2000, Generalist Certification

Body

2100 Introduction

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

This chapter outlines BEI policies for the generalist interpreter certifications offered by the program.

2200 Generalist Interpreter Certification

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

The BEI Generalist Certifications include basic, advanced and master level certificates.

They also include intermediary level III and level V certificates for deaf interpreters.

2300 Eligibility Requirements for Generalist Certificates (Non-Specialty)

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

Educational Requirements for Generalist Certificates

Applicants must have earned an associate degree or a minimum of 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university. They should have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Exemptions

  • A Texas BEI certificate holder:
    • with an active and valid Texas BEI certificate awarded because of proceedings started before Jan. 1, 2012;
    • is exempt from the educational or degree requirements of this chapter. This exemption only applies while the Texas BEI certificate remains active and valid.

  • A Texas BEI certificate holder:

    • with an active and valid Texas BEI certificate;
    • awarded because of proceedings started before Jan. 1, 2012;
    • may be exempt from the education or degree requirements of this chapter when applying for a higher‑level Texas BEI certificate.

    The certificate holder must meet all the following conditions throughout the application and testing process to stay eligible for this exemption:

  • maintain an active and valid Texas BEI certificate, including compliance with all annual renewal and five‑year recertification requirements;
  • have no active or pending disciplinary actions with the program; and
  • meet all other eligibility, application, and testing requirements for the higher‑level Texas BEI certificate.

Testing Requirements

Applicants seeking a certification level of Basic, Advanced, or Master, also known as generalist, must apply for and pass:

Test of English Proficiency (TEP)

Before testing, applicants must have:

  • met all the criteria of 1.3, Certification Eligibility and Requirements of this policy; and
  • earned at least 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

BEI Performance Test

Prior to testing, applicants must have

  • met all the criteria in 1.3, Certification Eligibility and Requirements of this policy;
  • earned a passing score on the Test of English Proficiency,
  • earned an associate degree or a minimum of 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, except as provided above.

Prerequisites

The applicant’s current certification status determines eligibility for a performance test. A certified interpreter wanting to take a higher-level Texas BEI performance test must have the following prerequisite certificate from either the BEI or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) for the corresponding Texas BEI performance test. The pre-requisite certificate must be valid and active both at the time of application and on the scheduled test day.

Prerequisite CertificateBEI Performance Test

BEI:

  • Level I
  • Level II
  • Level III
  • Level IV
  • Level V
  • Basic


RID:

  • Comprehensive Skills Certificate (CSC)
  • Certificate of Interpreting (CI)
  • Certificate of Transliteration (CT)
  • National Interpreter Certification (NIC), 
  • NIC Advanced
  • NIC Master
Advanced

BEI:

  • Level III
  • Level IV
  • Level V
  • OC:C
  • Advanced 


RID: 

  • CSC
  • CI and CT
  • NIC Advanced
  • NIC Master
Master
Level III Intermediary (Deaf Interpreter)Level V Intermediary
  • Level I Oral
  • OC:B
Oral Certificate: Comprehensive (OC:C) *

*Subject to availability.

Holders of RID, NIC, or BEI certification from another state authorized to administer the BEI tests must submit a verification letter of their certification. They must also meet Texas educational requirements if applying for an advanced or master performance test.

The applicant must receive approval by BEI before taking the performance test.

2400 Generalist Certification Issuance

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

Applicants who meet all eligibility requirements and pass the performance test shall be issued the BEI generalist certification for the respective level.

2500 Generalist Certification Maintenance

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

Certified generalist interpreters must maintain certification per BEI program requirements.

Within the five-year recertification period, generalist certificate holders must earn a total of 10.0 CEUs (100 clock hours) during the five-year certification period. The amounts and topics are stipulated below:

  • 6.0 CEUs (60 clock hours) in interpreting-related topics
  • 2.0 CEUs (20 clock hours) in ethics-related topics
  • 2.0 CEUs (20 clock hours) in general studies

The requirements for the content are in 1160, Continuing Education Units for Interpreters (CEUs). Further guidance on BEI approved CEUs is in the BEI Rubric (PDF).

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