Texas Interpreter Certification
Complete Texas BEI Certification Guide
Texas's certification system for sign language interpreters, including eligibility, exams, certification levels, fees, renewal, specialty credentials, and verification.
Built from the current BEI Manual (Texas HHS), Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 81, 26 TAC Chapter 360, and official Texas HHS BEI program pages. Exam preparation lives in the Texas BEI Study Guide; detailed renewal planning lives in Renewing Your Interpreter Certification.
Why this guide exists
The rules governing Texas interpreter certification are spread across the BEI Manual, the Texas Administrative Code, and multiple Texas HHS program pages, and they mix current certificates with legacy ones. This guide assembles the whole system in one place: what BEI certification is, who can pursue it, how testing works, what each certificate means, what it costs, and how anyone can verify a credential. It is a certification reference, not a study aid; for preparing to pass the exams, see the Texas BEI Study Guide.
Who this guide is for
Quick facts
- BEI is Texas's state certification. The Board for Evaluation of Interpreters program is run by Texas HHS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services under Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 81.
- Two exams, in sequence. Candidates pass the written Test of English Proficiency (TEP), then a recorded interpreter performance test.
- Three current general levels. Basic, Advanced, and Master, plus specialty certificates for court, medical, and trilingual work and certificates for Deaf interpreters.
- College credit is required. 30 credit hours to sit for the TEP; an associate degree or 60 credit hours for a performance test and certificate (exemptions apply for pre-2012 certificate holders).
- Certification must be maintained. An annual renewal fee plus 10 CEUs (100 clock hours) every five-year cycle keep a certificate active.
- Anyone can verify a certificate. The public BEI Registry lists every active certificate holder; expired certificates drop off the list. See Verifying an interpreter.
Facts from the BEI Manual, Chapter 1 (Rev. 25-2, effective Nov. 10, 2025) and Texas HHS BEI program pages. Last reviewed July 2026.
How to use this guide
New to certification? Read Understanding BEI, then use the pathway chooser. Already certified and leveling up? Go straight to Levels and Specialty certificates. Hiring or booking an interpreter? Verifying an interpreter and the specialty overview answer most requester questions. Preparing to test? This guide covers the rules; the Texas BEI Study Guide covers how to pass.
Understanding BEI certification
The Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) is Texas's official certification system for sign language interpreters. Created in 1980, it was the nation's first state interpreter certification program. Today the program is administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS), under the authority of Texas Human Resources Code, Chapter 81, with program rules in Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Chapter 360.
A BEI certificate attests that an interpreter has passed a validated written English exam and a recorded performance exam scored by trained raters. It is the credential Texas state agencies, courts, schools, and many employers rely on when they need a "certified interpreter," and it is one of the two certification systems (alongside RID's national certification) recognized in Texas law for settings such as court proceedings.
What the program does
- Tests and certifies interpreters at general levels (Basic, Advanced, Master) and specialty levels (court, medical, trilingual, intermediary, oral, MSS, SEE).
- Maintains the public registry of certified interpreters so anyone can verify a credential.
- Regulates professional conduct. HHSC rules adopt the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct as the standard governing BEI-certified interpreters, and the program accepts and investigates complaints (BEI Manual, Chapter 2).
- Sets maintenance requirements — annual renewal and five-year recertification with continuing education.
Who the certificate is designed for
The BEI Manual defines the essential functions of a certified interpreter: the physical, cognitive, cultural, linguistic, and professional abilities the job demands — from ASL and English fluency and working memory to ethical practice under the Code of Professional Conduct. Certification exists to confirm those abilities through testing rather than self-report. Separate certificate tracks exist for hearing interpreters, Deaf (intermediary) interpreters, and oral transliterators.
Texas built the test other states use
The BEI exams were developed in Texas from an empirical job analysis of working interpreters. The testing system is now also used by Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin under their own state programs. See Working beyond Texas.
