1. (1) Any person who provides interpreting or transliterating services for remuneration practices in a public, private, educational, or eleemosynary setting, as an interpreter or transliterator for remuneration on or after August 1, 1998, but who does not otherwise meet the requirements for licensure, shall obtain a renewable permit from the board to practice interpretation or transliteration.
2. (2) The initial Professional Permit shall be issued upon submission of the application, documentation of achieving at least a high school diploma or GED, current employment as an interpreter, and payment of the nonrefundable annual fee, an affidavit and supporting documentation that the applicant has passed an interpreter code of ethics exam as approved by the board and an interpreting performance assessment as approved by the Board. Each applicant shall also be a citizen of the United States or legally present in the United States with appropriate documentation from the federal government. Any person seeking to renew this permit shall provide documentation of participation and completion of continuing education programs as approved by the Board. This permit may be renewed -annually or as otherwise specified by the Board.
3. (3) The initial Deaf Professional Permit is for a person desiring to. interpret for remuneration who has an audiogram from a medical physician or licensed audiologist that shows an unaided hearing loss of greater than 40 decibels may receive this permit. An initial permit shall be issued upon submission of the application, the audiogram or medical report, documentation of achieving at least a high school diploma or GED, and payment of the nonrefundable annual fee, an affidavit and supporting documentation that the applicant has passed an interpreter code of ethics exam as approved by the board and an interpreting performance assessment as approved by the Board. Each applicant shall also be a citizen of the United States or legally present in the United States with appropriate documentation from the federal government. Any person seeking to renew this permit shall provide documentation of participation and completion of continuing education programs as approved by the Board. This permit may be renewed annually or as otherwise specified by the Board.
4. (4) A Non-Renewable provisional permit shall be issued upon submission of the application, documentation of achieving at least 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. Each applicant shall also be a citizen of the United States or legally present in the United States with appropriate documentation from the federal government. This permit is not subject to renewal and shall expire one year after the date of issuance.
5. (5) The Apprentice permit shall be issued to any student who is enrolled in a formal American sign language program, a formal interpreter training program, or a formal interpreter or transliterator internship program may interpret or transliterate as part of his or her training, as long as that person applies for a permit in accordance with the standards established by the Board. This permit may be renewed annually for any currently enrolled student or as otherwise specified 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. There must be a mentor 100% on-site and in-site view of the Apprentice.
6. (6) The Limited permit is for any person who received a permit prior to October 1, 2000 and authorized to provide interpreting services in the public educational system shall continue to receive a permit pursuant to this provision. Such permit will authorize the holder to provide interpreting or transliterating services in a public educational setting only. If, however, the permit is allowed to lapse or expire for any reason or the holder stops working in a public educational setting, this permit shall be revoked, the holder will lose all privileges of this permit, and the holder shall thereafter adhere to all requirements of this chapter with respect to licensure or permitting.

Author: The Alabama Board of Interpreter and Transliterators

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-16-10.

History: New Rule: Filed June 11, 2002; effective July 16, 2002. Amended: Filed January 28, 2005; effective March 4, 2005. Repealed: Filed August 10, 2010; effective September 14, 2010. New Rule: Filed November 19, 2014; effective December 24, 2014. Amended: Filed September 17, 2015; effective October 22, 2015. Repealed: Filed September 22, 2016; effective November 6, 2016. New Rule: Published April 29, 2022; effective June 13, 2022.