Existing law establishes the Department of Consumer Affairs, which is composed of various boards that license and regulate various professions.
This bill would, beginning July 1, 2026, require certain boards under the jurisdiction of the Department of Consumer Affairs to permit an applicant who cannot read, speak, or write in English to use an interpreter to interpret the English written and oral portions of the license examination if the applicant meets all other requirements for licensure, as specified.
This bill would require an interpreter to satisfy specified requirements, including not having the license for which the applicant is taking the examination, and would prohibit the assistance of an interpreter under certain circumstances, including when English language proficiency is required for the license. The bill would also require those boards to post on their internet websites that an applicant may use an interpreter if they cannot read, speak, or write in English, the examination is not offered in their preferred language, and they meet all other requirements for licensure.