Registration & Regulations

In pursuant of K.S.A. 75-5393(b)(6), KCDHH maintains a listing of persons qualified in various types of interpreting and communication access services, as supported by K.S.A. 75-5393(b)(11) and (12), which KCDHH through its Executive Director provides a program of registration of interpreters, communication access services, and services providers. K.S.A. 75-5393a through 75-5393c provides KCDHH the authority to adopt and effectuate rules and regulations governing interpreters and communication access services.

The KCDHH administers the registration of all interpreters in place of a certification system, of which either system is made available by K.S.A. 75-4355b, et seq. KCDHH previously administered the Kansas Quality Assurance Screening (KQAS), a state certification system, until 2014. The goal of this transition is to promote interpreters to become nationally certified and/or appropriately credentialed; and the registration system has become inclusive of all interpreters, interpreting services agencies, and video remote interpreting (VRI) agencies.

As dictated by K.S.A. 75-4355b(d), no person shall serve as an interpreter unless the KCDHH makes the determination that the person is qualified to interpret. The KCDHH has also designated the Executive Director of KCDHH to make such determination and approval.

In addition to the registration process, KCDHH is authorized to provide fingerprinting and background checks on interpreters and professionals who provide other communication access services. Due diligence is mandatory for many entities employing permanent personnel or when bringing in support from outside, but many entities fail to do so or may have used this requirement to impede communication access. KCDHH’s fingerprinting and background check will help in mitigating this risk when needing to provide communication access and remove any potential barrier to communication access. However, this process will not replace still-required due diligence for the permanent employees of entities subjected to due diligence requirements. More information will become forthcoming in coming weeks.

The KCDHH administers the registration of all interpreters in place of a certification system, of which either system is made available by K.S.A. 75-4355b, et seq. KCDHH previously administered the Kansas Quality Assurance Screening (KQAS), a state certification system, until 2014. The goal of this transition is to promote interpreters to become nationally certified and/or appropriately credentialed; and the registration system has become inclusive of all interpreters, interpreting services agencies, and video remote interpreting (VRI) agencies.

In addition to recognized national certifications and credentials, KCDHH continues to recognize interpreters with KQAS certifications of levels 4/4 or better as long as they are in good standing with their CEU maintenance requirements and biennium registration. Interpreters with KQAS levels 3 or other unapproved credentials are allowed to obtain a provisional registration with KCDHH and are given opportunities to develop their competence through KCDHH’s supervision plan and mentoring program.

Within the registration process, KCDHH is also authorized to provide fingerprinting and background checks on interpreters. Due diligence is mandatory for many entities employing permanent personnel or when bringing in support from outside. KCDHH’s fingerprinting and background check will help in mitigating this risk when needing to provide communication access and remove any potential barrier to communication access. However, this process will not replace still-required due diligence for the permanent employees of entities subjected to due diligence requirements. More information will become forthcoming in coming weeks.

As dictated by K.S.A. 75-4355b(d), no person shall serve as an interpreter unless the KCDHH makes the determination that the person is qualified to interpret. The KCDHH has also designated the Executive Director of KCDHH to make such determination and approval.

Please consider these relevant resources pertaining to interpreter registration:

• Code of Professional Conduct for Interpreters
• Interpreter Registration Policy
• Interpreter Registration Form
• Interpreting Agency Registration Form
• Application for Fingerprinting and Background Check – Coming Soon!
• KCDHH Background Check Policy – Coming Soon!
• Payment Portal – Coming Soon!
• KQAS Interpreter Certification Maintenance: CEU Tracking Form – Please email
• KCDHH General CEU Tracking Form – Please email
• Access to Interpreter Registry Database – Coming Soon!
• Listing of Registered Interpreting Agencies and VRI Agencies – Coming Soon!
• For verification of interpreter's current registration – Please email
• If you have concerns about an interpreter, interpreting agency, VRI agency or accessibility – Please email

• Registration Information for Communication Access Services (CAS) – Coming Soon!
• KCDHH Development Policy for Communication Access Services – Coming Soon!
• Application for Fingerprinting and Background Check – Coming Soon!
• KCDHH Background Check Policy – Coming Soon!
• Payment Portal – Coming Soon!
• Access to CAS Registry Database – Coming Soon!

Currently under construction - please come back in a couple of weeks for updates!