3100 Introduction

Revision 26-1; Effective Oct. 5, 2026

This chapter outlines the policies and requirements for court interpreter certification through BEI.

Beginning Sept. 1, 2006, interpreters who perform interpreter services during court proceedings in the state of Texas must hold either a:

• current court interpreter certification issued by the Texas Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI); or
• current legal certificate issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

Requirements and Eligibility for Court Interpreter Certification

To become a BEI certified Court Interpreter, an applicant must meet all the requirements and qualifications in TAC Section 360.315.

3200 Eligibility Requirements for Court Interpreter Certification

Revision Notice 26-1; Effective Oct. 5, 2026

Certification Requirements by Applicant Group

BEI Court Interpreter Certification is available to both hearing applicants and deaf or hard of hearing applicants. The applicable requirements and testing protocols vary by applicant group. The table below provides a high-level overview.

Qualifying Certifications

Applicants must possess a BEI-approved interpreter certification demonstrating advanced proficiency in sign language interpreting.

Acceptable certifications include:

BEI Certifications

• BEI Level III
• BEI Level IV
• BEI Level V
• BEI Level III – Intermediary
• BEI Level IV – Intermediary
• BEI Level V - Intermediary
• BEI Advanced 
• BEI Master
• BEI Oral: Comprehensive

RID Certifications

Certifications issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) include:

• Certificate of Interpretation (CI)
• Certificate of Transliteration (CT)
• Certified Deaf Interpreter
• Comprehensive Skills Certificate
• Master Comprehensive Skills Certificate
• National Interpreter Certification (Advanced or Master)
• Reverse Skills Certificate

Applicants must maintain the prerequisite certification throughout the court interpreter certification process.

Court Interpreter Written Test (All Applicants)

Both hearing and deaf or hard of hearing applicants must pass the Court Interpreter written test. The written test will assess knowledge in the following areas:

• Legal terminology
• Court procedures
• Interpreter ethics
• Interpreter roles and responsibilities
• Professional standards of conduct

The Court Interpreter Written Test is administered through the Texas Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) for Texas applicants. Test results may be accepted from other state court systems. This acceptance is when the test is determined equivalent to the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Written Examination. The program reviews the test content and format to verify equivalency before accepting and processing out-of-state test results.

Court Interpreter Performance Test (Hearing Applicants)

The performance test evaluates the applicant’s ability to interpret legal settings. Applicants must first meet program eligibility requirements and pass the written test before attempting the performance test.

Evaluation criteria include:

• Accuracy and completeness of interpretation
• Ability to interpret between Sign Language and spoken English
• Appropriate pacing and clarity
• Ability to manage complex legal discourse

The Court Interpreter Performance Test is meant for hearing applicants only.

Training (Deaf or Hard of Hearing Applicants)

The court interpreter training must focus on court procedure and interpreting for court proceedings. Court proceedings can be civil, criminal or juvenile. They may include arraignments, mediations, court-mandated arbitrations, depositions, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Deaf or hard of hearing candidates must complete the following hours of training or mentoring:

• a minimum of 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which is the equivalent of 120 clock hours, of BEI-approved courses of instruction in courtroom knowledge and skills;
• a minimum of 120 hours of actual practice provided by a Certified Court Interpreter who has been approved by BEI to act as a mentor; or
• a combined minimum of 120 hours of instruction and mentoring.

Court interpreter training must be related to court proceedings described above and include at least:

• 16 clock hours (1.6 CEUs) on criminal law process;
• 16 clock hours (1.6 CEUs) on civil law process;
• 8 clock hours (0.8 CEUs) on legal terminology; and
• 8 clock hours (0.8 CEUs) on ethical practices for court interpreters.

Refer to the BEI CEU Rubric (PDF) for information on BEI-approved courses.

The following may provide training courses:

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS);
• a military, public, or private educational facility; or
• other providers approved by DHHS.

3300 Court Certification Issuance

Revision Notice 26-1; Effective Oct. 5, 2026

Hearing applicants who pass both the written and performance tests are issued BEI Court Interpreter certification.

Deaf or hard of hearing applicants who complete the required hours of training and mentoring and pass the written test are issued BEI Court Interpreter certification.

3400 Authorized Representation

Revision Notice 26-1; Effective Oct. 5, 2026

Only people holding current and valid court certification issued by the BEI program may:

• represent themselves as certified court interpreters; and
• provide interpreting services in court proceedings requiring certified interpreters.

A person without a valid and current BEI Court Interpreter Certification is prohibited from performing work requiring a certification under Government Code, Chapter 57.

3500 Court Certification Maintenance

Revision Notice 26-1; Effective Oct. 5, 2026

A certified court interpreter must maintain all prerequisite certifications and satisfy the five-year recertification requirements to maintain their certification.

Court interpreters must get 20 hours, which is equivalent to 2.0 Continuing Education Units or CEUs. This relates to court interpreting knowledge and skills that align with the content requirements described in 1160, Continuing Education Units for Interpreters. They must do this in the five-year recertification period. This includes the continuing education requirements for the prerequisite certificate.

Refer to the BEI CEU Rubric (PDF) for guidance on the criteria for CEU submissions.

Failure to meet maintenance requirements may result in suspension or revocation of certification by BEI.