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4100 Introduction
Revision Notice 26-1; Effective Oct. 5, 2026
This chapter establishes the requirements and procedures for certification as a medical interpreter through BEI.
This certification makes sure interpreters providing services in health care settings have:
- specialized knowledge;
- interpreting skills; and
- ethical competencies necessary to facilitate accurate communication between health care providers and people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
4200 Eligibility Requirements for Medical Interpreter Certification
Revision Notice 26-1; Effective Oct. 5, 2026
An applicant must meet all requirements and qualifications in TAC Section 360.457 before applying for the performance test.
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 Advanced
- BEI Master
RID Certifications
Certifications issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, including:
- Certificate of Interpretation (CI)
- Certificate of Transliteration (CT)
- Comprehensive Skills Certificate (CSC)
- Master Comprehensive Skills Certificate
- National Interpreter Certification (Advanced or Master)
Applicants must maintain the prerequisite certification throughout the medical interpreter certification process.
BEI Approved Training
Applicants must provide documented proof of completion of approved medical interpreter training. This consists of at least 80 credit hours of medical coursework or instruction approved by the BEI program. The training content must address:
- Medical terminology
- Healthcare systems and procedures
- Interpreting techniques for medical settings
- Professional ethics in healthcare environments
Refer to the BEI CEU Rubric (PDF) for information on BEI approved courses and instruction.
4300 Medical Performance Test
Revision Notice 26-1; Effective Oct. 5, 2026
Applicants must meet program eligibility requirements before testing.
Evaluation criteria of the performance test include:
- Accuracy and completeness of interpretation
- Appropriate use of medical terminology
- Fluency between Sign Language and spoken English
- Ability to interpret complex medical interactions and procedures
- Adherence to professional interpreting standards
Performance tests are recorded. The recordings are assessed by trained evaluators approved by the BEI program.
4400 Medical Certification Issuance
Revision Notice 26-1; Effective Oct. 5, 2026
Applicants who meet all eligibility requirements and pass the medical performance test are issued the BEI Medical Interpreter Certification.
4500 Medical Certification Maintenance
Revision Notice 26-1; Effective Oct. 5, 2026
A certified medical interpreter must maintain all prerequisite certifications and satisfy the five-year recertification requirements to maintain their certification.
Within the five-year recertification period, medical certificate holders must get 20 hours (2.0 CEUs) related to medical-related topics. Skills must align with the content requirements in 1160, Continuing Education Units for Interpreters (CEUs). 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.