Licensed Court Interpreters

See section 3.2 of the JBCC Rules for a certification (license) or registration that has been expired for 1 yr. or more.

Important Note: Before starting the reinstatement process, you must email the licensing specialist at courtinterpreters@txcourts.gov so they can reactivate your profile, thereby allowing you to submit the application online.

Reinstating an Expired Court Interpreter License

When initially applying to reinstate an expired license under option #1, do not create a first-time applicant profile in our online system. Instead, you must do the following as an existing certification to start the licensure process over again.

There are 2 options for reinstating a license expired for 1 year or longer. 

Option #1 (online only): Applicants reinstating an expired license must meet the same requirements as new applicants if they do not meet the requirements established under option #2 below.

1. Login to your existing certification profile in the online licensing system
   
   • If you do not know your login credentials, follow the instructions in section XIII of the pdf Guide to Using the Online System located on the home page of our website to obtain your login name and reset your password.
   • If you've never created an online profile, email staff so they can provide the instructions you need to create one. Once your profile is created, proceed to the step below.
2. Click the button to apply for new certification and pay the application fee.
   • When paying the application fee on the Credit Card page of the application, the payment portal vendor requires you to enter the billing address on file with the credit card company of the cardholder.
3. Click the button to apply for the exam and pay the exam fee.

Option #2 (online only): Former TX court interpreters who moved out of state and are returning may reinstate without examination only if you meet the following criteria:

1. You were licensed in Texas prior to moving out of state;
2. You are currently licensed in the other state;
3. You have been practicing court interpreting in the other state for a period of at least 1 year preceding the date of application for (re)certification in Texas; and,
4. Your license is currently in good standing.

If you meet the criteria in option #2 you may become recertified in Texas by following the procedures below:

1. Login to your existing certification profile in the online licensing system

   • If you do not know your login credentials, follow the instructions in section XIII of the pdf Guide to Using the Online System located on the home page of our website to obtain your login name and reset your password.
   • If you've never created an online profile, email staff so they can provide the instructions you need to create one. Once your profile is created, proceed to the step below.
2. Click the button to apply for new certification and follow the instructions accordingly.
3. Submit the required copies of your CE documentation (i.e., copies of your certificates of attendance) by uploading it to the Additional Supporting Documents portion of your application.
4. Submit all required paperwork to the Commission (along with documentation confirming the above four criteria) by uploading it to the Additional Supporting Documents portion of your application. Please refer to section 3.2 (g) of the JBCC Rules for details.
5. Pay to the commission a fee that is equal to twice the normally required renewal fee. 
   • When paying the application fee on the Credit Card page of the application, the payment portal vendor requires you to enter the billing address on file with the credit card company of the cardholder.
   • Note: the online app will assess the initial $200 fee, and the remaining amount due will be assessed via a staff generated invoice so that the total you pay will be twice the normally required renewal fee.

Should you have questions not addressed online, please submit inquiries to courtinterpreter@txcourts.gov.