ORS 413.558
Procedures for testing, qualifications and certification of health care interpreters

  • rules
  • fees

(1)

In consultation with the Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters, the Oregon Health Authority shall by rule establish procedures for testing, qualification and certification of health care interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency or for persons who communicate in signed language, including but not limited to:

(a)

Minimum standards for qualification and certification as a health care interpreter, which may be modified as necessary, including:

(A)

Oral or signed language skills in English and in the language for which health care interpreter qualification or certification is granted; and

(B)

Formal education or training in interpretation, medical behavioral or oral health terminology, anatomy and physiology;

(b)

Categories of expertise of health care interpreters based on the English and non-English skills, or interpreting skills, and the medical terminology skills of the person seeking qualification or certification;

(c)

Procedures for receiving applications and for examining applicants for qualification or certification;

(d)

The content and administration of required examinations;

(e)

The requirements and procedures for reciprocity of qualification and certification for health care interpreters qualified or certified in another state or territory of the United States or by another certifying body in the United States; and

(f)

Fees for application, examination, initial issuance, renewal and reciprocal acceptance of qualification or certification as a health care interpreter if deemed necessary by the authority.

(2)

Any person seeking qualification or certification as a health care interpreter must submit an application to the authority. If the applicant meets the requirements for qualification or certification established by the authority under this section, the authority shall issue a letter of qualification or a certification to the health care interpreter. The authority shall notify a person of the authority’s determination on the person’s application no later than 60 days after the date the application is received by the authority.

(3)

The authority shall work with other states, the federal government or professional organizations to develop educational and testing programs and procedures for the qualification and certification of health care interpreters.

(4)

In addition to the requirements for qualification established under subsection (1) of this section, a person may be qualified as a health care interpreter only if the person:

(a)

Is able to fluently interpret slang, idioms and specialized vocabulary in English and the slang, idioms or specialized vocabulary of the non-English language for which qualification is sought; and

(b)

Has had at least 60 hours of health care interpreter training that includes anatomy and physiology and concepts of health care interpretation.

(5)

A person may not use the title of “qualified health care interpreter” in this state, or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign or device tending to indicate that the person is a qualified health care interpreter, unless the person has met the requirements for qualification established under subsections (1) and (4) of this section and has been issued a valid letter of qualification by the authority.

(6)

In addition to the requirements for certification established under subsection (1) of this section, a person may be certified as a health care interpreter only if:

(a)

The person has met all the requirements established under subsection (4) of this section; and

(b)

The person has passed written and oral examinations required by the authority in English, in a non-English language or signed language and in medical terminology.

(7)

A person may not use the title of “certified health care interpreter” in this state, or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign or device tending to indicate that the person is a certified health care interpreter, unless the person has met the requirements for certification established under subsections (1) and (6) of this section and has been issued a valid certification by the authority.

(8)

The authority shall:

(a)

Provide health care interpreter training and continuing education in accordance with standards adopted by the Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters under ORS 413.556 (Testing, qualification and certification standards for health care interpreters) to professionalize the health care interpreter workforce in this state. The training may be provided at no cost or, if not, must be affordable.

(b)

Maintain a record of all health care interpreters who have completed an approved training program.

(c)

Establish and maintain a central registry for all health care interpreters who are qualified or certified by the authority and establish a process for health care interpreters to biennially update their contact information and confirm their participation in the registry.

(d)

Adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this section.

(9)

The authority shall provide the notice described in ORS 183.335 (Notice) (1) to all certified and qualified health care interpreters listed on the registry prior to the adoption, amendment or repeal of any rule concerning qualified or certified health care interpreter services. [Formerly 409.623; 2015 c.318 §5; 2021 c.453 §11]
Note: See second note under 413.550 (Definitions for ORS 413.550 to 413.559).
Note: Section 12, chapter 453, Oregon Laws 2021, provides:
Sec. 12. The amendments to ORS 413.558 (Procedures for testing, qualifications and certification of health care interpreters) by section 11 of this 2021 Act do not require the Oregon Health Authority or the Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters to establish a new health care interpreter registry in addition to the health care interpreter registry in effect on the effective date of this 2021 Act [July 14, 2021]. [2021 c.453 §12]

Source: Section 413.558 — Procedures for testing, qualifications and certification of health care interpreters; rules; fees, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors413.­html.

