designation that permits the interpreter to interpret court proceedings in all courts in this state, including justice courts and municipal courts described by Subdivision (1).

(e) In adopting rules relating to licensing under this subchapter, the commission shall, after consulting with the board, prescribe the minimum score an individual must achieve on an examination to receive a license that includes a basic designation under Subsection (d) and the minimum score an individual must achieve to receive a license that includes a master designation under that subsection.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1139, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 816, Sec. 8.003, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1198 , Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.