Choosing a certification pathway
Start with the situation that matches yours. Each card routes you to the part of the system that applies.
I'm new and want to become certified in Texas
Confirm you meet the eligibility requirements, pass the TEP, then take the Basic performance test — the standard entry point for new hearing candidates.
Check eligibilityI hold BEI Basic (or a legacy level) and want to move up
Current certificate holders can test for Advanced, then Master. Upgrading candidates are exempt from the education requirement but must have passed the TEP.
See the level ladderI hold RID certification and want a BEI credential
RID CSC, CI/CT, and NIC holders may enter directly at the Advanced performance test; NIC Advanced and NIC Master holders may test at Master.
See entry pointsI'm a Deaf interpreter
Level III Intermediary is the entry point for uncertified Deaf applicants, and Level V requires holding Level III first. Confirm current transcript and documentation requirements with BEI when applying.
Intermediary certificatesI want to work in courts, hospitals, or trilingual settings
Court, Medical, and Trilingual certificates are add-ons that require an existing qualifying general certificate first.
Specialty overviewI need to hire or verify a certified interpreter
Search the public BEI Registry by name to confirm a certificate is active, and match the certificate level to the setting.
Verification stepsDeciding between BEI and RID?
This guide covers a short comparison in Working beyond Texas. The full decision framework — recognition, portability, cost, and career fit — lives in the BEI vs. RID Certification Guide.
Eligibility and education requirements
Eligibility is layered: baseline requirements apply to everyone, and additional education requirements attach at the TEP, the performance test, and certificate issuance. All requirements below are official rules from the BEI Manual, Chapter 1 (Rev. 25-2).
| Stage | Requirements |
|---|---|
| To apply for any BEI exam | Be at least 18 years old; hold a high school diploma or equivalent; have no criminal conviction that would be grounds for denial or discipline under BEI rules. |
| To take the written TEP | Meet the baseline requirements, plus at least 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. |
| To take a performance test | Meet the baseline requirements; hold a passing TEP score (not required for specialty certificates); and hold an associate degree or at least 60 credit hours with a 2.0+ GPA (not required for specialty certificates or exempt legacy holders). |
| To be issued a certificate | Meet the baseline requirements; hold the associate degree / 60 credit hours (unless exempt); and pass the requisite examination for the level sought. |
Source: BEI Manual, Chapter 1, Section 1.2 (Rev. 25-2, effective Nov. 10, 2025).
Exemptions from the education requirement
- Pre-2012 certificate holders. Interpreters holding an active, valid BEI certificate from proceedings initiated before January 1, 2012 are exempt from the degree and credit-hour requirements as long as the certificate remains active — including, if in good standing, when testing for an additional certificate level.
- Upgrading certificate holders. Current BEI certificate holders applying to upgrade their level are exempt from the education requirement but must have passed the TEP.
- Specialty and intermediary candidates. Under Section 1.2, specialty certificate applicants are exempt from the TEP and from the education requirement for taking a performance test; the manual's certificate-issuance language is less explicit, so intermediary and specialty applicants should confirm current transcript or documentation requirements with BEI before applying (see Specialty certificates).
Criminal history is reviewed case by case
A conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant. HHSC reviews conviction records individually; if a record surfaces, the application is suspended until the applicant provides requested details, and failure to respond within 30 days forfeits the fee. See BEI Manual, Chapter 3.
Transcripts must come from the school
HHSC requires an official college transcript — emailed directly from the college or university to BEI, or mailed sealed. Plan for transcript processing time when scheduling your application.
Accommodations
Applicants with disabilities may request testing accommodations. Requests require documentation from a certified diagnosing professional dated within two years, submitted with the application, and are reviewed through the HHSC Civil Rights Office (BEI Manual, Section 1.4).
The TEP and performance-testing process
General certification is a two-exam sequence. The written Test of English Proficiency gates entry; the recorded performance test determines the certificate awarded. Applications, status checks, and CEU tracking all run through the online BEI Registry.
