DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Operations Support and Services Division)

(Language Testing and Certification Program)

These rules:

(1) Establish the qualifications for department certified and ((qualified)) authorized interpreters, ((and)) translators, employees, and licensed agency personnel (LAPL); and

(2) Establish the requirements and procedures for administering and evaluating the department's interpreter, ((and)) translator, employee, and LAPL examinations.

These rules apply to any person who:

(1) Seeks employment with the department as a bilingual employee;

(2) Wishes to provide services to the department as ((an)) a contracted interpreter or translator; or

(3) ((Provides department services to limited English proficient (LEP) clients)) Works for a non DSHS county agency/program that contracts with the department to provide services to the department's limited English proficient (LEP) clients, also known as licensed agency personnel (LAPL).

The following definitions are important to this chapter:

"Authorized interpreter ((or translator))" means a person who has ((been certified by a certification agency recognized by the department)) met the training and language examination requirements for screened languages.

"Certified/authorized bilingual employee" means a department employee who ((is certified, as bilingual, by passing)) has passed a department ((fluency)) bilingual employee examination ((or a department recognized professional association and is required to use their bilingual skills in their work)) in either a certified or a screened language.

"Certified interpreter ((for spoken languages))" means a person who has met the training requirements and has passed ((any)) one or both of the following ((fluency)) examinations:

(1) ((Department's)) The department's social services interpreter ((or medical interpreter)) certification examination in a certified language; or

(2) ((State of Washington office of the administrator for the courts interpreter certification examination;

(3) Federal courts interpreter certification examination)) The department's medical interpreter certification examination in a certified language.

"Certified languages for translators" means any of the languages listed under certified languages on the official LTC website and in the official LTC examination manual.

"Certified translator ((for spoken languages))" means a person who has ((passed any of the following fluency examinations:

(2) American Translators Association (ATA) accreditation examination)) met the training requirements and has passed the department's translator certification examination in a certified language.

"Department" means the department of social and health services (DSHS).

"Examination manual" means the language ((interpreter services and translations)) testing and certification section's professional language certification examination manual. To obtain a copy of this manual,((telephone or write the LIST office at:

Or visit the LIST web site at: http://asd.dshs.wa.gov/html/oar_list.htm)) visit the LTC website.

"Interpretation" means the ((oral or manual transfer of)) process of transferring a message orally from one language ((to)) into another ((language)).

"Language ((interpreter services and translations)) testing and certification (LTC)" ((or "LIST")) means the section within the department that is responsible for ((administering and enforcing these rules and providing the services contained in this rule)) managing the bilingual skills testing and certification of employees, LAPL, and contracted interpreters and translators.

"Limited English proficient (LEP) client" means a person applying for or receiving department services, either directly or indirectly, who, because of a non-English speaking cultural background, cannot readily speak or understand the English language.

"Source language" means the language from which an interpretation and/or translation is rendered.

"Target language" means the language into which an interpretation and/or translation is rendered.

"Translation" means the ((written transfer of a message)) process of transferring a written message from one language ((to)) into another.

The (("))code of conduct((")) is the professional standard established by the department for all ((interpreters/translators providing)) interpreters, translators, employees, and LAPL who provide language services to department programs and clients. Any violation of this code may disqualify ((an interpreter or translator)) a provider from providing those services. Specifically, the code addresses:

(1) Accuracy. Interpreters/translators must always express the source language message in a thorough and faithful manner. They must:

(a) Omit or add nothing;

(b) Give consideration to linguistic variations in both the source and target languages; and

(c) Conserve the tone and spirit of the source language.

(2) Cultural sensitivity-courtesy. Interpreters/translators must be culturally-((knowledgeable,))sensitive, and respectful of the individual(s) they serve.

(3) Confidentiality. Interpreters/translators must not divulge any information publicly or privately obtained through their assignments, including, but not limited to, information ((from)) gained through access to documents or other written materials.

(4) ((Disclosure. Interpreters/translators must not publicly discuss, report, or offer an opinion on current or past assignments, even when the information related to the assignment is not legally considered confidential.

(5))) Proficiency. Interpreters/translators must ((pass the department's required bilingual fluency certification examinations or screening tests in order to meet the department's)) meet the minimum proficiency standard set by DSHS.

