§ 20-1703. Application for certification - Examination - Certified methods of interpreting or translating.

A.  Every applicant who seeks to be examined for enrollment as a certified courtroom interpreter or translator shall prove to the satisfaction of the State Board of Examiners of Courtroom Interpreters that he or she:

1.  Is of legal age;

2.  Meets the requisite standards of ethical fitness as established by the Board pursuant to the recommendation of the State Ethics Commission; and

3.  Has at least a high school education or its equivalent.

B.  The examination for certification for the level for which applied in one or more authorized methods or languages of courtroom interpreting or translating shall consist of three parts, designated as Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 as follows:

1.  Part 1 consists of proof of having passed the Oklahoma Courtroom Interpreter Examination for the level for which the individual has applied or an equivalent test as authorized by the Supreme Court consisting of the following requirements:  demonstrated proficiency in interpreting or translating from the source language to the target language at a level of at least eighty percent (80%) proficiency, and demonstrated proficiency in interpreting or translating from the target language to the source language at a level of at least eighty percent (80%) proficiency.  This test shall include legal terminology and shall involve scenarios related to courtroom interpreting or translating such as opening statements, closing arguments, witness examinations, and evidence translation;

2.  Part 2 consists of a written exam of not less than twenty-five multiple choice questions relating to the ethical responsibilities of courtroom interpreters; and

3.  Part 3 is the Oklahoma Written Knowledge Test for Courtroom Interpreters which consists of not less than twenty-five multiple choice questions relating to Oklahoma law and court rules, duties of courtroom interpreters, and general court procedure.  The examination shall be approved by the Supreme Court.  A person who has tested with the Board and successfully completed the written knowledge portion of the examination shall be allowed to retain the credit for that portion for one (1) year from the date passed, and shall not be required to retake that portion during the one-year period.

C.  An applicant who is academically dishonest when taking any authorized examination is disqualified and may not take the examination again until five (5) years have elapsed from the date of the examination at which the applicant is disqualified.

D.  A certification issued under this section must be for one or more of the following methods of courtroom interpreting or translating:

1.  Translation of written text;

2.  Interpretation of spoken words; or

3.  Any other method of interpreting or translating authorized by the Supreme Court.

E.  Effective January 1, 2006, no person may engage in courtroom interpreting or translating unless the person is a certified courtroom interpreter or translator; provided, however, nothing shall preclude the Board from issuing provisional certificates pursuant to its rules.

Added by Laws 2005, c. 427, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2005.