Testing and credentialing of interpreters

(1) Subject to the availability of funds, the administrative office of the courts shall establish and maintain a credentialing program for spoken language interpreters and administer comprehensive testing. (2) The administrative office of the courts shall work cooperatively with public or private educational institutions, and with other public or private organizations to establish suitable training programs and engage in recruitment efforts to ensure the availability of credentialed interpreters. Training programs shall be made readily available in both eastern and western Washington locations. (3) The administrative office of the courts shall establish and adopt standards of proficiency, written and oral, in English and the language to be interpreted. (4) The administrative office of the courts shall conduct periodic examinations to ensure the availability of credentialed interpreters. Periodic examinations shall be made readily available in both eastern and western Washington locations. (5) The administrative office of the courts shall compile, maintain, and disseminate a current list of interpreters credentialed by the office. (6) The administrative office of the courts may charge reasonable fees for testing, training, and credentialing. (7) The administrative office of the courts may create different credentials and provide guidance for the selection and use of credentialed and noncredentialed interpreters to ensure the highest standards of accuracy are maintained in all judicial proceedings.