Mo. Rev. Stat. § 209.321 — MO Code / Chapter 209 / Section 209.321
209.321 License required to practice interpreting — certain professions exempt — ...
Status: in_force

209.321. License required to practice interpreting — certain professions exempt — practice to be limited to training and education — not considered interpreting, when — out-of-state licensees, temporary interpreting permitted — provisional licensure, criteria. — 1. No person shall represent himself or herself as an interpreter or engage in the practice of interpreting as defined in section 209.285 in the state of Missouri unless such person is licensed as required by the provisions of sections 209.319 to 209.339 .

2. A person registered, certified or licensed by this state, another state or any recognized national certification agent, acceptable to the committee that allows that person to practice any other occupation or profession in this state, is not considered to be interpreting if he or she is in performance of the occupation or profession for which he or she is registered, certified or licensed. The professions referred to in this subsection include, but are not limited to, physicians, psychologists, nurses, certified public accountants, architects and attorneys.

3. A licensed interpreter shall limit his or her practice to demonstrated areas of competence as documented by relevant professional education, training, experience and certification. An interpreter not trained in an area shall not practice in that area without obtaining additional relevant professional education, training and experience through an acceptable program as defined by rule by the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing.

4. A person is not considered to be interpreting pursuant to the provisions of this section if, in a casual setting and as defined by rule, a person is acting as an interpreter gratuitously or is engaged in interpreting incidental to traveling.

5. A person is not considered to be interpreting pursuant to the provisions of this section if a person is engaged as a telecommunications operator providing deaf relay service or operator services for the deaf.

6. A person is not considered to be interpreting under the provisions of this section if the person is currently enrolled in an interpreter training program which has been accredited by a certifying agency and approved by the committee. The training program shall offer a degree in interpreting from an accredited institution of higher education. Persons exempted under this provision shall engage only in activities and services that constitute part of a supervised course of study and shall clearly designate themselves by a title of the student, practicum student, student interpreter, trainee, or intern.

7. A person holding a current certification of license from another state or recognized national certification system deemed acceptable by the committee is not considered to be interpreting as defined in this chapter when temporarily present in the state for the purpose of providing interpreting services for a convention, conference, meeting, professional group, or educational field trip.

8. (1) The board for certification of interpreters shall grant a provisional certificate in education for any applicant who meets either of the following criteria:

(a) The applicant possesses a current valid certification in the Missouri interpreters certification system at either the novice or apprentice level and holds a valid license to provide interpreting services; or

(b) The applicant has submitted an application for certification in the Missouri interpreters certification system and an application for an interpreting license pursuant to sections 209.319 to 209.339 and has taken the written test and performance test or attests that he or she will complete the certification and licensure applications and take the written test within sixty days following the date of application for a provisional certificate in education and will complete the performance test within sixty days following passage of the written test.

(2) The board shall issue the provisional certificate in education within ten business days following receipt of a complete application.

(3) A provisional certificate issued under paragraph (a) of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be valid for a term of three years and shall be renewed by the board, upon request by the certificate holder, for one additional term of three years if the certificate holder is reevaluated during the first term of issuance and achieves a higher level of certification in the Missouri interpreter certification system.

(4) A provisional certificate issued under paragraph (b) of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be valid for one year and shall be renewed, upon request by the certificate holder, pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection if the certificate holder is reevaluated during the term of issuance and achieves a certification in the Missouri interpreter certification system. Such renewed certificate shall be subject to the term length and renewal provisions of subdivision (3) of this subsection.

(5) A provisional certificate in education shall be limited to providing interpreters services in preschool, elementary and secondary school settings or as allowed by any other valid Missouri certification or license held by the individual.

(6) A provisional certificate in education may be revoked by the board if the person makes any misrepresentations or fails to fulfill any commitment made pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, or violates the provisions of section 209.317 or 209.334 or breaks any of the ethical rules of conduct for interpreters as established by state rule or fails to obtain the necessary continuing education credits required for certification maintenance.

(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 10, A.L. 2002 H.B. 1783, A.L. 2004 S.B. 968 and S.B. 969)