Apply for the TEP
Request the test in the BEI Registry with photo ID, official transcript (30+ hours), and the fee.
Pass the TEP
80 questions, 75 minutes, 55 correct to pass. Results are emailed in about 30 days.
Apply for a performance test
Apply for your eligible level with transcript (associate/60 hours) and fee; appointments are first-come, first-served.
Test and get certified
The recorded performance test is scored by trained raters; results are emailed in about 90 days.
The Test of English Proficiency (TEP)
The TEP is a written, multiple-choice exam of formal English at roughly a high-school-graduate level: 80 questions across five parts (reading comprehension, synonyms, grammar and usage, sentence completion, antonyms) with a 75-minute limit and a passing score of 55. It is administered by a contracted testing service at approved sites; some sites charge their own proctoring fee. Testing fees are forfeited if the TEP is not taken within 90 days of application (limited exceptions apply).
The performance tests
Performance tests are live, recorded exams administered by HHSC DHHS staff or a designee. Candidates interpret across expressive, receptive, and sight-translation tasks appropriate to the level tested. Once the test begins the recording cannot be stopped, rewound, or replayed; electronics and personal items are prohibited in the testing room; candidates must arrive at least 30 minutes early, and arriving more than 15 minutes late forfeits the appointment and fee. What each level tests, and how raters score it, is covered in depth in the Texas BEI Study Guide.
Results, retakes, and feedback
- Written results (TEP, TSP, court written test) are emailed about 30 days after the test date; performance results about 90 days after.
- Unsuccessful candidates must wait six months from the test date to retake, and must reapply with a new fee.
- Result letters for performance tests include rating feedback candidates can use, with the BEI Study Guide, to target weaknesses before retesting.
- All fees are non-refundable. Cancelling or missing a confirmed appointment forfeits the fee unless HHSC approves a documented exception (illness, family death, weather, or circumstances beyond your control).
Plan around the six-month retake wait
A failed exam costs the fee plus at least six months. Between application lead time, the wait for results, and the retake window, testing before you're ready can push certification back close to a year. Prepare to pass once — the Study Guide exists for exactly this.
Basic, Advanced, and Master certification
The current general certification system has three levels. Each certifies the holder for a widening range of settings and complexity; Texas HHS publishes recommended certification levels by setting in its guidance on selecting the right interpreter.
Routine settings
The standard entry certificate for new candidates. Suited to routine educational and social-service settings and everyday communication.
Routine high-stakes settings
For experienced interpreters working routine high-stakes assignments — medical, mental health, higher education, and quasi-legal settings. A common prerequisite tier for specialty certificates.
Complex high-stakes settings
The highest general certificate, for complex, high-stakes assignments involving dense, specialized language across medical, mental-health, quasi-legal, and educational settings.
Fees from the BEI Manual testing fee schedule; setting descriptions from the BEI Study Guide and Texas HHS interpreter-selection guidance.
Which performance test you can take
Entry points depend on what you already hold. New candidates start at Basic; existing BEI, RID, and out-of-state credentials unlock higher entry points.
| Current status | Eligible performance test |
|---|---|
| Not certified | Basic |
| BEI Level I, SEE, MSS, or Level II | Basic |
| BEI Level I–V or Basic | Advanced |
| RID CSC, CI, CT, or CI and CT | Advanced |
| NAD-RID NIC | Advanced |
| Level III or higher from another state | Advanced |
| BEI Level III, IV, V, OC:C, or Advanced | Master |
| NIC Advanced or NIC Master | Master |
| Not certified, applicant is Deaf | Level III Intermediary |
| Level III Intermediary | Level V Intermediary |
Source: BEI Manual, Chapter 1, Section 1.7.1. Credentials are shown at their highest entry point; NIC Advanced holders may also test at Advanced. Holders of RID, NIC, or another state's certification must submit a copy for verification when applying for the Advanced or Master test.
