In re Approved Examinations & Interim Reciprocity & Provisionalqualifications Interpreters
| Decision Date | 02 June 2014 |
| Citation | 2014 OK 45 |
| Court | Oklahoma Supreme Court |
| Parties | IN RE: APPROVED EXAMINATIONS AND INTERIM RECIPROCITY AND PROVISIONALQUALIFICATIONS OF OKLAHOMA COURTROOM INTERPRETERS |
NOTICE: THIS OPINION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION. UNTIL RELEASED, IT IS SUBJECT TO REVISION OR WITHDRAWAL.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court is committed to ensuring equal access to justice for all individuals regardless of their ability to communicate in the spoken English language. Spoken language interpreters play an essential role in ensuring due process and helping court proceedings function efficiently and effectively. To further this important goal, the Court orders the following interim rules until permanent rules may be established. These interim rules shall be codified as Rules 1 - 9 in a new appendix II to Chapter 23 of Title 20 of the Oklahoma Statutes in the attachment hereto.
DONE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT IN CONFERENCE THIS 2nd DAY OF JUNE, 2014.
Appendix II. - Interim Rules
Rule 1. Oklahoma Certification Program
The court interpreter credentialing process developed by the National Center for State Courts (hereinafter the "NCSC") is widely recognized as the industry standard for certification of courtroom interpreters by state courts. It is in the best interest of the Oklahoma courts to implement a credentialing process which is in line with the nationally recognized certification standards. Such an approach will better equip Oklahoma to participate in future language access initiatives, including national Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) and reciprocal recognition of certifications granted by other state courts. Accordingly, the Oklahoma Board of Examiners of Certified Courtroom Interpreters (hereinafter the "Board") shall develop and implement a certification program for spoken language interpreters in the Oklahoma courts based upon the credentialing examinations and standards approved by the NCSC (also known as the Consortium for Language Access in the Courts).
Rule 2. Authorized Examinations for Oklahoma Interpreter Certification
To satisfy the oral examination requirements specified in 20 O.S. §1703(B)(Part 1) the Board shall administer the NCSC Court Interpreter Oral Examination for the language being certified. To satisfy the written examination requirements specified in 20 O.S. §1703(B)(Part 2 and Part 3), the Board shall administer the NCSC Court Interpreter Written Examination in its entirety, which shall satisfy the requirements of both Part 2 and Part 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Board shall not require candidates to achieve scores on either the oral or written exam which are higher than the passing scores recommended by the NCSC.
Rule 3. Rules and Procedures
The Board shall develop rules and procedures necessary for implementing the Oklahoma courtroom interpreter certification program. All actions of the Board in developing the Oklahoma courtroom interpreter certification program shall be supervised by, and subject to the approval of, the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Rule 4. Certification by Reciprocity
To assist the courts in providing qualified language interpreters while Oklahoma's courtroom interpreter credentialing program is under development, a certification process based upon reciprocity is hereby authorized. This process shall allow candidates to apply for reciprocity and be recommended by the Board for official enrollment as certified courtroom interpreters in Oklahoma. A certification granted pursuant to this process shall qualify the interpreter to act as a certified courtroom interpreter in both translation of written text and interpretation of spoken words in the language certified. The interim reciprocity process outlined herein shall be superseded by the Board's permanent credentialing process and reciprocity rules. However, an interpreter who has been granted reciprocity pursuant to this interim process shall retain the status of certified courtroom interpreter after the passage of the Board's final rules, subject to the ongoing requirements, including certificate renewal, orientation training, and continuing education, which are enacted by the Board.
Rule 5. Reciprocity Requirements
To qualify, reciprocity candidates shall meet the following...
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In re Rules of the State Bd. of Examiners of Certified Courtroom Interpreters
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