Important Testing News

► May and August 2013 Skills Tests to be administered by CD

Please come back soon for updated information.

► Board Makes Changes to the RMR and RDR Programs

At its February 24-25, 2012 meeting, the NCRA Board of Directors adopted recommendations from the Council of the Academy of Professional Reporters (CAPR) concerning the Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) and Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR) certification programs. The following motions were approved:

1. Effective January 1, 2013, the RMR credential becomes strictly a skills-based credential;
2. Those RMR candidates who have already passed all three portions of the RMR skills (literary, jury charge, testimony), but not the written knowledge portion, became RMRs on January 1, 2013;
3. Effective January 1, 2013, the RMR eligibility requirement becomes the RPR only;
4. Effective January 1, 2013, the RDR eligibility requirements become the RMR plus five years of current and continuous years of NCRA membership commencing with Participating or Registered status.

► New Eligibility Requirements for NCRA Exams

Candidates no longer need to be members of NCRA in order to take the RPR. However, candidates must be stenographic reporters in order to take the RPR.

Note: Both NCRA members and stenographic nonmembers may sit for the RPR examination. However, should a nonmember successfully complete all portions of the RPR certification, he/she must join NCRA within 30 days to use the designation. Only NCRA members may hold the RPR certification.

► Prohibited Items for Skills Exams and Consequences

Candidates are prohibited from using electronic devices of any kind once they have signed in at the test site, with the exception of your writer and computer. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, audio sync, digital recorders, and any other audio recording and/or screen capture tools. Candidates must disable their computer’s microphone by either changing the settings on their computer or by using an external adapter/plug. If a steno machine has a test mode, the test mode must be used. Chief Examiners have the right to inspect a candidate’s equipment, including computer settings and desktop recycle bin, before and after the test.

By registering for the test, you have acknowledged that you understand and agree to abide by these procedures. Failure to follow these or any NCRA procedures may result in your automatic failure and being barred from taking NCRA-administered tests for a minimum of three (3) testing cycles or permanently depending on the nature of the violation. NCRA members may also be suspended or expelled from the association.

Candidates should review the Council of the Academy of Professional Reporter (CAPR) Procedures for Determining Whether a Violation of NCRA Testing Policies and Procedures on an NCRA-Administered Test has Occurred.