Legacy BEI certificates
Before the current Basic/Advanced/Master system, Texas certified interpreters at five numbered levels, Level I through Level V, along with certificates such as SEE and MSS. These legacy certificates remain valid as long as the holder maintains annual renewal and five-year recertification, and they map into the current system for upgrades (see the table above). Requesters may still encounter interpreters listed at legacy levels in the registry; as a rough working equivalence, Level III and above corresponds to the routine-to-complex high-stakes range now covered by Advanced and Master. Legacy holders from proceedings initiated before 2012 also keep their education-requirement exemption while their certificate stays active.
Legacy levels are no longer awarded
New candidates cannot test into Level I–V certificates; they exist only as maintained credentials. If a certificate lapses for more than a year, the holder must requalify through the current system's exams.
Specialty certificates at a glance
Beyond the general levels, BEI issues specialty certificates for high-stakes settings and specific interpreter populations. Most are add-ons requiring an existing qualifying certificate. This is an overview; dedicated guides for court, medical, and Deaf interpreting are planned.
| Certificate | Purpose | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Court Interpreter Certification (CIC) | Required (or an RID legal certificate) to interpret Texas court proceedings — a legal requirement since September 1, 2006. | Hearing applicants: prerequisite BEI certificate at Level III+, Intermediary III+, Advanced, Master, or OC:C (or qualifying RID certification); pass the HHSC-approved court written test proctored by the Office of Court Administration; then pass the court performance test. Deaf applicants: the same prerequisite certificates, plus 120 clock hours of HHSC-approved court interpreter training and/or mentoring (12 CEUs of approved courtroom instruction, 120 hours of mentored practice under an approved certified court interpreter, or a 120-hour combination) before taking the court written test. BEI Manual, Chapter 4. |
| Medical Interpreter Certification | Certifies interpreters for medical and healthcare settings. | Qualifying prerequisite certificate; proof of at least 80 credit hours of HHSC-approved medical interpretation instruction; pass the medical performance test. BEI Manual, Chapter 7. |
| Trilingual Certification | Verifies proficiency across spoken English, spoken Spanish, and ASL. | Prerequisite BEI general certificate (or qualifying RID/NIC certification); pass the written Test of Spanish Proficiency (TSP) and the trilingual performance test. BEI Manual, Chapter 6. |
| Intermediary (Level III / Level V) | Certifies Deaf and hard of hearing interpreters who work alone or in teams with hearing interpreters, including with non-standard signs, minimal language, DeafBlind, and indigenous communication. | Applicant is Deaf or hard of hearing; Level III Intermediary is the entry point for uncertified applicants, and Level V requires holding Level III Intermediary first. The manual exempts specialty applicants from the TEP and the performance-test education requirement; confirm current transcript or certificate-issuance documentation with BEI. |
| Oral Certificates (OC:B, OC:C, OC:V) | Certify oral transliteration — Basic, Comprehensive, and Visible tracks (OC:V for Deaf applicants). | Ladder from Level I Oral / OC:B up to OC:C; OC:V is open to Deaf applicants who are not otherwise certified. |
| MSS and SEE | Certify interpreting in Morphemic Sign System and Signing Exact English. | Separate performance tests; holders may also test for Basic under the general track. |
Sources: BEI Manual, Chapters 1, 4, 6, and 7; Texas HHS "BEI Certificates Awarded" page. Under Section 1.2, specialty candidates are exempt from the TEP and the education requirement for taking a performance test; applicants should confirm current certificate-issuance documentation with BEI.
Court work is a legal line, not a preference
Since September 1, 2006, interpreters in Texas court proceedings must hold a current BEI Court Interpreter Certification or a current legal certificate from RID. A general certificate alone — even Master — does not qualify an interpreter for court proceedings.
