PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE.

(a) The department may issue a provisional certificate to an applicant currently certified in another jurisdiction who seeks a certificate in this state and who:

(1) has been certified in good standing as an interpreter for at least two years in another jurisdiction, including a foreign country, that has certification requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements of this chapter;

(2) has passed a national or other examination recognized by the department relating to the practice of interpretation for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

(3) is sponsored by a person certified by the department under this chapter with whom the provisional certificate holder will practice during the time the person holds a provisional certificate.

(b) The department may waive the requirement of Subsection (a)(3) for an applicant if the department determines that compliance with that subdivision would be a hardship to the applicant.

(c) A provisional certificate is valid until the date the department approves or denies the provisional certificate holder's application for a certificate. The department shall issue a certificate under this chapter to the provisional certificate holder if:

(1) the provisional certificate holder is eligible to be certified under Section 81.007(f); or

(2) the provisional certificate holder passes the part of the examination under this chapter that relates to the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the laws and rules relating to the practice of interpretation for people who are deaf or hard of hearing in this state, and:

(A) the department verifies that the provisional certificate holder meets the academic and experience requirements for a certificate under this chapter; and

(B) the provisional certificate holder satisfies any other certification requirements under this chapter.

(d) The department must approve or deny a provisional certificate holder's application for a certificate not later than the 180th day after the date the provisional certificate is issued. The department may extend the 180-day period if the results of an examination have not been received by the department before the end of that period.

(e) The executive commissioner by rule may establish a fee for provisional certificates in an amount reasonable and necessary to cover the cost of issuing the certificate.