American Sign Language Interpreters

Welcome to the website of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), an agency within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. We appreciate your visit to our site and we look forward to assisting you. OPOR’s Gardiner office is open to the public from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. While you are welcome to visit our offices, for faster service, we encourage you to take advantage of our many online services.

To ensure that someone is available to assist you, we recommend that you schedule an appointment in advance. Please contact us by email or by phone or through our other online services, and we will assist you. After making an appointment, click on this link for directions.

 

Rulemaking Notification

Finally adopted rules for the American Sign Language Licensing Program became effective on September 20, 2022 (PDF).

Basis Statement and Response to Comments Received on Proposed Rulemaking - August 16, 2022

Notice of Agency Proposed Rulemaking – American Sign Language Interpreters Combined Chapters 50, 51, 52, 54, and 55 (PDF)  - Please forward rulemaking comments to Anne L. Head, OPOR Director at anne.l.head@maine.gov. The deadline for comments is July 31, 2022.

Notice Regarding License Verification Requests (PDF)

Effective March 1, 2019, the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) will no longer issue paper license verifications. License verifications are available, free of charge, on OPOR’s official database,  https://www.pfr.maine.gov/ALMSOnline/ALMSQuery/Welcome.aspx?board=4073. This database is updated in real time as changes occur. The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation considers this information to be a secure, primary source for license verification.

Future correspondence from the American Sign Language Interpreters Program will be sent to you by email, so please be sure to keep your contact information current. Follow this link to verify your contact information.

How to apply for a license

Features of our online Licensing System

What's New

Laws/Statutory

TELEHEALTH: On June 21, 2021, the Governor signed LD 791, An Act Regarding Telehealth Regulations, into law as P.L. 2021, c. 291.  This emergency legislation became effective immediately and authorizes licensees to provide services via telehealth, subject to all applicable laws and rules governing confidentiality, professional responsibility and standards of practice.  The director will be adopting more specific rules governing telehealth services.  Please use the “GET NOTIFIED” link below if you would like to be notified of proposed rulemaking and other news, information and updates.  Notice of proposed rules will also be advertised in the Maine Secretary of State weekly rulemaking notice and in newspapers in the state, as well as posted on the American Sign Language Interpreter's webpage. 

New Law Takes Effect September 19, 2019

Public Law Chapter 284 (LD1751) An Act To Amend and Clarify the Laws Concerning American Sign Language Interpreters http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1246&item=3&snum=129 (PDF)

This bill amends the laws governing American Sign Language Interpreters to update educational requirements, close the limited license category to new applicants, establish a new conditional license category, and clarify continuing education requirements. Please read the full text of the bill (PDF).

Informational Letters

none at this time

News Alerts

none at this time

Rulemaking

Notice of Agency Proposed Rulemaking – American Sign Language Interpreters Combined Chapters 50, 51, 52, 54, and 55 (PDF)  Please forward rulemaking comments to Anne L. Head, OPOR Director at anne.l.head@maine.gov. The deadline for comments is July 31, 2022.