Sec. 81.0074. PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE

(a) The commission may issue a provisional certificate to an applicant currently certified in another jurisdiction who seeks a certificate in this state and who:

(1) has been certified in good standing as an interpreter for at least two years in another jurisdiction, including a foreign country, that has certification requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements of this chapter;

(2) has passed a national or other examination recognized by the commission relating to the practice of interpretation for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

(3) is sponsored by a person certified by the commission under this chapter with whom the provisional certificate holder will practice during the time the person holds a provisional certificate.

(b) The commission may waive the requirement of Subsection (a)(3) for an applicant if the commission determines that compliance with that subsection would be a hardship to the applicant.

(c) A provisional certificate is valid until the date the commission approves or denies the provisional certificate holder's application for a certificate. The commission shall issue a certificate under this chapter to the provisional certificate holder if:

(1) the provisional certificate holder is eligible to be certified under Section 81.007(f); or

(2) the provisional certificate holder passes the part of the examination under this chapter that relates to the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the laws and rules relating to the practice of interpretation for people who are deaf or hard of hearing in this state, and:

(A) the commission verifies that the provisional certificate holder meets the academic and experience requirements for a certificate under this chapter; and

(B) the provisional certificate holder satisfies any other certification requirements under this chapter.

(d) The commission must approve or deny a provisional certificate holder's application for a certificate not later than the 180th day after the date the provisional certificate is issued. The commission may extend the 180-day period if the results of an examination have not been received by the commission before the end of that period.

(e) The commission may establish a fee for provisional certificates in an amount reasonable and necessary to cover the cost of issuing the certificate.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 122, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.