Scam Alert

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) will never ask you to provide credit card numbers or other personal information by phone, text, email, or mail. LARA has identified fraudulent communications impersonating department staff. These scams may include requests for payment or personal information. Please do not respond to these messages and report any suspicious activity to LARA‑Safety@michigan.gov. (This email is for fraud purposes only; messages unrelated to LARA‑related fraud will not receive a response.)

Learn how to spot and avoid scams

LARA

Popular on michigan.gov

How Do I...

Qualified Interpreter

Qualified Interpreter

Michigan Qualified Interpreter Program

The Qualified Interpreter (QI) Program certifies qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. The QI Program processes applications for sign language interpreters such as: Test of English Proficiency (TEP) & Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) exams, initial certification, and renewals. The Michigan accepted certification credentials are: MI BEI, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), and Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA).

Board of Interpreters for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (View Board Member information here)

Regular Board Meetings Notice 2026

ASL 10/15/2026 Board Meeting Announcement

Workshop: Preparing for the BEI Basic Evaluation

This $20 remote workshop will be hosted online on Friday, September 25, 2026. The deadline to register is Tuesday, September 15.

View the flyer and learn more

Register for the workshop

Search for Sign Language Interpreters

MICHIGAN ONLINE INTERPRETER SYSTEM (MOIS)
Notice: Check the registry to find a Michigan certified ASL Interpreter (View in ASL)

Directory: Interpreter Agencies and Interpreter Training Programs
County Map for MOIS

Renew Your Certification

Renewal Processing Notice

The QI Program is diligently working to review and process applications as they are received. We will reach out if additional information is needed. Please check MOIS for updates. Once processed, the certificate will be sent via U.S. mail. If a certified interpreter has submitted a renewal application with the appropriate documentation and fee payment, they may continue to work temporarily with an expired listing while the department processes the application. The expired listing will appear temporarily in MOIS during the periods outlined below.

If a renewal application is not postmarked on or before the due date of June 30th or the annual BEI certificate expiration due date a $15 late fee will be applied. A qualified interpreter with an EIPA or RID credential who fails to submit a renewal within 45 calendar days must pay a reinstatement fee. A qualified interpreter with a BEI credential who allows it to lapse must retest and pay the examination fee for reinstatement unless the fully completed renewal is submitted within 90 calendar days following the date the credential expired.
Applications

BEI Exam Application

Initial Certification Application

Renewal Application

Endorsement Application

Approved Endorsement List

Michigan Interpreter Certification Verification Request

Michigan Interpreter Name Change & Replacement Card

Continuing Education (CEU) Sponsorship Application

Substitute 3.5 to 3.9 Educational Interpreter & Regularly Assigned Exception

School District Request for Exception to Educational Interpreter Standards Form
Testing

BEI Exam Application

BEI TEP Exam Schedule

Michigan BEI Study Guide

Pre-Graduation TEP Approved Procedure

Michigan Department of Education – EIPA Information

EIPA Boys Town National Research Hospital Information
Other Information

Michigan Certified Interpreters Minimum Standard Levels

Mentorship Experience Approved Procedure

Acknowledgment of Responsibility For Proceeding Without Qualified Interpreter

Full Waiver Form

Limited Waiver Form

Michigan Department of Civil Rights: Division on Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing
Complaints

Qualified Interpreter Complaint Form

Complaint FAQs
Michigan Statutes and Rules
Review the pre-draft Qualified Interpreter General Rules

The Qualified Interpreter Program is pleased to announce the release of proposed draft changes to the existing Qualified Interpreter General Rules. A version is available in American Sign Language with captions and voiceover, released as a video playlist on YouTube.

Pre-draft rules

Read the pre-draft Qualified Interpreter General Rules

Watch the pre-draft rules in American Sign Language

Town Hall Dates (View in ASL)

Town Hall PowerPoint Slides

The ASL, English captions, and English voice-over in the YouTube video playlist are an aid to the pre-draft rules. The information communicated in the videos is not meant to be a legal interpretation of the pre-draft rules or legal advice.

This early draft of the Qualified Interpreter General Rules was developed in cooperation with members of the Board of Interpreters, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and Michigan Department of Education. Thank you to Deaf Professional Arts Network (DPAN) for help developing the videos.

Please send comments about these pre-draft rules to LARA-BCHS-Qualified-Interpreter@michigan.gov. As an accommodation, deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals may call 517-299-0321 using a videophone and leave a recorded message. If responding to a specific rule in the pre-draft rules, please include the rule reference.