(((6))) (5) Compensation. Interpreters/translators must:

(a) Not accept additional money, consideration, or favors for services reimbursed by the department ((through language services providers;)). The fee schedule agreed to between the contracted language services providers and the department shall be the maximum compensation accepted.

(b) Not use the department's time, facilities, equipment or supplies for private gain or other advantage; and

(c) Not use or attempt to use their position to secure privileges or exemptions.

(((7))) (6) Nondiscrimination. Interpreters/translators must:

(a) Always be ((neutral,)) impartial and unbiased;

(b) Not discriminate on the basis of gender, disability, race, color, national origin, age, ((creed, religion,)) socio-economic or educational or marital status, religious or political beliefs, or sexual orientation; and

(c) Refuse or withdraw from an assignment, without threat or retaliation, if they are unable to perform the required service in an ethical manner.

(((8))) (7) ((Self-evaluation)) Self-representation. Interpreters/translators must accurately and completely represent their ((certification)) certifications, training, and experience.

(((9))) (8) Impartiality-conflict of interest. Interpreters/translators must disclose to the department any real or perceived conflicts of interest that would affect their professional objectivity. Note: Providing interpreting or translating services to family members or friends may violate the family member or friend's right to confidentiality, ((and/or may be a real or perceived)) constitute a conflict of interest, or violate a DSHS contract or subcontract.

(((10))) (9) Professional demeanor. Interpreters/translators must be punctual, prepared, and dressed ((appropriately)) in a manner appropriate, and not distracting for the situation.

(((11))) (10) Scope of practice. Interpreters/translators must not:

(a) Counsel, refer, give advice, or express personal opinions to ((their)) the individuals for whom they are interpreting/translating ((clients));

(b) Engage in activities with clients that are not directly related to providing interpreting and/or translating services;

(c) Have unsupervised ((contact with)) access to clients, including but not limited to phoning clients directly, other than at the request of a Washington State employee or contracted service provider (e.g., medical provider); ((and))

(d) ((Have direct telephone contact with clients unless requested by DSHS staff)) Market their services to clients, including but not limited to, arranging services or appointments for clients in order to create business for themselves; or

(e) Transport clients for any business, including social service or medical appointments.

(((12))) (11) Reporting obstacles to practice. Interpreters/translators must ((always)) assess at all times their ability to ((perform a specific interpreting/translating assignment. If they have any reservations about their ability to competently perform an assignment, they must immediately notify their clients and/or employer and offer to withdraw without threat or retaliation. They may remain on the assignment until more appropriate interpreters/translators can be retained)) interpret/translate.

(b) Interpreters/translators must immediately withdraw from encounters they perceive as a violation of this code.

(14))) (12) Professional development. Interpreters/translators ((must)) are expected to continually develop their skills and knowledge through:

(a) ((Formal professional)) Professional interpreter/translator training;

(b) ((On-going continuing)) Continuing education; and

(c) Regular ((and frequent)) interaction with colleagues and specialists in related fields.

Language ((interpreter services and translations (LIST))) testing and certification (LTC) is the section within DSHS responsible for:

(1) Establishing and publishing systems, methods, and procedures for certifying, screening and/or evaluating the interpretation and/or translation skills of ((bilingual)) employees, LAPL, interpreters and translators who work with department clients, employees, and service providers;

(2) Ensuring that certified/authorized ((or qualified bilingual)) interpreters, translators, employees, and LAPL ((and language service contractors)) are aware of DSHS's code of professional conduct for interpreters, ((and)) translator, employees, and LAPL;

(5) Maintaining the online interpreter database for public access.

(1) ((To be department certified, any)) Any department staff member serving in a bilingual capacity ((or any contracted interpreter/translator providing bilingual services to department clients)) must pass a bilingual ((fluency test)) skills examination. ((No bilingual duties will be assigned to any staff and no contract will be granted to any contractor without proper certification. Once certified:

(c) Individuals not employed by the department who wish to interpret and/or translate for department clients can be retained by contracted interpreting agencies.))

(2) Any candidate seeking employment with the department in a position that requires bilingual skills must pass a bilingual skills examination.

(5) Interpreters can be certified or ((qualified)) authorized by the department as:

(a) Social services interpreters ((by the department)); and/or

(b) ((Legal interpreters by the office of the administrator for the courts; and/or

(c))) Medical interpreters ((by the department)).

