Section 1515.90  Proficiency Levels

 

a)         Upon request of any consumer or hiring entity, an interpreter shall show proof of his or her Illinois license indicating proficiency level.

 

b)         As sign language interpreters' credentials are based on proficiency level, in order to protect the health, welfare and safety of the deaf and hard of hearing consumers, interpreters shall only accept assignments appropriate for their proficiency level based upon accepted certifications for licensure.  Interpreters should accept, refuse or withdraw from assignments based upon their experience, capabilities and credentials.

 

c)         Provisional License Interpreters with a valid provisional license may appropriately interpret in the following settings:

 

1)         Vocational Rehabilitation

 

A)        Job Coaching

 

B)        Employment Training/Workshops

 

2)         Community Education

 

3)         Recreational/Educational Programs

 

4)         Entertainment/Social Events (not including live, professional stage performances)

 

d)         Interpreters with a valid license with an intermediate proficiency level may appropriately interpret in the following settings:

 

1)         Law Enforcement Education

 

2)         Community Health Education

 

3)         Post-Secondary Education

 

4)         Educational Conferences

 

A)        Workshops

 

B)        Training

 

C)        Professional Development

 

5)         Employment Maintenance

 

A)        Staff Meetings

 

B)        Training

 

6)         Government Services

 

7)         Correctional Education

 

8)         Medical

 

A)        Nursing and Personal Care (nursing homes)

 

B)        Routine, Non-clinical

 

C)        12 STEP Programs/Group Homes/Day Programs

 

                        9)         Video Relay Services

 

10)        All settings appropriate to a provisional license

 

e)         Advanced Proficiency Level Interpreters with a valid license with an advanced proficiency level are appropriate to interpret the following settings:

 

1)         Professional Stage Performances – Live

 

2)         Medical

 

A)        Routine Clinical Appointments

 

B)        Emergency Room

 

C)        Obstetrics

 

D)        Life Threatening

 

3)         Mental Health and Psychiatry

 

A)        Routine Clinical

 

B)        Crisis Intervention

 

C)        Hospitalization

 

4)         Employment

 

A)        Interviews

 

B)        Hiring

 

C)        Firing

 

D)        Performance Evaluations

 

E)        Discipline

 

5)         Government/Government Services

 

A)        Administrative Proceedings/Hearings

 

B)        Social Services

 

i)          Department of Children and Family Services

 

ii)         Social Security

 

iii)        Financial Assistance

 

6)         VR Counseling

 

7)         Financial Management

 

A)        Purchasing

 

B)        Tax Preparation

 

C)        Real Estate

 

D)        Insurance

 

8)         Legal

 

            A)        Criminal Misdemeanor (non-trial only)

 

            B)        Civil (minor)

 

            C)        Correctional

 

            D)        Attorney-Client Meetings

 

9)         All settings appropriate for provisional licensees and licensees with intermediate proficiency levels.

 

f)         Master Proficiency Level Interpreters with a valid license with a master proficiency level may appropriately interpret in the following settings:

 

1)         Legal

 

A)        Trials

 

B)        Criminal (Felony)

 

C)        Civil (Major)

 

D)        Juvenile/Family Court

 

E)        Law Enforcement

 

2)         All settings appropriate for provisional licensees and licensees with intermediate and advanced proficiency levels