NCRA Certifications

Anyone is eligible to sit for the RPR. To become an RPR, you must have the knowledge, skills, and ability to produce a high-quality verbatim record. The Written Knowledge Test, or WKT, is a 105*-question, multiple-choice test that focuses on four areas:

Reporting (48%)
Transcript Production (44%)
Operating Practices (4%)
Professional Issues and Continuing Education (4%)

You get 90 minutes to complete this section of the exam. You must pass with a scaled score** of 70 or better. Scaled scoring is a means of assuring fairness and consistency in the difficulty level from one test administration to the next, achieved by applying two widely accepted standard-setting methods to each individual test question. This evaluation, recommended by NCRA’s testing consultant and done by the Test Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Certification Standard Setting Task Force, has been in use since November 2003 and ensures that NCRA’s program continues to meet testing industry standards.

To earn your RPR, you’ll also have to pass three sections of a skills test that evaluates you in three areas:

Literary at 180 wpm
Jury Charge at 200 wpm
Testimony/Q&A at 225 wpm

After dictation, you have 75 minutes to transcribe your notes from each leg. You must have 95% accuracy on each leg to pass.

You do not have to pass all the sections of the exam in one sitting. There is no time limit for earning the RPR.

For more detailed information about the RPR, visit NCRA’s website: Registered Professional Reporter (RPR).

To apply for the RMR skills test you must be a member of NCRA and an RPR.

To apply for the RMR written knowledge test a member must be an RPR and have three (3) years of current and continuous membership commencing with Participating or Registered member status.

The RMR Exam consists of a 105*-question Written Knowledge Test (WKT) that focuses on four areas of knowledge:

• Reporting (47%)
• Transcript Production (41%)
• Administration (6%)
• Professional Issues and Continuing Education (6%)

Your scaled score** must be a minimum of 70 to pass the WKT. Scaled scoring is a means of assuring fairness and consistency in the difficulty level from one test administration to the next, achieved by applying two widely accepted standard-setting methods to each individual test question. This evaluation, recommended by NCRA’s testing consultant and done by the Test Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Certification Standard Setting Task Force, has been in use since November 2003 and ensures that NCRA’s program continues to meet testing industry standards.

To earn your RMR, you’ll also have to pass three sections of a skills test that evaluates you in three areas–Literary at 200 wpm, Jury Charge at 240 wpm, and Testimony/Q&A at 260 wpm. After dictation, you have 75 minutes to transcribe your notes from each leg. You must have 95% accuracy on each leg to pass.

You do not have to pass all sections of the exam at one sitting. As long as you maintain your NCRA membership, you will retain credit for the sections passed. There is no time limit for earning the RMR.

For more detailed information about the RMR, visit NCRA’s website: Registered Merit Reporter (RMR).

To sit for the RDR exam, a candidate must be an RMR and have six (6) current and continuous years of membership commencing with Participating or Registered member status.

The RDR Exam consists of a 105*-question, multiple-choice Written Knowledge Test (WKT) that focuses on six areas:

• Reporting (35%)
• Transcript Production (27%)
• Management (11%)
• Education (10%)
• Marketing (8%)
• Professional Issues (9%)

You must receive a scaled score** of 70 or better to pass the exam. Scaled scoring is a means of assuring fairness and consistency in the difficulty level from one test administration to the next, achieved by applying two widely accepted standard-setting methods to each individual test question. This evaluation, recommended by NCRA’s testing consultant and done by the Test Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Certification Standard Setting Task Force, has been in use since November 2003 and ensures that NCRA’s program continues to meet testing industry standards.

The exam is designed to test your knowledge and experience. There is a study guide available; however, NCRA recommends you also be familiar with new reporting technology, NCRA policies and guidelines, and articles published in the Journal of Court Reporting to prepare for the exam.

For more detailed information about the RDR, visit NCRA’s website: Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR).

You must be a member in good standing of NCRA and a current RPR to register for the CRR.

The Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) skills test will be a two-voice question-and-answer (Q&A) at 200 wpm at 96% accuracy. As both freelance and official reporters primarily write question-and-answer (Q&A) material, the NCRA Board of Directors, along with NCRA testing committees, have determined that a Q&A test at a slightly faster speed would be the most relevant test content for judicial reporters. The Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) will remain a mandatory prerequisite for the CRR, while the Certified Broadcast Captioner (CRC) and Certified CART Provider (CRC) skills tests will remain straight matter at 180 wpm at 96% accuracy.

