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NCRA Certifications

Certified Realtime Reporter

For testing dates, location, costs, etc., please visit the Certification Test Center.

Prove you're on the cutting edge. Become a Certified Realtime Reporter and take advantage of the growing number of opportunities becoming available to realtime reporters. As one of the top national programs that certifies your ability in realtime, attaining the CRR designation commands instant respect and the immediate attention of potential employers.

Changes to the Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR)

Beginning with the November 5, 2011, exam administration, 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 (CBC) and Certified CART Provider (CCP) skills tests will remain straight matter at 180 wpm at 96% accuracy.

If a candidate is in the process of obtaining the CRR, CBC and/or CCP credential (meaning s/he has passed the skills test), all current testing history will be retained. In other words, if a member has already passed the CRR, and is now pursuing the CBC and/or CCP credentials, s/he will not need to retake the skills test, as long as the CRR testing history remains in good standing (current membership and continuing education). Candidates who take and pass the July 28, 2011 and August 13, 2011 skills tests (CRR, CBC or CCP) will also be able to retain their testing history. Questions or comments may be directed to the Department of Certification and Testing.

Who is eligible to sit for the CRR Exam?

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

How to register for the CRR Exam

All RPRs are eligible to take the CRR Exam. Registration information is sent with the January and July issues of The Journal of Court Reporting. You may register online as well. The CRR is currently offered three times per year, concurrent with the two annual RPR exams and the Annual Convention.

Job Analysis

A CRR Job Analysis which is the blueprint for this certification program is available at no charge online in Adobe Acrobat Format or by calling 1-800-272-6272.

What it takes to pass the CRR Exam

  1. The CRR Exam consists of three steps:
    Setting up and operating your equipment
  2. 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.
  3. Converting your file to an ASCII text file. You are only graded on your final submitted text file.

How you maintain your CRR Certification

You'll need to maintain your CRR by participating in NCRA's Continuing Education program. You must maintain your NCRA membership and earn a minimum of 3.0 CEUs over a three-year period. These are the same 3.0 CEUs needed to maintain your RPR.

Recognition of your achievement

After you've earned your CRR you'll receive a handsome certificate to display in your home or office. You'll also be recognized in the Journal of Court Reporting, the Court Reporter Sourcebook, and on NCRA's Web site.

You will also receive .25 PDCs for passing the CRR Exam.