Disciplinary Policy & Procedure

In order to maintain and enhance the credibility of the Hub-CMI credential and the CMI certification, the National Board has adopted the following procedures to allow individuals to bring complaints concerning the conduct of individuals who are Hub-CMI/CMI candidates or certificants to the National Board. In the event an individual candidate or certificant violates the Hub-CMI credential or CMI certification rules, or the National Board’s policies, the National Board may reprimand or suspend the individual or may revoke the credential/certification. The grounds for sanctions under these procedures may include, but are not necessarily limited to:

1. Violation of recognized standards of practice and codes of ethics in the field of medical interpreting published by the International Medical Interpreter Association (IMIA), the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) and the California Healthcare Interpreting Association (CHIA).
2. Violation of established National Board policies, rules and requirements.
3. Conviction of a felony or other crime of moral turpitude under federal or state law in a matter related to the practice of, or qualifications for, medical interpretation.
4. Gross negligence, willful misconduct, or other unethical conduct in the performance of services for which the individual has achieved the National Board Hub-CMI credential or the CMI certification.
5. Fraud or misrepresentation in an initial application or application for recertification.
6. Fraud or misrepresentation of the NBCMI credentials Information regarding the complaint process will be available to the public via the National Board web site or other published documents.

A complete copy of this policy will be made available to any individual upon request. Actions taken under this policy do not constitute enforcement of the law, although referral to appropriate federal, state, or local government agencies may be made about the conduct of the candidate or certificant in appropriate situations. Individuals initially bringing complaints are not entitled to any relief or damages by virtue of this process, although they will receive notice of the actions taken.

Complaints

Complaints may be submitted by any individual or entity. Complaints should be reported to the National Board in writing and should include the name of the person submitting the complaint, the name of the person the complaint is regarding along with other relevant identifying information, a detailed description of factual allegations supporting the charges, and any relevant supporting documentation. Information submitted during the complaint and investigation process is considered confidential and will be handled in accordance with the National Board’s confidentiality policy.

Inquiries or submissions other than complaints may be reviewed and handled by the National Board or its staff members at its discretion. A complete copy of the National Board Disciplinary Policy is contained in the National Board Policies & Procedures Manual. The full disciplinary policy is available upon request from the National Board office.

Use of the Credentials

The use and/or display of the National Board or Hub-CMI/CMI name, and National Board logo, except as permitted by this policy, requires the written consent of the National Board. Use of the National Board name and/or logo to state or imply approval or affiliation with the National Board is prohibited except as permitted by this policy. The Hub-CMI/CMI name and logo may only be used as permitted by this policy and in connection with a certified individual and not with a company or group of individuals. Individuals who fail to recertify or whose Hub-CMI credential or CMI certification is suspended or revoked must immediately discontinue use of the National Board name and are prohibited from stating or implying that they hold the Hub-CMI credential or CMI certification.

Acceptable Use

Individuals who have earned the Hub-CMI may identify as a Hub-CMI National Board credentialed Interpreter, and CMI interpreters may identify themselves as a National Board certified medical interpreter. For the Hub-CMI, there will be no language designation added. For the CMI, the proper language designation will be added, for example: CMI–Spanish. The individual must always specify the credentialed language along with the CMI designation. Proper specification is CMI followed by a hyphen and then the language(s) certified. Individuals must maintain their credential in good standing to continue to use the name. The Hub-CMI or CMI name may be used only as long as the credential/certification is valid. Both the Hub-CMI credential and the CMI certification are non-transferable, revocable, limited, non-exclusive licenses to use the certification designation “HUB-CMI“or “CMI,” and are subject to compliance with the policies and procedures of the Board, which may be revised from time to time.

Hub-CMI credentialed and CMI certified individuals may not make misleading, deceptive, or confusing statements regarding their credential or certification.. For example, individuals may not suggest that they have interpreting ability or other professional expertise outside of the scope of their professional licenses, credentials, and formal education and training.

Certificate

Each Hub-CMI credentialed interpreter and CMI certified interpreter will receive an electronic certificate. Each certificate will include an expiration date. Individuals who renew their credential/certification will receive a new certificate. All certificates remain the sole property of the National Board and must be returned if the individual’s credential/certification is suspended or revoked.

Incidents of alleged misuse of the National Board and/or Hub-CMI/CMI name and/or logo by a certificant or applicant will be investigated by the National Board according to the complaints and disciplinary policy.

Complaints

Complaints may be submitted by any individual or entity. Complaints should be reported to the National Board in writing and should include the name of the person submitting the complaint, the name of the person the complaint is regarding along with other relevant identifying information, a detailed description of factual allegations supporting the charges, and any relevant supporting documentation. Information submitted during the complaint and investigation process is considered confidential and will be handled in accordance with the National Board’s confidentiality policy.

Inquiries or submissions other than complaints may be reviewed and handled by the National Board or its staff members at its discretion. A complete copy of the National Board Disciplinary Policy is contained in the National Board Policies & Procedures Manual. The full disciplinary policy is available upon request from the National Board office, by emailing [email protected].

Appeals

Within thirty (30) days from receipt of notice of a determination by the National Board that a candidate/certificant violated the certification program policies and/or rules, the affected candidate/certificant may submit to the National Board in writing a request for an appeal. A complete copy of the National Board Disciplinary Policy that includes the appeal procedures is available upon request from the National Board office.