CHAPTER 326-I INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING
Section 326-I:7
326-I:7 Licensure Required; Exemptions. –
I. No person shall receive remuneration as an interpreter for the deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing or represent oneself as an interpreter for the deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing in this state after January 1, 2003, unless such person is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
II. The board shall license each applicant who satisfies the requirements of the board, including a valid credential recognized by the board. Upon payment of a license fee, the board shall issue to such person a certificate of licensure which shall be evidence of the right to practice as an interpreter for the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing.
III. The following persons shall be exempt from the license requirements of this chapter:
(a) Nonresident interpreters legally certified or legally trained by a board recognized body when working in legal settings, provided that such interpreter shall be subject to disciplinary proceedings of the board.
(b) Interpreters for the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing working in religious settings.
(c) Interpreters working in emergency situations where the parties determine that the delay to obtain a licensed interpreter is likely to cause injury or loss.
(d) Students exempted under RSA 326-I:8.
(e) Interpreters employed by a school district for a K-12 program.
(f) Court reporters licensed under RSA 310-A:161-RSA 310-A:181 while employed as court reporters as defined in RSA 310-A:162, II.
(g) Interpreters holding a valid credential from a board recognized body who are representatives from a critical shortage area (any area that is currently underrepresented in the licensed pool) provided that such interpreter shall be subject to disciplinary proceedings of the board.
(h) An individual interpreting between a pair of signed languages for which there is no existing certification, provided that such interpreter shall be subject to disciplinary proceedings of the board.
IV. The recipient of services shall have the right to apply to the department of education for, and to receive, a waiver in writing from using a licensed interpreter.