A. The State Board of Examiners of Certified Courtroom Interpreters shall:

1. Determine and establish levels of recognized courtroom interpreter credentials in this state including but not limited to certified and registered courtroom interpreters, to meet the needs of a variety of court proceedings, as the Board deems necessary and appropriate;

2. Conduct preliminary investigations to determine the qualifications of applicants seeking to attain an Oklahoma courtroom interpreter credential;

3. Conduct at least once a year, at a place and time to be published by reasonable notice as directed by the Supreme Court, the training program and examinations required of those persons who seek to attain an Oklahoma courtroom interpreter credential, or contract for such training program and examinations. The Board shall also include an examination of interpreter ethics as a condition of attaining an Oklahoma courtroom interpreter credential;

4. Recommend to the Supreme Court for official enrollment as certified or registered courtroom interpreter or other recognized levels of interpreter credentials those persons who, on their examinations, have established the requisite proficiency as set forth in the Board's rules and Section 1703 of this title;

5. Conduct proceedings, on reasonable notice, the object of which are to recommend to the Supreme Court the suspension, cancellation, revocation, or reinstatement of the enrollment of a certified courtroom interpreter on the following grounds:

a.a final conviction of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude,

b.misrepresentation in obtaining an Oklahoma courtroom interpreter credential,

c.any violation of or noncompliance with any rule or directive of the Supreme Court including but not limited to the Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Oklahoma Courts,

d.fraud, gross incompetence, or gross or habitual neglect of duty,

e.misrepresentation of credential level or status while engaging in the practice of courtroom interpreting in a court of this state or accepting payment from the court at an hourly rate greater than the rate authorized for the level of credential held by the interpreter,

f.engaging in the practice of courtroom interpreting or translating in a court of this state while certification is suspended,

g.failure to renew credential pursuant to rules of the Board, or

h.failure to annually complete at least eight (8) hours of continuing education approved by the State Board of Examiners of Courtroom Interpreters;

6. Adopt, with the approval of the Supreme Court, examination standards and rules governing enrollment, discipline, suspension, cancellation, and revocation proceedings and any other matter within the Board's cognizance; and

7. Keep a current roll of registered and certified courtroom interpreters and a file on all disciplined registered and certified courtroom interpreters.

B. In all hearings or investigations on revocation, cancellation, or suspension of enrollment, each Board member shall be empowered to administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena witnesses, and take evidence anywhere in the state, after giving reasonable notice to the party whose status is sought to be affected.

C. If the Board establishes additional levels of Oklahoma courtroom interpreter credentials, the Board shall exercise all related powers and duties as set forth in this section.

Added by Laws 2005, c. 427, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2005. Amended by Laws 2019, c. 288, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.