Licensure (Yes/No)
Yes
Registration (Yes/No)
Yes
Regulation (Yes/No)
Yes
Categories
Education, Medical, Mental Health, Legal
Requirements
Practice within a state defined standard level.
– All interpreting assignments including a DeafBlind individual require a DeafBlind endorsement regardless of standard level.
– All interpreting assignments related to health or mental health require a Medical/Mental Health endorsement and a standard level two certification or higher.
– All interpreting assignments related to legal topics require a Legal endorsement and a standard level three certification.
– Video Remote Interpreters interpreting for clients located in the state of Michigan are required to abide by Michigan’s Deaf Persons’ Interpreters Act and the QWualified Interpreter Rules and Regulations including registration with the state and holding the applicable required endorsement.
See Michigan Standards Chart and General Rules for more details.
Length
Michigan Certification must be renewed annually.
Endorsements must be renewed every four (4) years.
BEI I (Basic) certification expires after four (4) years and requires retesting.
BEI II (Advanced), and BEI III (Master) do not expire so long as the interpreter keeps in good standing and renews annually.
EIPA scores do not expire so long as the interpreter remains in good standing, renews annually, and maintains eight (8) educational-related CEUS every four (4) years.
Cost of License
Initial State registration(aka Michigan Certification): $30
Annual Renewal Fee: $30
BEI Test of English Proficiency (TEP): $20
BEI I (Basic), BEI II (Advanced), BEI III (Master) performance exams: Michigan Resident: $125, Non-Resident: $175
Initial Endorsement fees: $10 each; DeafBlind; Medical/Mental Health; Legal
Possible Penalties & Grievance Process
Knowingly misrepresenting yourself as a qualified interpreter is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $1,000.00 or both.
Violation of the Deaf Persons’ Interpreters Act could lead to rejection of the application or revocation, suspension or limitation of certification.
An appointing authority that willfully violates section 3a of the Deaf Persons’ Interpreters Act is subject to a civil fine of not less than $1,000. And not more than $10,000.
Board/Agency
Number of Board Members:
9 Term Limits: 4 years, staggered.
2 deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing persons;
4 certified deaf persons’ interpreters under Michigan law;
1 person representing organizations responsible for educating interpreters;
1 person representing an organization that serves the deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing community;
1 public member.
Contact Information:
LARA – Bureau of Professional
Licensing Phone: (517) 373-8068
Fax: (517) 241-2389
Email: BPL-BoardSupport@michigan.gov
BPLHelp@michigan.gov