The CRR Exam consists of three steps:

• Setting up and operating your equipment
• Accurately writing realtime for five minutes at 96% accuracy from professionally recorded two-voice question-and-answer (Q&A) material at the speed of 200 words per minute.
• Converting your file to an ASCII text file. You are only graded on your final submitted text file.

For more detailed information about the CRR, visit NCRA’s website: Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR).

1. Setting up and operating your equipment
2. Accurately writing realtime for five minutes at 96% accuracy from professionally recorded literary material at the speed of 180 words per minute.
3. Converting your file to an ASCII text file. You are only graded on your final submitted text file.

For more detailed information about the CRC, visit NCRA’s website: Certified Realtime Captioner (CRC).

Tuition is $395 per credit hour.  A monthly payment plan may be arranged whenever necessary. There is no service charge if tuition is paid monthly. A late charge may be assessed when payment is made past the due date. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover may be used for all payments. Financial Aid is also available to those who qualify.

We participate in the Federal Pell Grant and student loan programs. Our school code is 026158. Our financial aid officer would be happy to assist you in what you are eligible for in terms of aid. Our team can be reached at 866-294-3974 or email [email protected].

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When answering this question it is important to understand a few terms as we discuss program length.  As an accredited college, we are required to state what the normal time frame and the maximum time frame is for each program.  The stated time frame or program length is different for each accredited program we offer. 

• The definition of the normal time frame is the period of time we are required to offer the entire program’s curriculum.  If the normal time frame is 28 months, we are required to offer each course in the curriculum for the program within 28 months.  A student has an opportunity to complete the program in 28 months, if they progress at a regular rate, and are enrolled full time (12 credits) each semester.
• The definition of the maximum time frame is the period of time a student is allowed to be enrolled in a program and earn the academic credential for that program.  If the maximum time frame is 44 months, the student must complete all required course work within 44 months. 
• Can a student attend beyond 44 months of enrollment?  Yes, but they cannot receive the program’s academic credential.

Now, stating that our normal and maximum time frames are 28/44 months for our associate degree court reporting program does not mean that a student will complete the program in 28 or 44 months.  It is important to uderstand that court reporting programs consist of academic course work and skill development course work.  The skill development component is where program completion times vary from student to student.  Every student learns, develops, and progresses with their skill at different rates.  Please speak with our administrative staff regarding the average completion time for our students who complete their respective programs.

It is important for students to have all required equipment, software, and books prior to their first day of class.
Steno Machine:   The following are recommended steno machines that may be purchased or rented:

• Luminex CSE
• Elan Cybra
• Stentura Protege
• Infinity Traditional
• Wave

If you have another model you would like to use, just ask the admissions department for our advice.  Steno machines may be purchased at discounted prices at: www.stenoworks.com, www.acculaw.com, https://www.stenograph.com/student-writer-packages or www.geminiwriter.com. 

Transcription Software:  Students must also purchase the student version of CaseCATalyst, a computer-aided transcription (CAT) software program. This software provides the technology that translates the language of your steno theory into English.  The software will require a Computer Operating System: PC-based system running Windows 8, 10, or higher. (Apple/Mac computers running Windows are not acceptable.)  

Stenograph Corporation: CaseCATalyst:
For current pricing and purchase options you can click the following link or call Stenograph’s toll-free number for more information: 800-323-4247.  Link:  https://www.stenograph.com/student-writer-packages

It is important for students to have all required equipment, software, and books prior to their first day of class.

Students must purchase the student version of CaseCATalyst Version 21.70 (not the current version), a computer-aided transcription (CAT) software program. For current pricing and purchase options you can click this link https://www.stenograph.com/catalyst-student or call Stenograph’s Education Specialist for more information 800-323-4247 ext. 5473.

For laptops, click on the following link to view the approved laptop packages from Martel Electronics Link: https://martelelectronics.com/ccr

Order your textbook here: Https.lulu.com/shop

CCR’s transfer policy is in accordance with accreditation policy for transfer credit.  Transfer consideration will be given consideration based on an evaluation of official transcripts, grades and credits earned, and relevance of courses to CCR courses.  Please note that time to complete the program is not dependent on how many credits are transferred or on full- or part-time status. It is dependent on how quickly one develops the skill and accuracy and completion of all course and graduation requirements.