Ensuring Accessible Communication

Ark. Code Ann. § 20-14-804 creates the Advisory Board for Interpreters between Hearing Individuals and Individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Oral Deaf, which consists of seven (7) members appointed by the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health.

The Board’s purpose is to ensure that individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Oral Deaf and those they communicate with may depend upon competent, reliable interpreting services.

• We Are The Advisory Board for Interpreters for the Deaf (video)

Advisory Board Members

Committees

• Licensure Committee: Stephanie Ott & Shana Turner
• Investigation Committee: Arthur Babin & Katie Becker
• Budget/Fee Ad Hoc Committee: Arthur Babin & Sabrena Westcott
• Technology Committee: Daisy Dippel & Pamela Taylor

For an application to be sent to the licensing sub-committee of the Advisory Board for Interpreters for the Deaf, please read below.

For all RID Certified Interpreters: Screenshot your RID member portal that shows your name, certification(s), and expiration date.

For all Interpreters holding a QAST or EIPA credentials: A copy of your QAST or EIPA credential AND documentation showing that you completed 10 clock hours of continuing education units (CEUs) in the 2023 calendar year.

Additionally, if you live in the following states, you must also submit current state licensure for that state:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Rhode Island
• Wisconsin

The application form and payment of fee(s) in full are required for renewals and new licenses. Only when all items and fees have been received, will the team submit the required application documents to the subcommittee. 

In accordance with the rules, failure to renew by January 1 requires all renewal documentation specific to the license, a letter of explanation regarding the reason for late renewal, and payment of late fee. 

In accordance with the rules, failure to renew by January 31st will result in the license becoming inactive until all required renewal documentation and payment of the reactivation fee are received.

For licensing not described above, please see the rules.

An interpreter wishing to be licensed in Arkansas is responsible for practicing in accordance with the Rules Governing the Advisory Board for Interpreters.

Resources & Forms

• Rules for Interpreters Between Hearing Individuals and Individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Oral Deaf
• Act 1314
• Arkansas Interpreter Licensure Application
• Arkansas Provisional Licensure Application
• Complaint Form
• Licensed Qualified and Provisional Interpreters
• Arkansas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (ARID)
• Online Renewal System
• NAIE – The National Association of Interpreters in Education

Board Minutes

• 02.02.24
• 08.04.23
• 02.03.23
• 11.04.22

For additional information, email us, or contact us by phone at 501-280-4790.