Brazilian Senate advances bill requiring practical exams for Libras interpreters

The Brazilian Senate's Education and Culture Commission has approved Bill 3.878/2024, which proposes that translators, interpreters, and guide-interpreters of Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) undergo practical evaluations to practice their profession.

Currently, Law 12.319/2010 regulates these professions based on educational requirements but does not mandate practical testing. The new proposal aims to ensure that professionals can demonstrate necessary competencies in translation and interpretation across various sectors, including education, health, and law.

If no appeal is filed for a Senate plenary vote, the bill will move to the Chamber of Deputies. Under the proposed rules, public and private institutions would have the autonomy to organize these evaluations, which could be conducted through public exams, interviews, or simplified selection processes. Evaluation boards may include deaf professors, experienced interpreters, and representatives from civil society organizations serving the deaf community.