413.006
Establishment of Oregon Health Policy Board
413.007
Composition of board
413.008
Chairperson
413.011
Duties of board
413.014
Rules
413.016
Authority of board to establish advisory and technical committees
413.017
Public Health Benefit Purchasers Committee, Health Care Workforce Committee, Health Plan Quality Metrics Committee and Behavioral Health Committee
413.032
Establishment of Oregon Health Authority
413.033
Oregon Health Authority director
413.034
Oregon Health Authority officers and employees
413.036
Use of abuse and neglect reports for screening subject individuals
413.037
Administering oaths
413.038
Service of notice by regular mail
413.041
Persons authorized to represent parties in contested cases
413.042
Rules
413.046
Right to courteous, fair and dignified treatment
413.071
Authorization to request federal waivers
413.072
Public process required if waiver of federal requirement involves policy change
413.083
Dental director
413.084
State School Nursing Consultant
413.085
Cross-delegation by directors of Department of Human Services, Department of Consumer and Business Services and Oregon Health Authority
413.101
Oregon Health Authority Fund
413.105
Deposit of reimbursements received for medical assistance expenditures
413.109
Acceptance and expenditures of funds received from private sources
413.121
Oregon Health Authority Special Checking Account
413.125
Revolving fund
413.129
Aggregation of warrants and payments
413.135
Combining and eliminating accounts
413.151
Setoff of liquidated and delinquent debts
413.161
Collection of data on race, ethnicity, language, disability status, sexual orientation and gender identity
413.162
Reports to Legislative Assembly on collection of data under ORS 413.161
413.163
System for collecting data on race, ethnicity, language, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity
413.164
Collection and reporting of data by health care providers and insurers
413.166
Grants for data collection
413.167
Reports to Legislative Assembly
413.171
Sharing of data with Department of Human Services
413.175
Prohibition on disclosure of information
413.181
Disclosure of insurer information by Department of Consumer and Business Services for purpose of administering Oregon Integrated and Coordinated Care Delivery System
413.195
Disclosure of information about cremated or reduced remains
413.196
Confidentiality and inadmissibility of information obtained in connection with epidemiologic morbidity and mortality studies
413.201
Targeted outreach for Cover All People program
413.223
School-based health centers
413.225
Grants to safety net providers
413.227
Oregon Health Authority reimbursement of coordinated care organization’s costs to provide services related to improving student access to school-based oral health services
413.231
Recruitment of primary care providers
413.234
Supplemental payments to emergency services providers
413.235
Emergency services intergovernmental transfer program
413.236
Coordinated care organization reimbursement of emergency medical services providers
413.246
Information provided to retired physicians and health care providers
413.248
Physician Visa Waiver Program
413.250
Statewide Health Improvement Program
413.255
Cooperative research and demonstration projects for health and health care purposes
413.256
Regional health equity coalitions
413.257
Experimental, prototype health care of tomorrow
413.259
Patient centered primary care home program and behavioral health home program
413.260
Patient centered primary care and behavioral health home delivery models
413.270
Advisory council
413.271
Palliative care information and resources
413.273
Palliative care for patients and residents of hospitals, long term care facilities and residential care facilities
413.300
Definitions for ORS 413.300 to 413.308, 413.310 and ORS chapter 414
413.301
Health Information Technology Oversight Council
413.303
Council chairperson
413.308
Duties of council
413.310
Oregon Health Information Technology program
413.430
Functions of Director of Oregon Health Authority regarding health professionals
413.435
Administrative requirements for students in clinical training
413.450
Continuing education in cultural competency
413.500
Women, Infants and Children Program
413.520
Gambling addiction programs in Oregon Health Authority
413.522
Problem Gambling Treatment Fund
413.550
Definitions for ORS 413.550 to 413.559
413.552
Legislative findings and policy on health care interpreters
413.554
Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters
413.556
Testing, qualification and certification standards for health care interpreters
413.558
Procedures for testing, qualifications and certification of health care interpreters
413.559
Requirement for provider to work with health care interpreter from registry
413.560
Moneys received credited to account in Oregon Health Authority Fund
413.561
Agencies or boards with enforcement authority
413.562
State of Oregon as employer of health care interpreters for purposes of collective bargaining only
413.563
Requirement for interpretation service company to use health care interpreters from registry
413.570
Pain Management Commission
413.572
Additional duties of commission
413.574
Membership of commission
413.576
Selection of chairperson and vice chairperson
413.580
Pain Management Fund
413.582
Acceptance of contributions
413.590
Pain management education required of certain licensed health care professionals
413.599
Rules
413.600
Traditional Health Workers Commission
413.610
Purpose of Compact of Free Association Premium Assistance Program
413.611
Definitions
413.612
Eligibility for program
413.613
COFA Premium Assistance Program Fund
413.800
Emergency planning
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