When are Language Interpreters Required in North Carolina?

Do You Know the Rule?

Language access services for people navigating the workers' compensation system are required by law in North Carolina. Simply Research subscribers have access to the full text of the statute governing foreign language and sign language interpreters in the Tarheel State, but we highlight key points here.

Basics

When a person who does not speak or understand the English language or who is speech or hearing impaired is either called to testify in a hearing, other than in an informal hearing, or appears unrepresented before the Full Commission for an oral argument, the person, whether a party or a witness, shall be assisted by a qualified interpreter upon request. 

Qualifications

To qualify as a foreign language interpreter, a person shall possess sufficient experience and education, or a combination of experience and education, speaking and understanding English and the foreign language to be interpreted, to qualify as an expert witness pursuant to G.S. 8C-1, Rule 702.

For Spanish language interpretation, the interpreter must be "Level A" certified by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts.

Conflicts of Interest

A person qualified as an interpreter shall not be interested in the claim and shall make a declaration under oath or affirmation to interpret accurately and truthfully, meaning without any additions or deletions, all questions propounded to the witness and all responses thereto.

Licensing for Sign Language

To qualify as a sign language interpreter, a person shall possess a license from the North Carolina Interpreter and Transliterator Licensing Board, under Chapter 90D of the North Carolina General Statutes.

Notice to the Other Side

Any party who is unable to speak or understand English, or who is speech or hearing impaired, or who intends to call as a witness a person who is unable to speak or understand English or who is speech or hearing impaired, shall so notify the Commission and the opposing party, in writing, not less than 21 days prior to the date of the hearing. The notice shall state the language(s) that shall be interpreted for the Commission.

Employer/Insurer Responsibilities

Upon receiving or giving notice, the employer or insurer shall retain an interpreter who possesses the qualifications to appear at the hearing and interpret the testimony or oral argument of all persons for whom the notice has been given or received.

Fees

A qualified interpreter who interprets testimony or oral argument for the Commission is entitled to payment of the fee agreed upon by the interpreter and employer or insurer that retained the interpreter. Except in cases where a claim for compensation has been prosecuted without reasonable ground, the fee agreed upon by the interpreter and employer or insurer shall be paid by the employer or insurer. When the Commission ultimately determines that the request for an interpreter was unfounded, attendant costs shall be assessed against the movant.

Ethics

Foreign language interpreters shall abide by the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Court Interpreters, contained in Section 11 of Standards for Language Access Services, North Carolina Judicial Branch and promulgated by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, and shall interpret, as word for word as is practicable, without editing, commenting, or summarizing, testimony or other communications.

Sign Language Interpretations

Sign language interpreters shall interpret, as word for word as is practicable, without editing, commenting, or summarizing, testimony or other communications. 

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