(((3))) (6) Translators can be certified by the department ((or by the American Translators Association (ATA).

(5) Any violation of the code of professional conduct may disqualify an interpreter or translator from providing services to the department, regardless of whether their contract is directly with the department or indirectly through a language agency serving department clients.)) in any of the certified languages.

There are ((three)) four ways that you may gain department recognition as an interpreter or translator without taking the department's certification examinations.

(1) If you ((hold either a state of)) are certified as an interpreter by either the Washington state administrative office of the ((administrator for the)) courts ((interpreter certificate or a federal court interpreter certificate)) or the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the department will recognize you as a ((certified)) social services interpreter without requiring you to take its social service interpreter examination. However, you must formally submit a written request for recognition, ((and attach)) a photocopy of your valid official certificate, and a copy of official record attesting to your completion of the required minimum DSHS interpreter/translator orientation and interpreter/translator professional ethics trainings to the entity you contract with for your language services.

(2) If you are certified as a translator by the American Translators Association (ATA) ((accredits you as a certified translator)), the department will recognize you as a ((certified)) translator without requiring you to take its translator examination. However, you must formally submit a written request for recognition, ((and attach)) a photocopy of your valid official certificate, and a copy of official record attesting to your completion of the required minimum DSHS interpreter/translator orientation and interpreter/translator professional ethics trainings to the entity you contract with for your language services.

(3) If you ((hold either an interpreter or translator certification from)) are certified as an interpreter or translator by another state or U.S. territory or another country that is comparable to DSHS certification and based upon similar requirements, ((LIST)) the department may recognize your certification. In your written request for DSHS recognition, you must submit a photocopy of your valid official certificate and a copy of the official ((test)) examination manual containing descriptions of the test development process, the scope of the examination, the knowledge and skills to be evaluated, the test validation approach and related statistics, the evaluation criteria, and the passing benchmark. Your request ((should)) must be submitted to ((LIST)) LTC. ((LIST)) LTC will ((decide)) evaluate all requests on a case-by-case basis. If LTC determines that your certification meets DSHS certification requirements, a recognition letter will be issued to you, which you will submit with your written request and a copy of your valid official certificate, and a copy of the official record attesting to your completion of the required minimum DSHS interpreter/translator orientation and interpreter/translator professional ethics trainings to the entity you contract with for your language services.

(5) DSHS does not recognize any academic interpreter/translator degrees/certificates or training courses as substitutes for its certification/authorization examination requirements.

The department determines if your request is sufficiently documented (except for WAC 388-03-114(1) and 388-03-114(2)). It may request further proof of your qualification. In all cases, the department's decision regarding the sufficiency of your documentation is final.

(1) All documents submitted to ((LIST)) LTC in a foreign language must be accompanied by an accurate translation ((in)) into English by a qualified translator other than the holder of the certificate.

(2) Each translated document must bear the affidavit of the translator, sworn to before a notary public, certifying that the:

(a) Translator is competent in both the language of the document and the English language; and

(b) Translation is ((a true)) an accurate and complete translation of the foreign language original.

(3) Applicants must pay all costs related to translating any documents relevant to their request for department ((certification)) recognition.

When ((LIST)) LTC receives your written request for recognition and the required documentation of your qualification, it will:

(1) Process your request as expeditiously as possible; and

(2) ((Give)) If approved, issue you ((written notification of its decision; and)) a letter of recognition; or

(3) ((File your request and enter your name, if your request is approved, into its electronic data base of authorized interpreters and translators)) If not approved, issue you a letter explaining the reason why your request was not approved.

(4) These procedures do not apply to WAC 388-03-114(1) and 388-03-114(2).

(1) To enable contracted ((language)) agencies and department programs to locate and contact certified and/or ((qualified)) authorized interpreters and translators, the department maintains lists of certified interpreters, certified translators, and ((qualified)) authorized interpreters.

(2) These lists are published and ((distributed to department contracted language agencies, local department offices, LEP cluster coordinators and regional LEP coordinators)) updated regularly to include newly certified and authorized interpreters/translators.