Specialty certificates change your CEU mix
Court, medical, and trilingual certificate holders must earn part of their five-year CEUs in specialty-specific topics. The breakdowns are summarized in Maintaining certification and covered fully in Renewing Your Interpreter Certification.
Fees and realistic timelines
All fees paid to HHSC for the BEI program are non-refundable. Testing fees are set in the fee schedule below; annual renewal and recertification fees are in Maintaining certification.
| Examination | Fee |
|---|---|
| Test of English Proficiency (TEP) | $95 |
| Basic Performance Test | $145 |
| Advanced Performance Test | $170 |
| Master Performance Test | $195 |
| Level III Intermediary Performance Test | $75 |
| Level V Intermediary Performance Test | $75 |
| American Sign Language Proficiency Test for persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing (confirm its current application with BEI) | $75 |
| MSS Performance Test | $85 |
| SEE Performance Test | $85 |
| Oral Certificate: Basic (OC:B) | $85 |
| Oral Certificate: Comprehensive (OC:C) | $105 |
| Oral Certificate: Visible (OC:V) | $50 |
| Test of Spanish Proficiency (TSP) | $95 |
| Trilingual Advanced Performance Test | $160 |
| Trilingual Master Performance Test | $185 |
| Medical Performance Test | $185 |
| Court application fee (written test; plus $50 registration/proctoring fee paid to the Office of Court Administration) | $50 |
| Court Interpreter Performance Test | $185 |
Source: 26 TAC §360.231, the governing BEI fee schedule, with court application details from BEI Manual, Chapter 4. Deaf and hard of hearing performance tests (including Intermediary levels) carry the $75 fee set in §360.231. Some TEP testing sites charge an additional proctoring fee payable directly to the site. Re-verify fees before budgeting.
What a realistic timeline looks like
Official processing windows: applications must be complete ahead of test dates, written results arrive in about 30 days, and performance results in about 90 days. Stacking those windows, a well-prepared first-time candidate should expect the path from TEP application to a Basic certificate to take roughly six months to a year, driven mostly by test-date availability and the 90-day performance scoring window. A failed exam adds at least six months. These duration estimates are 3 Bridges editorial guidance, not official figures; the component windows are official.
Budget beyond the test fee
The realistic cost of certification includes the TEP ($95), a performance test ($145–$195), transcript orders, possible site proctoring fees, and preparation. Retakes double the exam line. First-year holders also begin paying the annual renewal fee (see Maintaining certification).
Maintaining certification: renewal and CEUs
A BEI certificate is not permanent — it runs on two clocks. Miss either and the certificate expires. This is the overview; detailed CEU planning, reinstatement strategy, and lapse recovery live in Renewing Your Interpreter Certification.
The two clocks
- Annual renewal. Pay the annual renewal fee before the certificate's expiration date each year. Courtesy notices go out at least 60 days ahead, but not receiving one does not prevent expiration.
- Five-year recertification. Earn 10.0 CEUs (100 clock hours) during each five-year cycle — at least 6.0 in interpreting-related topics, at least 2.0 in ethics, and no more than 2.0 in general studies — then apply to recertify with documentation and the fee.
| Situation | Annual renewal | Five-year recertification |
|---|---|---|
| One certificate, paid on time | $75 | $70 |
| One certificate, 1–90 days late | $112.50 | $105 |
| One certificate, 91–364 days late | $150 | $140 |
| Multiple certificates, paid on time | $105 | $100 |
| Multiple certificates, 1–90 days late | $157.50 | $150 |
| Multiple certificates, 91–364 days late | $210 | $200 |
Source: BEI Manual, Chapter 1, Section 1.10. A certificate expired for one year or more cannot be renewed — the holder must requalify by examination.
Rules worth knowing at the overview level
- Interpreting on an expired certificate is a rules violation in any situation where certification is required.
- Specialty holders have modified CEU mixes — for example, general + court holders need 2.0 CEUs in approved court topics; general + trilingual holders need 3.0 in trilingual topics; general + medical holders need 2.0 in approved medical topics — within the same 10.0 total.
