SECTION 360.317. Training Programs for Certified Court Interpreters Managed by DARS or by Public or Private Educational Institutions

(a) DARS DHHS-Approved Mentors.

(1) A person intending to be a mentor must apply on a form provided by DARS DHHS and be approved by DARS DHHS.

(2) To be a mentor for court interpreting, the person must:

(A) meet the requirements for and hold court interpreter certification issued by DARS or RID for not less than one year;

(B) pass the court interpreter written test; and

(C) not have been subject to disciplinary action in the previous two years.

(3) Mentors must conform to a course of training prescribed by DARS DHHS.

(b) DARS DHHS-Approved Courses of Instruction.

(1) An approved mentor must submit to DARS DHHS for each proposed mentee a written course outline and materials to be used during instruction.

(2) DARS DHHS reviews the proposed course outline and materials and determines whether the course is approved.

(c) Public or Private Training Programs.

(1) DARS may contract with public or private educational institutions, and other entities, to administer training programs.

(2) Instructors must hold a court interpreter certificate issued by DARS or Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), be a licensed attorney or paralegal, or be otherwise found to be qualified as an instructor by DARS DHHS.

(3) In accordance with Government Code, §57.021(b), DARS suspends training offered by an institution if the training fails to meet the requirements established by DARS.

Source Note: The provisions of this §360.317 adopted to be effective April 24, 2013, 38 TexReg 2513; amended to be effective August 2, 2015, 40 TexReg 4823; transferred effective March 1, 2021, as published in the Texas Register February 5, 2021, 46 TexReg 946