(3) Any interpreter or translator who considers ((some)) certain information on the list to be confidential, such as ((mailing addresses)) physical address and telephone numbers, can request to have ((that)) such information removed ((by writing the Language Interpreter Services and Translations section at: P.O. Box 45820, Olympia, WA 98504-5820)). The request must be made in writing and mail or email it to LTC. However, LTC will provide details regarding interpreters to the extent required by RCW 41.56.510(4).

(4) ((These lists are updated quarterly to include newly certified and qualified interpreters/translators)) Only contracted interpreters and translators are included on these lists. There is no public access to the lists of department bilingual employees or LAPL.

(1) You are eligible to take any DSHS interpreter/translator certification or screening examination if you are eighteen years of age or older and:

(a) Currently employed by DSHS in a bilingual position; or

(b) Applying for DSHS positions with bilingual requirements; or

(c) Currently working ((with DSHS programs)) through contracted ((language)) agencies as a social service and/or medical interpreter; or

(d) Wishing to work ((with DSHS programs)) through contracted ((language)) agencies as a social service and/or medical interpreter, or a translator.

(2) There are no formal education and experience requirements for taking an examination. ((If you fit into one of the above listed categories, you are eligible to take an examination.)) However, you must remember that all written and oral tests administered by the department assess language proficiency at a professional interpreter/translator level. The reading level of all tests is at or above grade fourteen, depending on the type of test. Taking some professional hands-on training related to language interpretation/translation prior to taking the test may help you be better prepared for the test.

(3) Screening tests will not substitute for or be substituted ((for)) by any ((certificated)) certified language tests.

(1) Certification examinations evaluate bilingual proficiency and ((interpreting)) interpretation/translation skills by comparing your proficiency and ((skill)) skills to minimum competency standards.

(2) Minimum competency standards are determined by the nature of the work involved and by experienced practicing ((court)) interpreters/translators, ((social services interpreters/translators,)) bilingual professionals, and language specialists.

(3) Five different types of tests are used to evaluate the bilingual proficiency and ((interpreting)) interpretation/translation skills of the following categories of people:

(a) Department employees and ((new recruits)) employment candidates with bilingual assignments (employee test);

(b) ((Contracted)) Social services interpreters providing oral interpretation services to department social service programs (social services interpreter test);

(c) ((Contracted translators)) Translators providing written document translation services to department social service programs (translator test);

(d) Medical interpreters providing interpretation services to department clients in medical settings (medical interpreter test); and

(e) Licensed agency personnel (LAPL) whose agency is providing contracted services to the department (((licensed agency personnel test or LAP)) LAPL test).

(4) For a list of the specific types of examinations and languages tested (and other important testing information), see the most recent edition of the "professional language certification examination manual" published ((by the language interpreter services and translations section)) on the LTC website.

(5) Examinations for interpreters include written and oral components. ((Interpreters must pass the written test before they take the oral test)) To satisfy testing requirements, an interpreter must pass both the written and oral test components.

(6) Examinations for ((DSHS bilingual)) employees and LAPL usually include written and oral components and these can be taken on the same day if the test schedule allows it.

(7) Examinations for translators include only a written document translation component.

(1) A screening ((test)) examination is ((a test)) an examination administered by the department to candidates who wish to become "((qualified)) authorized interpreters." ((Qualified)) Authorized interpreters((, also referred to as noncertificated language interpreters,)) are individuals who speak a language ((other than the department's seven certificated languages, which are Cambodian, Chinese (either Cantonese or Mandarin), Korean, Laotian, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese)) or a dialect within a language that is not one of the certified languages.

(2) The scope of a screening ((test)) examination is narrower than ((the scope)) that of a ((certificated)) certified language examination. Screening ((tests)) examinations assess a candidate's English and target language skills but the broader, more comprehensive type of assessment used ((in a certificated language)) for certified languages examination is not possible ((because of)) due to limited department resources.

(3) Screening ((tests)) examinations are only available for social services interpreters and medical interpreters.

((To register for a certification or screening examination you must follow these steps)) You must do the following:

(1) ((Call the LIST office and request a copy of the examination manual, an examination application form and a schedule of upcoming test dates)) Read the examination manual and other related information on the LTC website. The LTC website can be accessed from any private or public computer with internet access.

(2) ((Complete and return the examination application form with the required examination fee)) Follow the instructions on the LTC website to register for a test of your choice online. You need to have a valid email address and a valid credit card or debit card to register for a test.

