ARC 9318C - Iowa Administrative Rules

Adopted and Filed

Sign language interpreters and transliterators—licensure of employers, ch 965

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ARC 9318C

INSPECTIONS AND APPEALS DEPARTMENT[481]

Adopted and Filed

Rulemaking related to licensure of employers for sign language interpreters and transliterators

The Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing hereby adopts new Chapter 965, “Licensure of Employers for Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators,” Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

This rulemaking is adopted under the authority provided in Iowa Code chapters 147, 154E, and 272C.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapters 17A, 147, 154E, and 272C.

Purpose and Summary

This rulemaking implements Iowa Code chapter 154E as amended by 2024 Iowa Acts, House File 2232. Chapter 965 sets forth minimum licensure requirements for employers of sign language interpreters and transliterators. Iowa residents, licensees, and employers benefit from the rulemaking because it articulates the processes by which employers apply for licensure as employers of sign language interpreters or transliterators in the State of Iowa as directed by statute. This includes the processes for initial licensure, renewal, and reinstatement. These requirements ensure public safety by ensuring that the employers employ individuals who have minimum competency. Requirements include the application process and examination.

Public Comment and Changes to Rulemaking

Notice of Intended Action for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on February 19, 2025, as ARC 8955C. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

●March 11, 2025

No one attended the public hearing. No public comments were received. No changes from the Notice have been made.

Adoption of Rulemaking

This rulemaking was adopted by the Board of Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators on April 28, 2025.

Fiscal Impact

This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Board for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 481—Chapter 6.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

Effective Date

This rulemaking will become effective on July 2, 2025.

The following rulemaking action is adopted:

ITEM 1.Adopt the following new481—Chapter 965:

CHAPTER 965

LICENSURE OF EMPLOYERS FOR SIGN LANGUAGE
INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLITERATORS

481—965.1(154E) Definition. For the purpose of these rules, the following definition will apply:

“Employer” means an employer that employs a person to provide interpreting or transliterating services to the employer’s employees.

481—965.2(154E) Requirements for licensure.

965.2(1) A person employed by an employer licensed pursuant tothis chapterto provide interpreting or transliterating services to the employer’s employees is not required to be licensed pursuant tothis chapter, but shall meet the requirements for licensure underIowa Code section 154E.3. The interpreter will not interpret or transliterate prior to providing evidence of meeting licensure requirements to the employer.

965.2(2) The following criteria apply to licensure:

a.Employers will submit a completed online licensure application and pay the nonrefundable fee.

b.Employers will submit the following information pertaining to their employed interpreters or transliterators:

(1)First and last name.

(2)Address and telephone number.

(3)Proof of passing one of the examinations or proof of certification as outlined in 481—paragraph 961.2(1)“b.”

c.Employers will submit required information for new interpreters or transliterators to the board office within 30 days of hire.

d.Consumers will be provided information to file a complaint with the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing to address any concerns with sign language interpretation or transliteration provided.

481—965.3(154E) License renewal.

965.3(1) The biennial license renewal period for a license will begin on July 1 of an odd-numbered year and end on June 30 of the next odd-numbered year. The licensee is responsible for renewing the license prior to its expiration.

965.3(2) A licensee who was issued a license within six months of the license renewal date will not be required to renew the license until the subsequent renewal date two years later.

965.3(3) A licensee applying for renewal will:

a.Provide attestation that the licensee’s employees providing interpreting or transliterating services meet the continuing education requirements as provided in 481—Chapter 962, and

b.Submit the completed renewal application and renewal fee.

965.3(4) A two-year license will be issued after the requirements of this rule are met. In the event the board receives adverse information on the renewal application, the board will issue the renewal license but may refer the adverse information for further consideration or disciplinary investigation.

965.3(5) Late renewal. The license will become late when the license has not been renewed by the expiration date on the renewal. The licensee will be assessed a late fee as specified in 481—subrule 507.18(4). To renew a late license, the licensee will complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.

965.3(6) Inactive license. A licensee whose license is inactive continues to hold the privilege of licensure in Iowa but cannot practice until the license is reactivated.

481—965.4(17A,147,272C) License reactivation. To apply for reactivation of an inactive license, a licensee needs to:

965.4(1) Submit a completed online licensure application and pay the nonrefundable fee, and

965.4(2) Submit the following information pertaining to the licensee’s employed interpreters or transliterators:

a.First and last name.

b.Address and phone number.

c.Proof of passing one of the examinations or proof of certification as outlined in 481—paragraph 961.2(1)“b.”

481—965.5(17A,147,272C) License reinstatement. A licensee whose license has been revoked, suspended, or voluntarily surrendered must apply for and receive board-approved reinstatement of the license and must apply for and be granted reactivation of the license prior to employing sign language interpreters or transliterators in this state.

481—965.6(154E,272C) License discipline. The board may impose any of the disciplinary sanctions provided in Iowa Code section 272C.3 when the board determines that the licensee is guilty of any of the acts or offenses listed in 481—Chapter 504 or 481—Chapter 963.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 154E.

[Filed 5/2/25, effective 7/2/25]

[Published 5/28/25]

EDITOR’S NOTE: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 5/28/25.