- Multiple certificates reset the clock. Earning an additional BEI certificate starts a single new five-year cycle for all certificates, and CEUs earned before the new award date are void.
- CEUs don't carry over between cycles, and a workshop counts only once per cycle.
- Insufficient CEUs at the deadline expires the certificate, with a 364-day window to submit the missing documentation before requalification by testing is the only path back.
Working beyond Texas: BEI states and RID
The five BEI states
Texas developed the BEI examinations, and four other states license or lease the testing system for their own certification programs: Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Each state administers its own applications, sets its own eligibility details, and runs its own CEU and licensing requirements — a Texas BEI certificate is not automatically a license in another BEI state, but BEI credentials are widely recognized across these programs (for example, a Level III or higher certificate from another state qualifies a candidate for the Texas Advanced performance test).
Moving states? Check the destination's rules first
Recognition runs state by state. Before relocating or accepting cross-state work, confirm the destination state's licensure requirements with its deaf and hard of hearing commission — several non-BEI states (for example, Arizona and New Mexico) also recognize or accept BEI credentials within their own licensing systems.
BEI and RID in brief
BEI is a state certification system; RID (the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) is the national one, with exams now administered through CASLI. Both are recognized in Texas — state law accepts RID legal certification for court work alongside BEI CIC, RID credentials unlock BEI entry points, and Texas adopts the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct for all BEI-certified interpreters. The practical differences are recognition footprint (Texas and BEI states vs. national), testing systems, cost structures, and maintenance models. The full comparison, portability analysis, and decision framework are in the BEI vs. RID Certification Guide; the national pathway itself is covered in the RID/NIC Certification Guide.
Verifying an interpreter
Certification status is public. Anyone — a school, court, hospital, agency, or consumer — can confirm whether an interpreter holds an active BEI certificate.
- Search the public BEI Registry. Open the Public Interpreter Registry and search by name. The listing shows the interpreter's certification level(s) and city.
- Check that the certificate is current. Expired certificates are removed from the public list — if the interpreter doesn't appear, the certificate may be expired or the credential may not be a BEI certificate at all.
- Match the level to the setting. Court proceedings legally require BEI CIC or RID legal certification. For other settings, Texas HHS publishes recommended certification levels by situation — use it to judge whether Basic, Advanced, Master, or a specialty certificate fits the assignment.
- For RID credentials, verify with RID. The BEI Registry covers BEI certificates. An interpreter claiming RID certification should appear in RID's own member/certification search at rid.org.
"Certified" claims deserve a 60-second check
Training program completions, agency screenings, and private assessments are not state or national certification. If an assignment legally or contractually requires a certified interpreter, verify in the BEI Registry or with RID before confirming the booking — not after.
Common misunderstandings
"Passing the TEP makes me certified"
The TEP is a prerequisite, not a certificate. Certification is awarded only after passing a performance test. (Illinois's system does grant a provisional license on a BEI TEP pass — but that is Illinois licensure, not Texas certification.)
"A Master certificate covers court work"
It doesn't. Texas court proceedings require the Court Interpreter Certification or an RID legal certificate, regardless of general level. See Specialty certificates.
"My RID certification transfers into a BEI certificate"
RID certification is recognized — it unlocks Advanced or Master entry points — but there is no direct conversion. You still take and pass the BEI performance test.
"If I miss a renewal, I can just pay later"
Only within limits. Late renewal costs 1.5× the fee up to 90 days and 2× up to 364 days — and past one year the certificate is gone, recoverable only by retesting. Interpreting on an expired certificate where certification is required violates HHSC rules.
"BEI certification works like a license in every state"
Each state regulates interpreters separately. BEI credentials are recognized across the five BEI states and by some others, but recognition and licensure rules are set by each state. See Working beyond Texas.
