Follow the process below when hiring translators or interpreters:

1. Identify any local no cost resources that are available to provide the service. Considerations: Does your office have bilingual employees? Do you have any bilingual volunteers? Does county government or any community organizations have resources that could be shared?
2. If local resources are not available identify a qualified translator or interpreter in your local community. You may contact the NC State Coordinator for Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind for assistance locating a sign language interpreter.
3. Ask if the vendor accepts credit cards for payment. The preferred method of payment is to use a university issued p-card. It is strongly recommended you use a vendor that accepts credit cards for payment.
4. Contact NC State Extension Evaluation & Accountability to confirm the eligibility for funding and verify the process for payment BEFORE you hire the translator or interpreter. Provide a brief description of the event, number of non-English speaking participants, and the vendors quote for the services with your approval request.
5. If the vendor does not accept credit cards for payment the vendor MUST complete the Vendor Onboarding process to become an approved NC State vendor. In addition, an Independent Contractor Agreement MUST be completed and signed by the vendor and approved by NC State Procurement and Business Services before the contractor can be used. Work with the Extension Director’s Executive Assistant to ensure this process is done correctly. If this process is not followed, the invoice will not be paid.
6. After the services are completed use your p-card to pay the invoice. Contact NC State Evaluation & Accountability for the account number that will be used to pay for the service when submitting your receipt to the CBO. This account number should be entered when uploading the p-card receipt.
7. If a p-card was not used for payment and you have an approved independent contractor agreement, contact the NC State Extension Director’s Executive Assistant to make arrangements for the invoice to be paid.