Frequently Asked Questions

January 1, 2025. 

NOTE: The Board voted on a 12-month grace period to allow ASL/English interpreters to get licensed. All ASL/English interpreters must be licensed by January 1, 2026. 

Maryland was one of the very few states with non-existent requirements for being an interpreter. For many years, there have been complaints regarding unqualified and fraudulent interpreters that have greatly affected consumers' access, livelihoods, and even lives. This law emerged from joint efforts of at least 15 different organizations over the past 12 years. 

The nation has already faced an interpreter shortage for many years, which was exacerbated by the pandemic and VRS/VRI. Even so, as demonstrated in other states, the law may create a shortage initially but will eventually decrease. We are also working with programs and organizations to provide resources for certification. 

Interpreters are required to self-report. The details on how to report will be provided by ODHH. Reporting will occur through their web portal. 

The 80 hours are based on working hours, NOT billable hours. They are rounded to the quarter-minute increment (.25, .5, .75, 1)

The guidelines for enforcing and monitoring interpreters working less than 80 hours are still being determined by the Board, ODHH, and the AAG offices. 

This is for the businesses (through direct hire) and/or agencies to oversee, since they are the ones working with the contracts. You can double-check by confirming with the agency or business before accepting an assignment.

"Doing business in Maryland" means where the consumer is AND where the business/agency is. 

For example: If a government employee works for an agency that resides in Maryland, but the employee lives in another state, then the interpreter must be licensed (regardless of where anyone else on the call is from).

If a consumer is seeking services within the state of Maryland: i.e. hospital, business, etc., then the interpreter must be licensed. 

CEU requirements will align with their license issuance date.

Yes. Anyone providing ASL/English interpreting services must be licensed. 

Regardless of where you reside or where your agency is located, any interpreting work performed in the state of Maryland requires licensure. All agencies - including VRI agencies - doing business in Maryland must commit to providing licensed interpreters. 

Video Relay Services (VRS) are exempt from this law. 

No. Volunteers are exempt from this law. However, working interpreters - especially if paid in any form - are required to abide by the regulations. 

As of right now, we are unsure of any plans to add CASLI performance testing sites. Since testing sites are established between locations and CASLI, GODHH or the SBSLI cannot institute more testing sites. However, we do hope to see more site options. 

No. The board is not allowing any reciprocity. 

The state cannot hold CASLI accountable. However, we do know that CASLI is on a two (2) month response rate. 

The board is looking into other ways for interpreters to become licensed, but 'grandfathering in' interpreters will not exist. Working for 'X' number of years does not guarantee qualified services. 

The Board is planning to submit a "technical change" in the 2025/2026 legislative session to allow for "Other criteria developed by the Board" in order to have alternative methods to become licensed. 

• Be 18 years or older

• Have a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalence, or courses from an accredited college or university

• Obtain a passing score on the knowledge and ethics written exam from a national or regional certifying entity

The law becomes effective January 1, 2025. However, the Board voted to write in a 12-month grace period in the Regulations to allow interpreters to become licensed. This means that any working ASL/English interpreter must possess a license starting on January 1, 2026.

Yes - Legal, medical (unless accompanied with a licensed interpreter), educational, mental/behavioral health (unless accompanied with a licensed interpreter)

The general license accepts NAD level IV and above, any RID certification (except for Ed:K-12), and BEI. **Please note: These requirements may change in the future based on any new certifications that may be created and verified that their assessments meet the desired outcomes of this law. 

The Board is currently looking into options that will allow interpreters who have been interpreting for a long time to become licensed. However, those who simply allowed their certifications to lapse will need to earn their certifications in order to become licensed. 

Possibly. It will depend on the state's requirements and regulations. 

BEI system also offers certification for Deaf interpreters called the Intermediary certification. That will satisfy MD state license requirements just like the CDI from RID. 

Initial application for a three (3) year provisional license: $300.00

Renewal for a two (2) year provisional license (only able to renew once): $150.00

Initial application for general community (non-provisional): $150.00

Renewal application for general community (non-provisional): $100.00 

*** Interpreters must renew annually in order to keep their license active.

Yes - you can reactivate your license. The cost to reactivate your license is: $150.00

Initial application for an agency: $250.00

Renewal application for general community (non-provisional): $200.00 

The board does not have any reciprocity established at this time. 