(3) ((Wait to receive your examination confirmation letter and)) You will receive an email appointment confirmation instantaneously after you complete the online test registration process. You can access the pretest study package from ((LIST)) the LTC website. If you ((have)) did not ((received your letter and package within fifteen working days after you mailed your application and payment)) receive your test confirmation email a few minutes after you completed the registration process, it is your responsibility to contact the ((LIST)) LTC office. ((It is also your responsibility to inform LIST if your name, mailing address or telephone number changes.))

(4) If you are only registering for the oral test or registering to retake a test, you do not need to call the ((LIST)) LTC office. Simply ((complete the application form enclosed with your test score report letter and return it to LIST with the appropriate fee. A confirmation letter will be mailed to you when LIST receives your application and payment)) follow the steps in subsections (2) and (3) of this section.

(5) Walk-in registration at a test site is not allowed under any circumstances.

(6) Telephone registration is allowed only for department employees, ((and)) applicants for department bilingual positions, and LAPL.

((Your)) The pretest study package contains ((directions to the testing site and)) a study guide that includes sample test questions, sample oral exercises, a list of important terminology and ((a copy of)) the department's code of professional conduct.

((The following examination fees apply to all languages tested by LIST:)) Examination fees are listed in the examination manual on the LTC website.

(((1))) You may pay your examination fees with ((a personal check, certified check, cashier check or money order made out to the "department of social and health services." Do not send cash. LIST will not be responsible for lost cash payments sent through the mail.

(3) If your bank returns your personal check to LIST because of insufficient funds, LIST will not send you a score report letter until your check clears the bank.)) a credit card or debit card when you register from the LTC website.

(1) ((All examination)) Examination fees are nonrefundable except in the following circumstances:

(a) If ((you die)) an applicant dies before taking the examination, ((your)) their examination fees are refundable to ((your)) their estate; or

(b) If you officially move out of Washington state before taking the examination, your examination fees can be refunded to you upon request.

(2) If you fail to attend your confirmed test session(s) because of an emergency, your test session(s) may be rescheduled upon request but your test fee will not be refunded. ((A rescheduling)) Rescheduling due to an emergency will be done only once and only if the emergency is properly documented. Examples of proper documentation ((would be)) include an official police ((reports)) report or a signed physician ((statements)) statement.

(1) ((LIST schedules all department interpreter and translator examinations.)) Normally, testing for all languages is conducted ((once a month, statewide, from February through November. No testing is offered in December and January due to potential hazardous driving conditions. (See the examination manual for details.)

(3) LIST testing is currently offered at six statewide locations. (See the examination manual for details.) Testing site)) in Eastern and Western Washington. The number of test locations and the frequency of test sessions are determined on the basis of budgetary allotment for the testing program.

(2) Test locations can change because of scheduling factors and varying demand for testing services. ((To stay informed, you should regularly consult LIST's master test schedule. Also, carefully)) Carefully read your test confirmation letter because it contains specific information on test date, test time, and test location. Current test locations and driving directions to test locations are always published on the LTC website.

(1) You may request a change in your test appointment date and time only if the request is made within ten calendar days from the date your confirmation letter is sent; otherwise LTC considers your test appointment "confirmed" and your examination fees will not be refunded.

(2) Except in bona fide emergency situations (see WAC 388-03-133(2)), you will not be allowed to re-schedule your appointment free of charge if you fail to attend your confirmed test appointment. If you miss your confirmed test appointment for reasons other than an emergency, you may schedule another appointment date and time by paying the appropriate examination fee.

(1) The department has a "no-comment, no-return" examination policy. Once an examination is given, it becomes the property of the department and it will not be released to anyone, including test candidates. Such property includes the test booklet, answer sheets, oral test recordings, test grading sheets, and notes taken by the candidate.

(2) The department will not discuss specific examination content, including specific test questions or answers, with test candidates or any other party. Candidates can receive general critiques of their test performance if they submit a written request.

(3) Passing scores for the different examinations are established by the department based on bilingual fluency required by law, testing technicalities and the language needs of the department. Test scores will only be reported to candidates in writing. No score information will be released over the telephone to anyone, including the test candidate.