Town Hall 10/16/24

Town Hall Meeting Notice 10/16/24

ASL Town Hall Meeting Announcement 10/16/24 (youtube.com)

Town Hall Draft QI Administrative Rules Highlights Summary

Recording of the Town Hall meeting held on 10/16/24

Executive Order

Deaf Persons' Interpreters Act

Qualified Interpreter - General Rules
Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind, & Hard of Hearing (D/DB/HH)
Board Meeting Notices

Regular Board Meetings Notice 2026 - Amended

Regular Board Meetings Notice 2026

Regular Board Meetings Notice 2025 - Amended

Regular Board Meetings Notice 2024

Regular Board Meetings Notice 2023-Amended

Regular Board Meetings Notice 2022

Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes

Board Meeting 4/13/26

  Board Meeting Agenda for 4/13/26

  ASL Board Meeting Announcement 4/13/26 - YouTube

  Recording of the Board Meeting held on 4/13/26

  Department PowerPoint for 4/13/26

  Approved Board Minutes for the 4/13/26 meeting

Board Meeting 1/28/26

  Board Meeting Agenda for 1/28/26

  ASL Board Meeting Announcement 1/28/26 - YouTube

  Recording of the Board Meeting held on 1/28/26

  Department PowerPoint for 1/28/26

  Approved Board Minutes for the 1/28/26 meeting

Board Meeting 10/8/25

Board Meeting Agenda for 10/8/25

  ASL Board Meeting Announcement 10/8/25 - YouTube

  Recording of the Board Meeting held on 10/8/25

  Department PowerPoint for 10/8/25

  Approved Board Minutes for the 10/8/25 meeting

Board Meeting 5/13/25

Updated Board Meeting Agenda for 5/13/25

      Recording of the Board Meeting held on 5/13/25

      Department PowerPoint for 5/13/25

      Approved Board Minutes for the 5/13/25 meeting

Board Meeting 1/29/25

Board Meeting Agenda for 1/29/25

Recording of the Board Meeting held on 1/29/25

Department PowerPoint for 1/29/25

Board Minutes Approved 1/29/25

Board Meeting 10/16/24

         ASL Board Meeting Announcement 10/16/24 (youtube.com)

         Board Meeting Agenda for 10/16/24

         Recording of the Board Meeting held on 10/16/24

         Department PowerPoint for 10/16/24

         Board Minutes Approved 10/16/24

Board Meeting 5/8/24

Board Meeting Agenda for 5/8/24

Recording of the Board Meeting held on 5/8/24

Department PowerPoint for 5/8/24

Board Minutes Approved 5/8/24

Watch the ASL Board Meeting Announcement 5/8/24 here

Board Meeting 2/14/24

         Board Meeting Agenda for 2/14/24

         Recording of the Board Meeting held on 2/14/24

         Department PowerPoint for 2/14/24

         Board Minutes Approved 2/14/24

Board Meeting 10/25/23

Board Meeting Agenda for 10/25/23

Recording of the Board Meeting held on 10/25/23

Department PowerPoint for 10/25/23

Board Minutes Approved 10/25/23

Board Meeting 8/9/23

07.26.23 Board Meeting—Cancelled

Board Meeting Agenda for 8/9/23

Recording of the Board Meeting held on 8/9/23

Department PowerPoint for 8/9/23

Board Minutes Approved 8/9/23

Board Meeting 4/18/23

Board Meeting Agenda for 4/18/23

Recording of the Board Meeting held on 4/18/23

Department PowerPoint for 4/18/23

Board Minutes Approved 4/18/23

Board Meeting 1/31/23

Board Meeting Agenda for 01/31/2023

Recording of the Board Meeting held on 1/31/23

Department PowerPoint for 1/31/23

Board Minutes Approved 1/31/23

Board Meeting 10/26/22

Board Meeting Notice for 10/26/2022

Board Meeting Agenda for 10/26/2022

Board Minutes Approved 10/26/2022

Board Meeting 5/18/22

Qualified Interpreter Meeting Agenda 5/18/2022

Board Minutes Approved 5/18/2022
Michigan Interpreter Needs Assessment (MINA)
The MINA data report presents findings from a mixed method study of current trends and challenges in sign language interpreting in Michigan. Participants included qualified interpreters certified by Michigan and deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals in Michigan. This study was designed, conducted, and presented by Innivee Strategies, Inc., and generously funded by the following organizations:

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund, which works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and older adults. You can learn more at mihealthfund.org.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), a statewide leader representing all community hospitals in Michigan. MHA represents the interests of its member hospitals and health systems in both the legislative and regulatory areas on key issues and supports their efforts to provide quality, cost-effective and accessible care. You can learn more at mha.org.

MINA Data Report

Innivee Presentation

Innivee MINA Presentation to the Board

Michigan Interpreter Needs Assessment Introduction

Press Release
Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Bureau of Community and Health Systems

PO Box 30664

Lansing, MI 48909

Phone: 517-241-0097 or Toll Free 1-833-519-7227

Videophone: 517-299-0321

Email: LARA-BCHS-Qualified-Interpreter@michigan.gov

GovDelivery: GovDelivery allows you to sign up for announcements and alerts from the Qualified Interpreter Program. Your information will not be shared.