Licenses are still required regardless of who you are working for.

• Be 18 years or older and;

• Have a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalence, or courses from an accredited college or university and;  

• Have RID ED:K-12 or;      

• Pass the EIPA written exam and obtain a minimum score of 3.7 on the EIPA for either the:

  • PSE-ASL assessment; or

  • ASL-PSE assessment.

The EIPA written doesn't expire. If you have taken the test and passed, you DO NOT need to take it again. 

YES. Anywhere that is not an Educational setting. 

The educational setting is defined as: "Educational programs or services by a public, state-funded, or nonpublic school means any setting birth through secondary education."

No. The education license ONLY applies to birth through 12th grade (age 21). 

No. The only educational requirements at this time are a High School diploma or equivalent. 

The Educational workgroup and the Board determined that a score of 3.7 or higher on an assessment that specifically looks at educational settings met the needs to ensure accurate and effective interpretation in our educational setting. 

Please note: The educational requirement was NOT removed due to a concern of interpreter shortage. 

• An individual must earn 2.0 continuing education units (20 hours) of study in educational interpreting to renew

• Of the 2.0 CEUs, 1  (10 hours) must be in Power, Privilege, and Oppression (PPO) studies, including deaf culture, deaf awareness, and diversity in education. 

Those individuals who only possess an Educational license can interpret in an educational setting (birth through 12th grade that applies to the child). They can also interpret in any non-academic event (after-school activities, IEP - IF FOR THE STUDENT SPECIFICALLY). An individual who holds BOTH a General and Educational license can interpret in any environment regardless of academic or non-academic status. 

An Educational license does not cover Adults in the school systems or adults engaged in the school systems. 

This change does not restrict an interpreter from obtaining an educational degree, which they can use to advocate for a pay increase. Pay for educational interpreters is out of the hands of the Board. As long as interpreters continue to accept work at that pay level, the school system does not have pressure to increase pay. 

It is important to note that the removal of the educational requirements was a request from the community, but more specifically the Educational Interpreter community. 

The portal will become active to start applying for licenses once the final approval and publishing of the regulations. This is AFTER the "open comment period". 

Applications may be submitted online via the new web portal, by mail, or in person at the GODHH office. 

Yes, GODHH will maintain a public registry like other licensed professions. The format will be similar to other registries, such as the one maintained by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. 

Once a grievance has been submitted, GODHH will review the grievance to ensure all required documentation is provided. Once they confirm the grievance documentation is complete, they forward the grievance to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).

 OAH will review the grievance and then the Administrative Law Judge shall submit in writing to the Board proposed findings of fact, proposed conclusions of law, and recommendations. The administrative Law Judge shall distribute  the written proposed decision to the parties. 

A party objecting to the Administrative Law Judge's proposed decision may file exceptions with the Board within 15 calendar days of the date of the decision, and:

1. The part filing exceptions shall ensure that a copy of the exceptions is provided to the opposing party; 

2. An opposing party may respond to the exceptions within 15 calendar days of the date of the exceptions;

3. All parties shall have an opportunity for oral argument before the Board before a final decision is made;

4. The Board shall limit oral argument to 15 minutes per side;

5. The Board may refuse to consider facts that the party could have produced at the hearing; and

6.  The Board may abrogate, change, or modify the original decision, or remand the case to the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Please see grievance process.

The actions listed in §A of this regulation may be imposed if an applicant or a licensee:

(1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for the applicant, licensee, or another individual;

(2) Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license;

(3) Provides sign language interpretation services after the expiration of a license or outside the scope of the license;

(4) Is deemed legally incompetent to provide sign language services;

(5) Engages in dishonest, unethical, immoral, or unprofessional conduct as defined in the RID-NAD Code of Professional Conduct or its successor;

(6) Uses alcohol or drugs before or during a sign language interpreting assignment, to the extent of being unfit to provide sign language interpretation services;

(7) Is the subject of disciplinary or other administrative action taken against the individual’s certification or license to provide sign language interpretation services in another state; or

(8) Violates any provision of the State Government Article, §§9-2410—9-2435, Annotated Code of Maryland, or any regulation in this chapter.

