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Update on Sign Language Interpreter Licensing and Rulemaking Activities

Thursday, June 18, 2026

The Health Licensing Office (HLO) is providing this update regarding implementation of ongoing rulemaking activities related to sign language interpreter licensing in Oregon including upcoming opportunities for public participation in the rulemaking process. Additional information includes an update to extend the limited waiver on enforcement, and frequently asked questions related to changes to existing license types.

Extension of the Limited Waiver on Enforcement:

The Health Licensing Office (HLO) is extending the limited waiver on enforcement through midnight on December 31, 2026.

This extension allows the Oregon Board of Sign Language Interpreters (Board) to continue finalizing the rulemaking process and allowing sufficient time for permanent rules to become effective. Extending the waiver also provides interested parties with additional time to implement the new rules into their business practices and operations.

Under this limited waiver, the HLO will not take disciplinary action against individuals providing signed language interpreting (SLI) services without a permanent board license. This waiver also allows businesses to employ or contract with an individual who is not licensed to provide signed language interpretation services. This waiver applies only to the act of providing SLI services without a license. The HLO may still pursue disciplinary action for violations of any other applicable statutes or administrative rules.

Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals providing signed language interpreting services in Oregon must hold a permanent board license to avoid enforcement action.

Expect Permanent Rules by September 1, 2026:

The Board approved proposed rules at the April 20, 2026, meeting. The HLO anticipates filing the proposed rules with the Secretary of State (SOS) on or before July 1, 2026, to begin the permanent rulemaking process.

Proposed rules include but are limited to:

Fees for the issuance and renewal of licenses.
Application requirements to obtain a SLI-in-training license and an SLI provisional license.
Supervision requirements for a SLI-in-training and provisional license holder.
Repealing the three specialty license types (educational, medical and legal).
Settings in which the specialty license holders may provide signed language interpretation services.
Application requirements to obtain an SLI supervisory and generalist license.
Renewal and continuing education requirements for all SLI license holders.
Additional exceptions that allow a person to provide SLI services in Oregon without a license under specified circumstances.

Rules are expected to become permanent on September 1, 2026. The anticipated effective date is contingent on the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) approving the fees established by the Board.

Please see the anticipated rulemaking schedule below. The timeline below does not include temporary rules.

Date:	Action:	Time:
June 6, 2026	Documentation submitted to Oregon Health Authority to be sent to Department of Administrative Services approval of Board proposed rules
July 1, 2026	Notice of proposed rules published in Oregon Bulletin & first day of public comment. The proposed rules incorporate the temporary rules.
July 1, 2026	Notify interested parties that proposed rules have been filed legislators (49-days) of filing of proposed rules
July 1, 2026	Notify legislators 49 days prior to rules becoming effective
July 22, 2026	Public rule hearing in-person and through Zoom	5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
July 23, 2026	Public rule hearing in-person and through Zoom	10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
July 28, 2026	Last day for public comment	12 p.m. (noon)
August 17, 2026	Board meeting: no public and interested parties feedback period on the agenda Consider public comment submitted timely Consider Hearing Officer report Adopt permanent rules	9:30 a.m. to
To be determined	Department of Administrative Services approval of fees
September 1, 2026	ANTICIPATED permanent rules effective

Repealed License Information:

SB 950 (2025) repealed the SLI educational, medical and legal licenses effective January 1, 2026. All SLI educational, medical and legal licenses issued between June 8, 2024, and December 31, 2025, will remain valid through January 1, 2029. The HLO will no longer renew or issue any SLI educational, medical or legal licenses after January 1, 2026.

The HLO has provided FAQs to help understand how the current law aligns with SB 950 (2025).

FAQ for Sign Language Interpreter Educational License

FAQ for Sign Language Interpreter Legal License

FAQ for Sign Language Interpreter Medical License

Summary:

The HLO is extending the limited waiver on enforcement through December 31, 2026, allowing time to complete the rulemaking process.
Proposed rules are anticipated to be filed with the Secretary of State on or before July 1, 2026, beginning the rulemaking process, including public hearings and an opportunity for written comment.
The proposed rules include changes from SB 950 (2025) and updates to fees for the issuance and renewal of licenses, license and renewal requirements, continuing education requirements, and additional circumstances under which services may be provided without a license.
Rules are expected to become permanent on September 1, 2026, contingent on the Department of Administrative Service (DAS), approving licensing fees as required under ORS 291.055.
Existing SLI educational, legal, and medical licenses issued before January 1, 2026, remain valid through January 1, 2029, but those license types will no longer be issued or renewed.
Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals providing SLI services in Oregon must hold a license unless they qualify for an exemption established in law or rule.
Licensing fees remain non-refundable once a completed application is submitted, approved, and a license is issued.

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