FAQs

What is NCRA's payment policy?
The NCRA Payment Policy can be found here.



Why should I get an NCRA certification?
NCRA certifications help members prove their ability at the national level and increase their earning potential. While not required in every state, NCRA certifications set members apart while providing credentials that are universally recognized by the profession.


How many CEUs do I have and when does my CEU cycle expire?

For information on your CEU status, please access your transcripts at www.ncra.org/transcripts 



How do I renew my membership?

You can easily renew your membership by:

• Renewing online
• Calling our Member Services and Information Center at 800-272-6272, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET
• Mailing your dues to NCRA, 12355 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 610, Reston, VA 20191 and including your NCRA ID #


Why is there a fee to submit coursework to my NCRA transcript?

NCRA has to maintain a database, financial records, and manage the paperwork for the transcripts. Many states accept our transcript as proof of continuing education for state certification purposes due to our diligence.



What is the renewal cycle for membership?
All memberships run on a calendar year: Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. NCRA sends the first renewal notice for the upcoming year in early October. Members may select to auto-renew their dues each year to avoid a renewal notice.


What is online skills testing?
Online testing means that candidates will take the RPR, RMR, CRR, and CRC skills tests using the advanced technologies of Realtime Coach and ProctorU from the convenience of their home, office, or other secure location. For additional information on online skills testing and how to register, please visit NCRA.org/TestingFAQs.


Is there a fee to submit my completion certificate from the NCRA Learning Center?

No. The credit that is earned from the NCRA Learning Center is automatically added to your transcript when you retrieve your completion certificate.



What portion of dues is a deductible business expense?
Annual membership expires on Dec. 31st of each calendar year. NCRA dues may be deductible as an ordinary business expense but not as a charitable contribution. The non-deductible ordinary business expense portion of your 2023 dues is 9.5%.


How do I extend a live/on-demand webinar or retake a webinar quiz?

Email learningcenter@ncra.org to purchase an extension or quiz retake.



Is it possible to submit all my CEUs at once for one fee?

No. There is a separate fee per course as the courses need to be reflected separately on the transcript.



How do I update/change my membership information (address, phone, email, etc.)?
• Log in to your account to access both My Main Profile and My PROLink Listings to make any necessary changes.
• Call our Member Services and Information Center at 800-272-6272, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET.
• Email your update(s) to our Membership department.
• Mail your update(s) to NCRA, 12355 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 610, Reston, VA 20191, and include your NCRA ID #.


Why do I keep receiving an error message when I submit my CEUs online?

There are several common issues that may cause error messages when using the online continuing education submission system.

1. You are using Microsoft Edge to access the NCRA website. Please try using Google Chrome instead.
2. You are entering something other than numbers in decimal format in the hours of activity/education field. This field will only accept numbers in decimal format. A 90-minute activity should be entered as “1.5” (without the quotes.)
3. You are attempting to attach more than one document to your submission. Please combine your documents into one PDF.
4. The file name for the document you are attaching is too long. Please give this file a short name, without spaces or unusual characters.
5. The file you are attaching is too large. The system will accept documents no larger than 5 MB. Please attach a smaller document.

If none of these suggestions resolves the issue for you, please contact continuinged@ncra.org.



What is the membership dues cancellation policy?

There are separate cancellation policies for new and renewing members. In all cases, “dues amount” refers to the amount paid by the member to allow for refunds even to pro-rated dues amounts.

The refund schedule is:

• between Sept. (for dues paid for the upcoming year) and Jan. 14th - full refund
• between Jan. 15 and Jan. 31 - 75% of dues amount
• between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28 - 65% of dues amount
• between Mar. 1 and Mar. 31 - 50% of dues amount

The refund schedule for new members is:

• within two weeks of join date - full refund
• within one month of join date - 75% of dues amount
• within two months of join date - 65% of dues amount
• within three months of join date - 50% of dues amount


What is NCRA PROLink?

NCRA PROLink online provides a means for consumers to search for NCRA members including court reporters, captioners, legal videographers, attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals. It also reinforces the value of certification in the profession.

