Sign Language Interpreters

Become a Qualified or Certified Sign Language Health Care Interpreter

Step 1

Meet all of the Requirements

Oregon Qualification and Certification for Sign Language Interpreters

English Version: Sign Language HCI Requirements

Spanish Version: Sign Language HCI Requirements

Qualified Sign Language: Checklist

Certified Sign Language: Checklist

Step 2

Complete Your Initial Application for Health Care Interpreter in the Portal

Renew Sign Language HCI credentials:

Step 1

Meet all the requirements

Oregon Qualification and Certification for Sign Language Interpreters

For first time renewing qualified Sign Language HCIs, you must complete a 60-hour OHA approved health care interpreter training program, along with 24 hours of CEUs. In the health care interpreter portal, create a new application and select certified Sign Language interpreter, not qualified interpreter. You will be listed in the registry as a certified Sign Language interpreter.

For renewing certified Sign Language HCIs, you must have completed 24 hours of CEUs. Select renewal and proceed as usual.

Renewing Qualified Sign Language: Checklist
Renewing Certified Sign Language: Checklist
CEUs spreadsheet

Step 2

Complete your renewal application in the Health Care Interpreter Portal

If you are experiencing difficulties accesing your portal account, please email us at: HCI.program@odhsoha.oregon.gov

Hard copy applications:

Sign Language Health Care Interpreter Application

,* (Historical Changes to HCI Application)

Health Care Interpreter Program

Equity and Inclusion Division
421 SW Oak St. Suite 750
Portland, Oregon 97204

HCI Phone Number: (971) 673-3378
Fax number is 971-673-1128.

HB 2696 Sign Language License

Temporary License Communcation

Limited Waiver on Enforcement Extended Wednesday, May 15, 2024 Since the Board was not permitted to meet until on or after January 1, 2024, the same day House Bill 2696 (2023) required sign language interpreters to be licensed to practice in Oregon, the Health Licensing Office (HLO) is exercising its discretion and will not impose discipline for practicing without a license on any sign language interpreters who obtain a license before December 31, 2024 (previously June 8, 2024). The limited waiver on enforcement began on January 1, 2024, and now ends on December 31, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. The limited waiver of enforcement is narrow; the waiver only applies to the singular issue of providing sign language interpretation services in Oregon without a license. The HLO may impose discipline for any other violation of the HLO or Board rules or statutes.

For more information and to stay up to date, please go to the Health Licensing Office, Board of Sign Language Interpreters link.

For the latest HLO news, you may also go to the HLO news page.

A synopsis of the framework of the bill and the developmental process for licensure requirements can be found in this informational video: November 2023 Licensure Update. For more information about the framework and process of passing the bill, as well as an ASL version of the bill visit: https://www.orid.org/oregon-licensure.