(4) All interpreter and translator candidates must follow ((the)) test instructions. ((A failure)) Failure to follow ((the)) test instructions may result in an invalid test. Invalid tests will not be scored and, therefore, no test results will be reported to the candidate.

(5) If a candidate arrives late for the written test but decides to ((go ahead and take it, they)) proceed with taking the test, the candidate will take the test during the remaining time allowed. The lost time resulting from their late arrival will not be made up in additional testing time.

(6) If a candidate arrives late for an oral test, they may lose their ((assigned)) confirmed time slot. A lost time slot resulting from a late arrival will not be made up.

(7) Tests will not be rescheduled because a candidate arrives late at a testing site except in the case of a bona fide emergency. If you are too late to take the test for some reason other than an emergency, you may ((schedule)) register for another examination by ((reapplying for the test and)) paying ((the appropriate)) another test fee.

If a test administrator ((suspects cheating during an examination)) concludes with reasonable evidence that a candidate cheated during an examination, the accused candidate may be declared ineligible indefinitely for all interpreter and translator certification/((qualification)) authorization tests administered by the department. You will be notified in writing about the department's decision.

If you are notified that you are ineligible to take any DSHS test because of cheating, you have the right to appeal the decision by using the adjudicative proceeding process in chapter 34.05 RCW and chapter 388-02 WAC.

To request an adjudicative hearing, you must:

(1) File a written application for hearing with the department's board of appeals within twenty-one days of receiving the department's decision to deny you from taking any DSHS test.

(2) Your written application must include:

(a) A copy of the decision that you are contesting; and

(b) A specific statement of the issue(s) and the law involved; and

(c) Your reasons for contesting the decision.

(3) Your written application for hearing must be delivered to the board of appeals in person, electronically by fax or by certified mail. (See WAC 388-02-0030.)

(4) Once the board of appeals receives your written application, an adjudicative hearing will be scheduled.

(5) The adjudicative hearing will be governed by the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW and chapter 388-02 WAC.

(1) Depending on the nature of the test or test section, the department uses either an objective or a holistic scoring method to evaluate your examination.

(2) Please consult the examination manual for the evaluation indicators used by the department for each test or sub-test.

Score report letters will be sent to candidates when they finish either portion (written or oral) of the test:

(1) For ((a)) an interpreter written test, your scores should be available within two to four weeks from the date you took the examination.

(2) For ((oral tests, you should receive your scores within four to six weeks from the date you took the examination)) an interpreter, employee, or LAPL oral test, your scores should be available within four to six weeks from the date you took the examination.

(3) For an employee or LAPL written test and a document translator test, your scores should be available within four to six weeks from the date you took the examination.

(((3))) (4) If you wish your test scores mailed to a specific organization or individual, you must personally notify the department in writing (signature required) and provide the name and mailing address of the organization or individual to whom your score should be sent.

(((4))) (5) If you do not receive your score report ((letters)) letter within the suggested time ((periods)) period, you should contact ((LIST at (360) 664-6037)) LTC via email. The LTC email address can be found on the LTC website.

If passed, your written test score is valid for two years from the date of your score report letter. If it has been more than two years since you passed your interpreter written test, you need to re-take the written test and pass it before it can be applied toward your certification/authorization status.

You have two months, from the date your test score letter is sent, to appeal your test score. Note:

(1) Your appeal must be submitted to the ((department)) department's LTC program manager in writing.

(2) Your appeal will not be honored if it is filed beyond the two-month appeal period.

(3) You will not be allowed to reschedule an examination while your score is being appealed.

You can retake a failed examination until you pass it. ((However, if you fail a test three times, you must wait six months before taking it a fourth time and wait six months between each subsequent attempt.)) Each time you retake the test you must pay an examination fee (except for DSHS bilingual staff tests).

(1) If you have been certified or authorized as a department bilingual employee or LAPL, your status does not expire as long as you remain in a designated bilingual position within the position cluster for which you were certified/authorized. Otherwise:

(a) If you moved out of a designated bilingual position and do not use your bilingual skills for four consecutive years or longer, you need to re-test for the position cluster you are re-entering; or

(b) If you are moving into a new designated bilingual position within a new position cluster, you need to meet the test requirements for the position cluster you are entering.