"Any degree requirement can be waived"
The exemptions are narrow — and they attach to testing, not automatically to certificate issuance. Pre-2012 certificate holders in good standing and current holders upgrading levels are exempt from the education requirement; specialty and intermediary applicants are exempt from the TEP and the education requirement for taking a performance test, but should confirm certificate-issuance documentation with BEI. Everyone else needs the credit hours — 30 for the TEP, an associate degree or 60 for a performance test.
Frequently asked questions
Getting certified
Do I need a degree to become BEI certified?
- You need at least 30 college credit hours (2.0+ GPA) to take the TEP, and an associate degree or 60 credit hours to take a performance test and be issued a certificate. See Eligibility for the exemptions.
What order do the exams happen in?
- TEP first, then the performance test for your eligible level. The full sequence is in The TEP and performance-testing process.
How long does certification take?
- Plan on roughly six months to a year from TEP application to a first certificate, driven by test availability and the ~90-day performance scoring window (editorial estimate; see Fees and timelines).
How do I prepare for the exams?
- That's the job of the Texas BEI Study Guide — exam formats, scoring criteria, skill-building, and a 12-week plan.
What happens if I fail?
- You wait six months from the test date, reapply, and pay a new fee. Performance result letters include rater feedback to target before retesting. See results and retakes.
I have a criminal record. Can I still apply?
- Possibly — HHSC reviews conviction records case by case rather than applying automatic bars. See Eligibility and BEI Manual, Chapter 3.
Levels and specialties
Which level should I aim for?
- New candidates start at Basic. Advanced suits routine high-stakes work; Master covers complex high-stakes assignments. The pathway chooser routes you by starting point.
I'm RID certified. Where do I enter?
- CSC, CI/CT, and NIC holders enter at the Advanced performance test; NIC Advanced and NIC Master holders at Master. See the entry-point table.
Are Level I–V certificates still valid?
- Yes, as long as they're maintained — but they're no longer awarded to new candidates. See Legacy BEI certificates.
What do I need to interpret in court?
- A current BEI Court Interpreter Certification or a current RID legal certificate — required by law for Texas court proceedings since 2006. See Specialty certificates.
How do Deaf interpreters get certified?
- Through the intermediary track: Level III Intermediary is the entry point for uncertified Deaf applicants, then Level V. Confirm current transcript and documentation requirements with BEI when applying. See Specialty certificates.
Maintenance and verification
What does maintaining certification cost?
- $75 per year for one certificate ($105 for multiple), plus $70 at each five-year recertification ($100 multiple) with 10 CEUs earned in the cycle. Full planning detail is in Renewing Your Interpreter Certification.
My certificate expired. Now what?
- Within 90 days: renew at 1.5× the fee. Within 364 days: 2× the fee. Past one year: requalify by examination. See Maintaining certification.
How do I confirm an interpreter is certified?
- Search the public BEI Registry; active certificates appear, expired ones don't. Steps and setting-matching guidance are in Verifying an interpreter.
Does my Texas certificate work in other states?
- It's recognized across the BEI states and by some others, but each state sets its own licensing rules — verify with the destination state. See Working beyond Texas.
Official resources
Texas HHS / BEI
- BEI certification program (Texas HHS)
- BEI Manual (all chapters)
- BEI Registry (applications, CEUs, status)
- Public Interpreter Registry (verify a certificate)
- BEI public test schedule
- BEI Frequently Asked Questions (HHS)
- BEI Testing and the official Study Guide
- Recommended certification levels by setting (HHS)
- BEI program email (dhhs.bei@hhs.texas.gov)
Law and national bodies
About this guide
This certification guide is maintained by 3 Bridges Sign Language Services and is reviewed periodically against the BEI Manual, the Texas Administrative Code, and official Texas HHS resources. It is a reference and does not replace official BEI guidance; fees and requirements are set by HHSC and can change. If official requirements change or you find an error, please contact us.
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