Interpreter Certification Guidance

Schools that provide interpreting services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing must ensure that interpreters hold appropriate certification from the Texas Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) or the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

Improving student results is a top priority in the Texas state plan for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Interpreting services provided by qualified educational interpreters can have a significant impact on improving student performance.

As admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committees consider individual education programs for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, it is important to remember that providing interpreting services to students in mainstream settings is only one of many options that the ARD committee can address. The school must make a wide range of options available to students to ensure individual success. ARD committees must "consider the child's language and communication needs, opportunities for direct communications with peers and professional personnel in the child's language and communication mode including opportunities for direct instruction in the child's language and communication mode" (34 C.F.R. §300.324(a)(2)) when making placement decisions. 

Rules and Regulations 

The following are rules and regulations about interpreting certification: 

• 34 CFR §300.34(c)(4) – Interpreting Services 
• 34 CFR §300.156(b) – Certification Requirements 
• 19 TAC §89.1131(d) – Commissioner’s Rule   

Interpreter Training Links  

The following are interpreter training links: 

• Interpreter Training Programs in Texas
• BEI Certificates and Descriptions
• RID Certification Information