(2) If you have been certified or authorized as an interpreter or translator and are not a department employee, you can maintain your certification or authorization status by:

(a) Earning a minimum of twenty credit hours of DSHS approved continuing education (CE) every four years. A current list of DSHS recognized continuing education and/or professional development courses is published on the LTC website; or

(b) Retake the examination within four years from the date your were certified/authorized if you do not earn a minimum of twenty credit hours of DSHS recognized continuing education during this time frame. Once you pass all test requirements, a new certificate or authorization letter will be issued to you with a new expiration date. Your name and contact information will then be included for publication.

Before your certification or authorization status expires, you need to send a written request to LTC to renew your certification or authorization status. In your written request, you must include a photo copy of your official transcript or certificate of completion that specifies the date, the content, and the number of credit hours earned in a particular class/course/training activity. You should only report DSHS approved CE credits. The information you send us will be verified before it is recorded in determining the renewal of your certification or authorization status. Once renewed, a new certificate or authorization letter will be issued to you with a new expiration date. Your name and contact information will then be included for publication.

If you do not meet the requirements as specified under 388-03-160, your certification or authorization status will expire after the expiration date on your certificate or authorization letter. Your name will be removed from the list of certified or authorized interpreters/translators. Once your certification or authorization status has expired, you must meet all requirements specified under WAC 388-03-112 before it can be renewed.

Section 388-03-160 applies to all certified/authorized/recognized interpreters/translators, regardless of when their certificates/authorization letters were issued. The expiration date for certificates/authorization letters is four years from the effective date of the revised Chapter 388-03 WAC if the requirement of WAC 388-03-160 is not met.

The department may deny or revoke either your certification or ((qualification)) authorization status if it is proven by the authorized entity or the entity that contracts with you that you committed ((one or both)) any of the following acts:

(1) You have not been truthful when dealing with the department; or

(2) You have violated any provision of the department's code of professional conduct that is determined to be creating major negative impacts on the department or the profession; or

The department may deny or revoke either your certification or authorization status if it is proven that you committed any of the acts listed in WAC 388-03-170. Revocation request for a department bilingual employee must be filed with LTC by the human resources division (HRD).

If it is alleged that you have ((not been truthful when dealing with the department or that you have violated the department's code of professional conduct, the department,)) committed any of the acts listed in WAC 388-03-170, before denying or revoking your certification or ((qualification,)) authorization status, the department must:

(1) have received an official request from the entity that contracts with you to have your certification/authorization status revoked;

(2) ((Immediately investigate the allegations made against you)) Have received the findings of the investigation conducted by the authorized entity or the entity that contracts with you. You must be interviewed as part of the investigation process. The findings of the investigation must include definite conclusions about the alleged violation(s); ((and))

(3) Within ((five)) thirty days of ((reaching its decision, give)) receiving the official revocation request and investigation findings, send you written notification ((of)) regarding the final decision of your certification or authorization status. The department's notification must be ((delivered)) sent to you by certified mail; and

(5) If a revocation request is made by a third party while an investigation of an allegation is not feasible, the department retains the right and authority to deny or revoke a certification or authorization status without an investigation.

Any request for revocation must be officially filed with LTC within two years of the alleged occurrence of misconduct. Otherwise, the request shall be dismissed as untimely.

If ((the department denies or revokes)) your certification or ((qualification)) authorization is denied or revoked, you have the right to appeal ((its)) the decision by using the adjudicative proceeding process in chapter 34.05 RCW and chapter ((388-08)) 388-02 WAC. ((However, the department encourages you to first try to resolve your dispute through a less formal process like mediation.))

To request an adjudicative hearing, you must:

(1) File a written application for hearing with the department's board of appeals within twenty-one days of receiving the department's decision to deny or revoke your certification or ((qualification)) authorization.

(2) Your written application must include:

(a) A copy of the ((department's)) decision that you are contesting; and

(b) A specific statement of the issue(s) and the law involved; and

(c) Your reasons for contesting the ((department's)) decision.

(3) Your written application for hearing must be delivered to the board of appeals in person, electronically by fax or by certified mail. (See WAC 388-02-0030.)

(4) Once the board of appeals receives your written application, an adjudicative hearing will be scheduled.

(5) The adjudicative hearing will be governed by the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW((, Administrative Procedure Act)) and chapter 388-02 WAC.