No. An investigation cannot be done without interviewing or collecting information from the complainant. 

NO. An interpreter's license is not automatically suspended upon a grievance being filed. The interpreter is granted due process.

Yes. All Maryland State Licensing Boards have the same grievance process. 

There will be no penalty to the interpreter who works for a non-licensed agency/business. The agency/business would be penalized. We do ask that if interpreters become aware of an agency operating without a license they let GODHH know. 

The Board is aware that RID has a grievance process, however, not all interpreters are bound by RID (EIPA or BEI certified). There are also regulations in our law that RID doesn't have oversight on. 

Any individual who has a grievance filed against them is permitted to appeal the Board's decision to the Office of Administrative Hearings. OAH will conduct its investigation and guide the Board on its findings and suggested actions. The State Board has final authority on all decisions. (Please note: This is a state requirement/process, not a Board-decided process.) 

Any agency that is hiring or contracting with interpreters to provide interpreting services. 

Anyone with a registered business in Maryland OR anyone providing interpreting services in Maryland. 

Anyone with an LLC, S Corp, C Corp, or Incorporated must have a license. Those who have an LLC, but DO NOT contract anyone to provide services do not need to register as an agency. 

Yes and No. If the hospital has a separate interpreting branch that schedules services apart from the hospital, they would need an agency license. 

For example: Gallaudet University uses and hires interpreters for classes, meetings, etc. - they do not need to have an  license. However, Gallaudet Interpreting Services (GIS) operates outside of Gallaudet University and would need to hold an agency license. 

The state of Maryland has a business registry and states whether the business is in good standing or not. The Board follows the state's identification or "good standing." 

Similar to other professions providing services in the state, a license is required to provide services. This is to ensure the accountability of agencies. Agency license came from a direct request from both the interpreting and consumer communities regarding concerns about holding agencies accountable. 

Correct - 1099 individuals are considered contractors and not "hired" by an LLC. However, if you are contracting with an interpreter to provide services to someone else and issue a 1099 or should issue a 1099, then you would be considered an Agency and, thus, required to hold an Agency License. 

ODHH would handle this. They will have the oversight of licenses, agencies, & interpreters working with or without licenses. 

It would be advisable to check the agency status when you first contract with them. Under the registry, you will be able to see their license expiration date. I would make this down and set up a reminder to verify annually. 

The Board's regularly scheduled meetings are established several months out, and all dates and times are posted on GODHH's website under the "State Board of Sign Language Interpreters" tab on the left-hand side of the webpage. The Board is only required to meet at least once each quarter. 

Note: The law states, "The Board may call special meetings at the request of: (I) The Chair; (II) The Director; or (III) A majority of the members of the Board. 

The Board recognizes that last-minute meetings are not ideal, there are time-sensitive reasons a meeting may be called. 

Once the regulations have been reviewed by AELR and DSD, they will be officially published, and, public comment officially starts. The community has thirty (30) days to submit questions, comments, and any concerns to the GODHH and the Board. 

GODHH is required to post all Board information (i.e. Board meeting dates/times, agendas, create and host the virtual meeting - also publish the meeting link, record Board meetings, and either post or live stream to YouTube, etc.). The Board works closely with GODHH to ensure all Licensure & Board-related information is posted on their website. This process is not housed directly within GODHH, thus there will be slight delays. 

The Board has no control over information shared outside of the formal process; such as personal social media pages and word of mouth. 

Board members are appointed by the Maryland Governor. All board members submit applications via the Office of Appointments and are vetted via comprehensive background checks, location verification, and other steps. Based on GODHH's recommendations, careful consideration is also given to diversity and board representation among board members. 

The agencies that hired them to work would be required to provide these instructions. 

Yes. Any entity operating and providing in the state is required to hold a license in the state of Maryland in order to conduct business.