Section 5.1. Provisional registration.
(a) Application.--
(1) An individual may apply to the office for a provisional registration to be a sign language interpreter or transliterator.
(2) The applicant must submit to the office all of the following:
(i) A completed application.
(ii) Payment of any required fees.
(iii) Proof that within five years prior to the date of application for provisional registration the applicant has graduated from an interpreter education program with an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education or has met the requirements of an alternative pathway program. ((iii) amended Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
(iv) Proof that the applicant has passed a knowledge examination approved by the office. ((iv) amended Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
(3) The office shall review each completed application and shall issue a sign language interpreter provisional registration to the applicant if the office is satisfied that all of the following criteria have been met:
(i) The applicant is 18 years of age or older.
(ii) The applicant has graduated from an interpreter education program with an associate degree or higher or has met the requirements of an alternative pathway program. ((ii) amended Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
(iii) The applicant has paid all applicable fees established pursuant to this act.
(iv) The applicant possesses the general fitness, competence and reliability sufficient to satisfy the office that the applicant is worthy of a provisional registration.
(v) Other criteria as the office may establish by regulation.
(b) Registration.--A sign language interpreter provisional registration issued by the office shall be:
(1) Issued only in the name of the applicant.
(2) Issued in paper or electronic form.
(3) Nontransferable.
(4) Issued for a period not to exceed one year.
(5) Issued for interpreter or transliterator services in this Commonwealth except in any of the following:
(i) A legal setting.
(ii) A mental health setting unless accompanied by a qualified sign language interpreter or qualified transliterator.
(iii) A medical setting, unless the patient is informed that the individual engaged in interpreting or transliterating has obtained a provisional registration, is not State-registered under this act and that the patient has the right to be provided upon request a qualified sign language interpreter or qualified transliterator. ((iii) amended Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
(iv) A critical care, intensive care or emergency department setting in a health care facility, unless the exception under section 4(b)(2) applies. ((iv) amended Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
(c) Renewal.--An individual may annually renew a provisional registration by submitting to the office the information required under subsection (a) along with proof of completion of professional development, as defined under regulations and approved by the office, and any applicable fees. The office may approve only four consecutive renewals. ((c) amended Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
(d) Fees.--The fee for provisional registration or renewal of an existing provisional registration shall, unless modified by regulation, be $50.
(5.1 added Nov. 23, 2010, P.L.1355, No.124)