- Utah Interpreter Program
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Temporary Permits
A Temporary Permit holder is an individual who either because of relocation or limited experience and training has not yet achieved Utah certification. As no level of skill has been ascertained, this person should only provide fundamental communication services in the specific situation for which the permit is granted.
To engage in the practice of an interpreter without first certifying an individual must apply to and be approved by DSDHH’s Utah Interpreter Program for a temporary permit prior to providing interpreting services (Utah Code 35A-13-6). The temporary permit is intended to be a short-term solution for extraordinary circumstances. Exemptions from certification may be issued where the following conditions exist: Lack of necessary available interpretive services and reasonably considered to jeopardize compliance with state or federal law.
It is granted by the DSDHH’s Utah Interpreter Program to both the requesting agency and the interpreter on a contractual basis. The permit remains in force for the amount of time agreed upon by the sponsoring employer, the interpreter, and the Certification Director as long as the conditions of the professional development plan are met. The maximum time a temporary permit shall remain valid is one year. The requirements of the temporary permit are no longer enforced if the interpreter passes the Utah Certification Examination at any level.
Types of Temporary Permits
Student Permit - $15 fee:
A student permit may be granted where the individual is providing paid or unpaid interpreting services while in a training program, internship, residency, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training program. Students may not work alone and must work with an interpreter certified at an advanced level. The permit will be issued for a defined period of time as determined by the school with the approval of the Certification Director. A permit will be required for each term/semester the student is interpreting through an internship or practicum.
Criteria for Obtaining a Student Permit: To apply for a student permit, the student must complete the following prior to starting an internship or practicum:
- Pass the Utah Knowledge Exam within the past five years. The Knowledge Exam cannot expire during the time the student holds the permit.
- To take the knowledge exam, the student must start the process for a Novice Certification, which includes setting up an online account (Utah-ID) to pay for and schedule the knowledge exam.
- Pay the student permit fee online in your UIP account.
- Complete and submit a student permit application (found in your online account), which includes agreement to abide by the UIP policies and the RID Code of Professional Conduct.
- Obtain and submit a letter of recommendation from a qualified faculty or staff member.
For questions about the process contact uip@utah.gov.
Temporary Permit (Mentored Permit) - $150 fee:
The situation may occur where a certified interpreter is required, the employer has taken all reasonable steps to hire a certified interpreter, but there are no certified interpreters available, AND the lack of interpretive services may jeopardize compliance with the state or federal law.
Criteria for Obtaining an Employer Permit:
- Submit a sponsoring employer application. The employer must demonstrate what steps have been taken to hire a certified interpreter.
- Submit an employee application, which must include a professional development plan on the steps they plan to take to get certified.
- Pay the required fee.
- Pass the skill assessment.
- Sign an agreement to abide by the UIP Policies and the NAD-RID CPC (contained in the application)
Approval of the request will be given by UIP depending on candidate qualifications, skill assessment, and the professional development plan.
Length of Employer Permit:
A mentored permit is renewable by submitting a revised professional development plan showing progress and paying the required fee. The permit can be renewed every three (3) months for a maximum period of one (1) year. The permit may be revoked by UIP if any of the parties violate the professional development plan.
To apply, submit the forms and professional development plan to uip@utah.gov.
Out of State Permit:
There may occur situations when an interpreter is currently certified in another state, relocates to Utah and wishes to provide interpretive services before the next examination opportunity is available. This situation would satisfy the criteria for an emergency permit. Approval of requests will be given by UIP.
Criteria for Obtaining an Emergency Permit:
- Submit a sponsoring employer application. The employer must state what steps have been taken to hire a certified interpreter.
- Submit an employee application, which must include a professional development plan including the steps they plan to take to obtain certification and a copy of their current out of state certification.
- Pay the required fee
- Sign a waiver, agreeing to abide by the UIP Policies and the NAD-RID CPC (contained in the application).
Approval of the request will be given.
Length of Employee Permit:
An employee permit is valid for a maximum of four (4) months to give the interpreter ample time to take the knowledge and performance exam. The permit may be revoked by UIP if any of the parties violate the professional development plan.
To apply, contact uip@utah.gov.
Interpreter Training Program Approval Process:
In order to be approved, the programs must submit the following:
- Program approval application
- Organizational Vita and organizational chart
- Staff roster of faculty or training staff overseeing student practicums/internships training
- Credentials for training personnel
- Descriptions of the process of assigning internships/practicum assignments
- Annual fee
- List of students eligible to participate in the internships/practicum appointments prior to interpreting
- Record of successful fingerprint background check within one year for any student who will provide interpreting services in a public school
To apply, contact uip@utah.gov.