The Maryland Sign Language Interpreters Act: Timeline, Latest Updates, and What to Do Before 2028
Current status: Licensure paused — no applications open
Last updated: July 4, 2026 · Written by Frederick Interpreting Agency, a Deaf-owned interpreting agency based in Frederick, Maryland. We update this page whenever the State Board acts, so bookmark it.
If you interpret in Maryland — or plan to — you’ve watched this law change shape at least four times. Deadlines announced, delayed, paused, and reset. This page is the plain-language record of where the Maryland Sign Language Interpreters Act actually stands, what the 2026 amendments changed, and what to do while the Board finishes its work.
What the law does
The Maryland Sign Language Interpreters Act, passed in 2023, created the State Board of Sign Language Interpreters (SBSLI), housed under the Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Its core requirement is simple: once the law is fully in effect, anyone providing sign language interpretation services in Maryland must hold a state license. The stated goal is consistent, accountable quality for Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing Marylanders.
The hard part has been everything after “simple”: building a board, writing regulations, and setting requirements that raise the bar without shrinking an interpreter pool that is already stretched thin. That tension explains every delay below.
How we got here: the full timeline
- 2023 — The Act passes
The General Assembly establishes the SBSLI and sets an ambitious original compliance date of January 1, 2025.
- 2024 — Reality sets in
The new Board begins drafting license requirements and regulations. The original statutory deadlines prove unworkable, and the compliance date slips to January 1, 2026.
- Late 2025 — Applications open, then everything stops
A license application briefly goes live on Maryland OneStop with four license types: General, Provisional, Specialty, and Provisional Specialty. Then, on December 22, 2025, the Governor’s Office workgroup pauses the entire licensure process — applications close, fees stop being accepted, and the January 1, 2026 start date is officially off — pending the 2026 legislative session.
- 2026 session — The reset
Companion bills SB 645 and HB 1192 amend the Act. Earlier drafts pointed to a July 1, 2027 compliance date; the final versions that passed land on January 1, 2028, with educational settings extended to July 1, 2028.
- Oct 1, 2026 — Amendments take effect
The expanded Board is appointed and returns to writing the regulations that will define exact license requirements, fees, and the application process. Expect the application portal to reopen well before the 2028 deadlines — we’ll update this page when it does.
- Jan 1, 2028 — Licensure begins
Sign language interpreters providing services in Maryland must meet state licensing requirements.
- Jul 1, 2028 — Educational settings
Interpreters working in educational settings must meet the requirements — timed to the school-year boundary so students’ access isn’t disrupted mid-year.
● completed ○ upcoming
What the 2026 amendments actually changed
1. Staggered, later deadlines. January 1, 2028 for general practice; July 1, 2028 for educational settings. Education is one of the highest-volume interpreting settings in the state, and the extra six months exists so districts and educational interpreters can transition without disrupting students’ access mid-year.
2. A bigger, more representative Board. The amendments expand Board membership and require that practicing interpreters on the Board include perspectives from agency, educational, legal, and medical settings — the settings where licensing decisions will bite hardest.
3. More flexible proof of qualification. Applicants can now submit proof of valid certification or other Board-approved certifications and qualifications. That’s a meaningful opening for skilled interpreters whose credentials don’t fit neatly into a single national certification box.
4. Out-of-state waivers went from “may” to “shall.” If you’re licensed in another state, the Board must grant a waiver when the conditions are met: fees paid, substantially equivalent qualifications, and reciprocity with your state. For interpreters in the DC–Maryland–Virginia region who cross state lines constantly, this is one of the most practical changes in the entire law.
5. County-level supply reporting. The Board’s annual report must now count licensed interpreters by county. For the first time, Maryland will have real data on where interpreters actually are — and where the gaps will be visible to policymakers.
The four license types
| License type | Built for | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| General | Community interpreting with national certification (such as RID) | 1 year, renewable |
| Provisional | Interpreters not yet able to meet full requirements — a bridge, not a destination | 3 years; 5-year lifetime cap |
| Specialty | Defined settings such as education (the prior draft set EIPA 4.0 as the educational benchmark) | Set by Board regulations |
| Provisional Specialty | The bridge version of a specialty license | 3 years; 5-year lifetime cap |
These reflect the framework the Board published before the pause. The reconstituted Board may revise the details, so treat this as the best current picture rather than final rules.
What to do now, based on where you are
You’re positioned well — certification is expected to remain the core pathway to a General license. Keep your certification and CEUs current, and keep records organized so you can apply the week the portal reopens.
The provisional pathway and the new “Board-approved qualifications” language exist for you, but a provisional license is a countdown clock. Use the runway before 2028 to document your experience, bank continuing education, and move toward certification or an assessment the Board recognizes.
Your deadline is July 1, 2028, and the EIPA is the credential to watch. If you haven’t tested — or scored below 4.0 — build your prep and retake plan now. Testing capacity gets tight when an entire state’s educational interpreters need scores by the same date.
Gather your license documentation and qualification records now. The “shall grant” waiver makes Maryland reciprocity far more predictable, but you’ll still need a clean application and the fee.
This law is arguably good news for you — it professionalizes the field you’re entering and will likely tighten supply just as you arrive. Follow the official Board page and build toward certification from day one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to interpret in Maryland right now?
No. The licensure process is paused and no license is currently required or available. The requirement begins January 1, 2028 for most settings and July 1, 2028 for educational settings.
I’m RID certified. Am I automatically licensed?
No — certification and licensure are separate. Certification is expected to be the primary qualification for a General license, but you’ll still need to apply to the Board and pay the fee once applications reopen.
Can I still work in Maryland without national certification?
Today, yes. After the deadlines, the prior framework offered a Provisional license (three years, five-year cap), and the amended law lets the Board approve alternative qualifications. The safest plan is to use the time before 2028 to close the gap.
I’m licensed in another state. Does Maryland recognize it?
The amended law requires the Board to grant a waiver when three conditions are met: fees paid, substantially equivalent qualifications, and reciprocity with your state. Details will come in the Board’s regulations.
Where do official updates get posted?
The SBSLI page on the Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing website: odhh.maryland.gov. Bill text and history are on the Maryland General Assembly site. We track both and update this page.
Interpreting in Maryland? Let’s get you to 2028 ready — and working.
Frederick Interpreting Agency is Deaf-owned and growing our interpreter team across Maryland, DC, and Virginia. We track every Board action so our interpreters don’t have to guess.
This article is for general information, not legal advice. License requirements are set by the State Board of Sign Language Interpreters and may change as regulations are finalized.