NCRA members can take advantage of enhanced online features such as real-time updates and upgraded Premium Plus and firm listings, which allows users additional visibility.

Learn more

NCRA also has a digital ebook produced annually in August listing all members. For additional information about this issue and on pricing of the online listings, please contact adsupport@ncra.org.



What is the payment policy for payment of membership dues?

Please review the full NCRA Payment Policy here. 



How can I sponsor a member?
NCRA members may sponsor a specific person for NCRA membership by completing the Sponsor a Colleague form.


What is defined as a course?

A course is defined as:

1. Multiple sessions taken on one calendar day from the one vendor. Multiple days will incur multiple charges; different vendors require separate fees. The vendors covered by this are below:
   1. Stenograph/Prince Institute
   2. Stenographer’s World
   3. CCR Seminars
   4. Bridges Court Reporting
   5. CourtReportingCEU.com
2. Any course meeting NCRA requirements from an independently accredited school, college, and/or university.
3. Multiple programs taught over the course of a single convention.
4. Individualized training taught on one subject by one instructor or a team of instructors over a 12 month period.


I’m taking a break from working. Is there an inactive status?

Participating or registered members who are taking a break and are not working in the profession can take advantage of inactive-status dues for a maximum of six years. You will be required to sign an inactive status form each year to certify that you are not working in order to maintain eligibility for inactive status. You will pay half the regular dues rate. If you are a certified member, your credential expiration date will advance one year for each year of inactive status taken. If you take more than three years of inactive status, you will also be required to earn additional Continuing Education Units to renew your credential.

To request inactive status, you can download an Inactive Status Application and fax it to 703-391-0629 or email it to the Membership department . You can also contact the Member Services and Information Center at 800-272-6272, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET.



Are CEU submissions covered under my annual fees to NCRA?

Your NCRA member dues and CLVS renewal fees only cover the general expenses of maintaining your membership. Additional charges accrue for individual continuing education submissions.



I’m retiring from the profession. Is there a retired status?

Any Participating or Registered Member in good standing after January 1, 2018, who is no longer deriving income in any manner from the verbatim stenographic reporting profession, shall be eligible to become a Retired Member and pay half of the dues of Participating or Registered membership. Submit your request for Retired Member status. 



How can I pay less in continuing education fees?
• Attend an NCRA sponsored event. NCRA holds several events throughout the year that provide continuing education opportunities for our members, like our annual Convention and Firm Owners Executive Conference. Please check the NCRA calendar of events for more information on what is coming up.
• Attend a state convention. Most state affiliate associations submit events for approval by NCRA and submit the lists to us after the event. Visit the Continuing Education calendar for more information or check with your state association.
• View one of NCRA’s On-demand webinars. On-demand webinars represent the most convenient way to earn CEUs when and where you need them. Featuring recorded video and downloadable handout materials, these on-demand webinars allow you to access the best presentations from past NCRA events and webinars. Visit the NCRA Learning Center to explore NCRA's on-demand webinars.


How can I get a receipt for my membership dues?
• Email your request for a receipt to our Member Services and Information Center.
• Call our Member Services and Information Center at 800-272-6272, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET.
• Mail your receipt request with your payment to NCRA, 12355 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 610, Reston, VA 20191, and include your NCRA ID #.


What membership category do I qualify under?
• Participating Membership – All stenographic court reporters and captioners in the following categories: freelance, official, hearing, legislative, broadcast captioner, and CART captioner
• Associate Membership – All people who work with and/or support stenographic reporters and captioners including: instructors, school officials, retired reporters, stenotype or CLVS agency owners/managers, note readers, proofreaders, scopists, transcriptionists, suppliers/vendors, attorneys, paralegals, Certified Legal Video Specialists, secretaries, and other selected professionals
• Student Membership – All students presently enrolled in a formal stenographic court reporting, captioning, or scoping program/school

Review more on membership types and find applications.



Is there a logo that I can use as an NCRA member?
Yes, there is. Please follow the instructions for NCRA logo use. You will then be directed to NCRA's Download Center where you can access the logos.