Any person who serves as an interpreter for persons unable to communicate the English language in court proceedings or probation services as provided in subsection (6) of section 29-2259 shall meet the standards adopted by the Supreme Court. Such standards shall require that interpreters demonstrate the ability to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressively, using any necessary special vocabulary. A person appointed to interpret for deaf and hard of hearing persons shall be a licensed interpreter as defined in section 20-151 or, if a licensed interpreter is unavailable, an interpreter licensed under the laws of another state.
§ 25-2407.Interpreters; qualifications.
Article 24: Interpreters · Last amended 2002 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section requires anyone interpreting in court proceedings or in the probation services under section 29-2259(6) to meet Supreme Court standards for effective, accurate, and impartial interpretation, and requires an interpreter for a deaf or hard of hearing person to hold a license under section 20-151, or an out-of-state license if none is available.
Full Text of § 25-2407
Source
Laws 1999, LB 54, § 1; Laws 2002, LB 22, § 12.
Plain-English Summary
Section 25-2407 layers a second, more formal set of standards on top of the general competency rule in 25-2404. Anyone who interprets for a person unable to communicate in English, whether in a court proceeding or in the probation services described in subsection (6) of section 29-2259, must meet standards the Supreme Court adopts. Those standards require the interpreter to demonstrate the ability to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, in both directions, and to handle any special vocabulary the setting demands.
The section then adds a distinct requirement for interpreters who work with deaf or hard of hearing persons: that interpreter must hold a license under section 20-151, or, if no licensed interpreter is available, a license issued under another state’s laws. Pairing the general Supreme Court standards with a specific licensing requirement recognizes that interpreting spoken language and interpreting for a deaf or hard of hearing person call for different training and credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this section different from the qualifications in 25-2404?
Section 25-2404 states the abilities a court must confirm before appointing any interpreter. This section adds formal standards the Supreme Court adopts, plus a specific licensing requirement for interpreters who work with deaf or hard of hearing persons.
Does this section apply outside courtrooms?
Yes. It covers interpreting in court proceedings and in the probation services described in subsection (6) of section 29-2259.
What must an interpreter demonstrate under the Supreme Court’s standards?
The ability to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressively, using any special vocabulary the assignment requires.
Does an interpreter for a deaf or hard of hearing person need a special license?
Yes, a license under section 20-151, or, if no licensed interpreter is available, a license issued under another state’s laws.
Why does the article have two sections both called “Interpreters; qualifications”?
Section 25-2404 sets the original competency requirement adopted in 1973, and this section, added later, layers on formal Supreme Court standards and a licensing requirement for deaf and hard of hearing interpreters.
Who adopts the standards referenced in this section?
The Supreme Court adopts the standards interpreters must meet.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: nebraska interpreter licensing requirementdeaf interpreter license section 20-151supreme court interpreter standardsprobation interpreter qualificationseffective accurate impartial interpretation standard