1. (a) Sign language interpreters' credentials are based on levels of proficiency, and in order to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the consumers, interpreters shall only accept assignments appropriate for their proficiency based upon accepted credentials for licensure.

2. (b) Teaming. In the event a team of interpreters is required to manage the communication accessibility of an assignment, a mixture of proficiency levels may be acceptable only if the following criteria are met:

   1. (1) The primary interpreter’s proficiency level meets or exceeds the required qualifications for that setting;
   2. (2) The primary interpreter agrees to serve as a mentor and to monitor the services of the secondary interpreter;
   3. (3) The secondary interpreter’s proficiency level is only one (1) category lower than the proficiency level required for that setting; and
   4. (4) The secondary interpreter agrees to adhere to the guidance given by the primary interpreter during the teaming assignment.

3. (c)

   1. (1) Upon request of any consumer or hiring entity, an interpreter shall show proof of his or her Arkansas license that will indicate qualifications.
   2. (2) The following list of settings for qualifications is not all-inclusive.

4. (d) Levels.

   1. (1) QAST I; BEI I.

      1. (A) Registration, Classroom Extracurricular Activities.
      2. (B) Social Services — Independent Living, Basic Living Skills, Bus Card Civic Club Meetings, Recreation, Socialization.

   2. (2) QAST II; BEI II; BEI Basic.

      1. (A) Driver’s License Testing.
      2. (B) Eligibility for Services — Follow-up Interview.
      3. (C) Support Services — Non-Academic Advisors.
      4. (D) Support Services — Orientation, Life/Job Skills.
      5. (E) Basic Job Readiness Training (semi-skilled technical or unskilled labor).
      6. (F) Interview Application for Services.
      7. (G) On-the-job Training.
      8. (H) Sheltered Workshop.
      9. (I) All settings listed in subdivision (d)(1) of this section.

   3. (3) QAST III; BEI III; BEI Advanced.

      1. (A) Social Services — Food Stamps, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, TEA/SNAP Benefits.
      2. (B) Continuing Education Workshops.
      3. (C) Job-related: Staff Meetings, Employee/Employer Meetings, Safety Workshops, Job Training, Vocational Counseling, Vocational Assessment.
      4. (D) Tax Preparation, Credit Counseling, Mortgage/Loan Counseling.
      5. (E) Diagnostics and Evaluations.
      6. (F) Routine Physical Exams, Inpatient/Outpatient Hospital Care.
      7. (G) Hospital Admissions.
      8. (H) Nursing Homes, Home Health Services, Community Health Education, Self-Help Programs, Twelve (12) Step Programs.
      9. (I) Basic Tutoring (out-of-school).
      10. (J) Postsecondary Education — Academic Courses, Academic Advisors.
      11. (K) Vocational — Technology Trainings.
      12. (L) Employment Related/Union Meetings, Child Birth Classes — Planned Parenthood.
      13. (M) All settings listed in subdivisions (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section.

   4. (4) QAST IV – V; BEI IV – V; BEI Master.

      1. (A) Social Services Disputes.
      2. (B) Polygraph Testing.
      3. (C) Post Bond.
      4. (D) Discrimination Proceedings — Prior to Court.
      5. (E) Mental Health.
      6. (F) Meetings with Parole/Probation Officers.
      7. (G) Medical — Emergency Room, General Rounds and Surgery, Healthcare Providers and Hospice, Medical Documents.
      8. (H) Graduate and Post-Graduate Education.
      9. (I) Restraining Order Application.
      10. (J) Speaker or Lectures.
      11. (K) Civil Weddings Performed In or Out of a Courtroom.
      12. (L) Employment Related — Job Interview/Application, Firing, Disciplining, Performance Appraisals.
      13. (M) Tax Assessment/Appeal Proceedings.
      14. (N) All settings listed in subdivisions (d)(1) – (3) of this section.

   5. (5) RID Credentials.

      1. (A) Legal Proceedings In/Out of the Courts.
      2. (B) Domestic/Family Violence Calls and Investigations.
      3. (C) Abuse Calls and Investigations.
      4. (D) Legislation.
      5. (E) Governmental Proceedings.
      6. (F) Pre-Trial Release.
      7. (G) Peace Bonds/Restraining Orders, Copyrights/Patents.
      8. (H) Campus Police or Other Law Enforcement Investigations.
      9. (I) Civil Investigations.
      10. (J) Child Custody or Child Welfare.
      11. (K) Jury Duty.
      12. (L) All settings listed in subsection (d) of this section.
5. (e) All in-court cases must adhere to Acts 2013, No. 237, An Act to Amend the Process for Appointment, Certification, and Regulation of Court Interpreters; and for other purposes.

Codification Notes: "BEI" means Board for Evaluation of Interpreters. "QAST" means Quality Assurance Screening Test. "RID" means Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. "SNAP" means Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. "TEA" means Transitional Employment Assistance.