ORIGINAL
LICENSURE INFORMATION
Overview of Licensure:
**HB3231 (the first attempt to pass licensure) and HB2696 are the same bill with the exception of exempting the Oregon Judicial Department from this law.
Background: In December, 2024 the OAD Board passed a vote of no confidence in HLO and determined not to send Deaf representatives to the Licensure Board until something changed. In October, 2025 the OAD Board updated the call for change to demand that one of the Licensure Board members resign, which resulted in a loss of quorum due to the two vacant Deaf representative positions on the board. In November, 2025 and January, 2026 two OAD-approved Deaf representatives applied to the Licensure Board. When the vacant positions are filled, the Board can resume its business, so that interpreters may obtain and renew licenses to practice. During the Board's pause, the Rules Advisory Committee drafted suggestions for the administrative rules. To view those, see this document and the official HLO document linked there: Draft Rules. One February 4, 2026 the OAD board announced that they will host a townhall on March 1st to explain the licensing process and the draft rules, so that their membership and stakeholders can discuss and provide feedback on the recommendations. Please see their website for more details to come: https://oad1921.org/board/