21 NCAC 25 .0207             MENTORING AND TRAINING EXEMPTION

(a)  A mentoring or training program is approved by the Board if it meets each of the following criteria:

(1)           The program is operated by a school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or any other accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;

(2)           Each mentor or trainer used by the program:

(A)          Holds a valid National Association of the Deaf ("NAD") level 4 or 5 certification; or

(B)          Is nationally certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. ("RID"); or

(C)          Has a national certification recognized by the National Cued Speech Association ("NCSA"); or

(D)          Holds a quality assurance North Carolina Interpreter Classification System ("NCICS") level A or B classification in effect on January 1, 2000;

(3)           Each mentor or trainer used by the program has five years of professional experience as an interpreter or transliterator following graduation from an accredited Interpreter Training Program or following the date on which the mentor or trainer received the certification or classification specified in Subparagraph (b)(2) of this Rule; provided that, until July 1, 2008, a deaf person who is certified as an interpreter by RID may serve as a mentor or trainer without five years of professional experience;

(4)           Each mentor or trainer used by the program is currently licensed by the Board; and

(5)           The students being mentored or trained always work under the supervision of a mentor or trainer who meets the qualifications set out in Subparagraphs (a)(2) through (a)(4) of this Rule.

(b)  A student in a mentoring or training program approved by the Board must obtain a license from the Board before the person provides interpreting or transliterating services for a fee or other consideration outside of the approved mentoring or training program.

(c)  As used in Subparagraph (a)(3) of this Rule, the phrase "has five years of professional experience as an interpreter or transliterator" means that the mentor or trainer has provided interpreter or transliterator services for persons other than family members and friends, for a fee or other consideration, for a total of 60 consecutive or nonconsecutive months. Each full month of full-time or part-time employment as an interpreter or transliterator --- or as a teacher of interpreting or transliterating --- shall be counted toward the required 60 months of experience.

(d)  As used in Subparagraph (a)(5) of this Rule, the phrase "always work[s] under the supervision of a mentor or trainer" means that a mentor or trainer is routinely available to observe and critique the student's performance, to answer questions, and to demonstrate proper technique. It does not mean that the student is always accompanied by the mentor or trainer.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90D-4(b)(2); 90D-6;

Eff. March 21, 2005;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. July 22, 2017.