Healthy Communities

Advisory Board for Interpreters for the Deaf

Ark. Code Ann. § 20-14-804 creates the Advisory Board for Interpreters between Hearing Individuals and Individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Oral Deaf, which consists of seven (7) members appointed by the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health.

The Board's purpose is to ensure that individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Oral Deaf and those they communicate with may depend upon competent, reliable interpreting services.

Advisory Board Members

Name Contact Info Constituency Term Expiration
Stephanie Ott steph.ott@gmail.com Interpreter 12.23.25
Daisy Dippel, Chairperson daisykayp@yahoo.com Interpreter 12.31.24
Sebrena Westcott sebrenawestcott@gmail.com Interpreter 12.31.25
Arthur Babin adbabin@sbcglobal.net Deaf Citizen 12.31.25
Shana Turner shanaturner02@gmail.com Hearing Community 12.31.24
Pamela Taylor pamelat3584@gmail.com Interpreter 12.31.26
Renika Witherspoon rwitherspoon2020@gmail.com Deaf Citizen 12.31.26

Committees

Licensure Committee Investigation Committee Budget/Fee Ad Hoc Committee Technology Committee
Stephanie Ott Arthur Babin Arthur Babin Pamela Taylor
Shana Turner Daisy Dippel Sabrena Westcott Daisy Dippel

For an application to be sent to the licensing sub-committee of the Advisory Board for Interpreters for the Deaf, please read below.

For all RID Certified Interpreters: Screenshot your RID member portal that shows your name, certification(s), and expiration date.

For all Interpreters holding a QAST or EIPA credentials: A copy of your QAST or EIPA credential AND documentation showing that you completed 10 clock hours of continuing education units (CEUs) in the 2023 calendar year.

Additionally, if you live in the following states, you must also submit current state licensure for that state:

The application form and payment of fee(s) in full are required for renewals and new licenses. Only when all items and fees have been received, will the team submit the required application documents to the subcommittee. 

In accordance with the rules, failure to renew by January 1 requires all renewal documentation specific to the license, a letter of explanation regarding the reason for late renewal, and payment of late fee. 

In accordance with the rules, failure to renew by January 31st will result in the license becoming inactive until all required renewal documentation and payment of the reactivation fee are received.

For licensing not described above, please see the rules.

An interpreter wishing to be licensed in Arkansas is responsible for practicing in accordance with the Rules Governing the Advisory Board for Interpreters.

Resources & Forms

Rules for Interpreters Between Hearing Individuals and Individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Oral Deaf
Act 1314
Arkansas Interpreter Licensure Application
Arkansas Provisional Licensure Application
Complaint Form
Licensed Qualified and Provisional Interpreters
Arkansas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (ARID)
Online Renewal System
NAIE – The National Association of Interpreters in Education

Board Minutes

For additional information, email us, or contact us by phone at 501-280-4790.

Public Health Accrediation Board
Arkansas Department of Health
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4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
1-800-462-0599