WA SB5025

Expands the definition of "educational interpreter" to include any person (certificated or classified) providing sign language interpretation for deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing students, rather than only school district employees

Requires the Professional Educator Standards Board to establish separate certificates for deaf and deaf-blind educational interpreters, with "limited certificates" valid for up to 5 years and "full certificates" for those meeting the full performance standard

Mandates that educational interpreters obtain certification by the 2027-28 school year, with a transition period through the 2026-27 school year allowing interpreters who meet performance standards to continue working

Requires annual public reporting beginning December 1, 2026 on certification data including number of certificates granted, demographics, and geographic distribution

Exempts interpreters of sign systems for which no assessment exists, such as oral interpreting, computer-assisted real-time captioning, and cued speech transliteration