Washington State Courts - Court Interpreters

Biannual Reporting Requirements for Registered Interpreters

Requirements
Verification of Compliance
Non-Compliance
Request for Reinstatement

All interpreters registered by the Administrative Office of the Courts must meet these requirements in order to maintain thier registered credential. There are no exception.

REQUIREMENTS

A. Continuing Education

Every registered interpreter shall complete ten (10) hours of approved continuing education each two-year compliance period. At least two (2) continuing education hours must be earned at an AOC approved ethics workshop.

Registered interpreters may carry over a maximum of two (2) continuing education credits earned in excess of the requirement in any two-year compliance period to the next compliance period. If an interpreter earns more than two (2) ethics credits in a review period, the additional credits may carry over as general credits but will not be counted toward the ethics requirement for the next reporting period.

B. Interpreter Conduct

Every two years, registered interpreters shall report whether they have been charged with or convicted of a crime, or found to be in violation of a court order.

C. Execute Oath of Interpreter

Every two years, registered interpreters shall submit to the AOC a signed oath of interpreter.

VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE

Every registered court interpreter is responsible for completing a compliance form at the conclusion of each two-year reporting period and submitting it to the AOC. To complete the compliance form, the interpreter must document his/her continuing education classes and credits, including ethics. The compliance form must be signed by the interpreter under penalty of perjury. The interpreter must retain written compliance documentation for a three-year period after submitting the compliance form to the AOC. The interpreter shall show proof of attendance at continuing education classes upon request.

Every registered court interpreter is also responsible for submitting a completed signed, and sworn oath of interpreter with a compliance form. The blank oath form will be provided to the interpreter by the AOC Court Interpreter Program. The interpreter is responsible for brining the blank oath form to a state or federal court, and requesting that a state or federal court judge administer the oath and sign the oath form.

NON-COMPLIANCE

A registered court interpreter, who fails to submit a compliance form at the end of the two-year reporting period, shall be considered out of compliance. Upon a preliminary determination of an interpreter's non-compliance by the AOC, the AOC will submit a written complaint of non-compliance, together with supporting evidence, to the Discipline Committee of the Interpreter Commission. The AOC will send a notice of non-compliance and a copy of the complaint and supporting evidence to the interpreter. The interpreter may respond within 30 calendar days of the date of notice by submitting to the Discipline Committee a written response. The response shall be in writing, and may include, affidavits or declarations of witnesses, copies of court records, or any other documentary evidence the interpreter wishes to have the Committee consider.

The Discipline Committee shall meet (in person, via email, or telephone conference call) within 40 calendar days of the date of the complaint to review the complaint and supporting evidence, any response and supporting evidence received from the interpreter, determine whether there is clear and convincing evidence that the interpreter is out of compliance and, if so, impose such disciplinary action as it determines appropriate.

Registered interpreters will not be issued a current ID badge until all continuing education requirements are satisfied. If the Discipline Committee suspends or revokes the registration of an interpreter, the interpreter's name will be removed from the directory of registered interpreters found on the AOC's website at www.courts.wa.gov/interpreters and an electronic notice will be sent to presiding judges and court administrators/managers.

REQUEST FOR REINSTATEMENT

A registered court interpreter whose credentials has been suspended or revoked may apply in writing to the Discipline Committee for reinstatement pursuant to time frames established in the final notification. This request shall explain why the applicant believes the reinstatement should occur. The Discipline Committee shall have the sole discretion whether to grant or deny reinstatement, or to impose conditions upon reinstatement, as it deems appropriate.