ORS 676.771 Prohibition on unlicensed provision of signed language interpretation services, use of title; exceptions

Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection and ORS 676.772, a person who is not licensed under ORS 676.750 to 676.789 may not provide signed language interpretation services.

A person who is not licensed under ORS 676.750 to 676.789 may provide signed language interpretation services:

In circumstances in which a license issued under ORS 676.750 to 676.789 is not required.

In emergency situations involving imminent or immediate harm and during which a licensee is not available.

In other extenuating circumstances, as determined by the State Board of Sign Language Interpreters.

If the person is a qualified interpreter under ORS 45.288 or a court interpreter certified under ORS 45.291 providing signed language interpretation services for the purpose of a proceeding in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Oregon Tax Court or a circuit court or at the direction or with the approval of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the presiding judge of the court in which the proceeding occurs.

On a temporary basis not to exceed the number of days in a calendar year determined by the board if the person is authorized in another state or jurisdiction or otherwise qualified, as determined by the board, to provide signed language interpretation services.

A person who is not licensed under ORS 676.750 to 676.789 may not assume or use any title, words, abbreviations, signs or insignias, including but not limited to the titles “licensed supervisory sign language interpreter,” “licensed sign language interpreter,” “licensed provisional sign language interpreter” or “licensed sign language interpreter-in-training,” that indicate that the person is licensed to provide signed language interpretation services under ORS 676.750 to 676.789.

For the purpose of providing signed language interpretation services, a person may not employ or contract with an individual who is not licensed to provide signed language interpretation services under ORS 676.750 to 676.789.