Ways to Earn Continuing Education

Live and on-demand webinars

Live and on-demand webinars, and education programs represent the most convenient way to earn CEUs when and where you need them.

Webinars are live presentations from industry professionals on various professional and industry-related topics, and on-demand webinars feature recorded video and downloadable handout materials and allow you to access the best presentations from past NCRA events and live webinars; and education programs that support the CLVS, CRC, and CRI certifications.  Refunds are not offered for any program started in the Learning Center.

Visit the NCRA Learning Center

NCRA meetings and events

NCRA holds a large number of educational events throughout the year from which members can earn continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their NCRA certifications.

Visit NCRA events

NCRA approved/qualified Third-Party Continuing Education

Attend conventions, conferences, webinars, or workshops provided by a third-party vendor that have been approved or qualified for CEUs by NCRA.

Third party continuing education opportunities

External activity eligibility

Members can choose to take a course outside of NCRA events, approved events, or pre-qualified learning opportunities, but must request a determination of eligibility before taking the course.

External event eligibility

PDC Tests

Article tests

These are two- to three-page articles, which are followed by a short multiple-choice test. Some research may be required to answer the questions. The passing score on these tests is 85% and they are marked Pass or Fail. Each test may be taken only once pass or fail.

Learn more

Book tests

The Council of the Academy of Professional Reporters has developed a list of approved books for continuing education units. Each of these books has a 20-question short answer or multiple choice test. The passing score is 85%. Each test may be taken only once pass or fail.

Learn more

NCRA certification testing

Members who pass the NCRA Skills Test or the Written Knowledge Test (WKT) portion of the RMR, RDR, CRR, CLVS (if already an RPR), or CRC (if an RPR) will earn Professional Development Credits (PDCs).

Certification and testing

• Passing any portion of the RMR - 0.25 PDC
• Passing the RDR exam (WKT only) - 0.25 PDC
• Passing the CRR exam - 0.25 PDC
• Passing the CLVS Skills or WKT exams - 0.25 PDC
• Passing the CRC exam - 0.25 PDC

Speedbuilding practice

Eligible credential holders may earn PDCs for structured speedbuilding practice at speeds of 160 wpm or faster.

Learn more at Realtime Coach

Realtime and Speed Contests 

Members who compete in NCRA's realtime and speed contests will be awarded 0.25 PDC for each leg in which they qualify. 

• NCRA Realtime Contest Rules
• NCRA Speed Contest Rules

In order for a member to be granted 0.25 PDC for a speed or realtime contest leg, the sponsoring organization must receive preapproval from NCRA. NCRA will grant credit for these contests so long as they meet the published criteria for the speed and realtime contests held at the most recent NCRA Conference & Expo. 

Courses

College courses

CEUs will only be awarded for college courses which cover the approved topic areas in Article III of the continuing education program rules. In order to receive credit for a college course, a grade report or college transcript AND the course syllabus must be provided. All courses will be evaluated based on the core curriculum, depending on subject matter. All submissions must be accompanied by an evaluation fee. College courses taken for credit (Grade must be "C" or above).

• Each Semester Hour - 1.5 CEUs
• Each Trimester Hour - 1.4 CEUs
• Each Quarter Hour - 1.0 CEU

Adult education classes not taken for college credit

• 0.1 CEU for every contact hour

CPR and First Aid courses

CEUs will be awarded for CPR and First Aid courses conducted by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or any other organization that meets the Federal standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

• 0.1 CEU per hour, up to a maximum of 0.4 CEU

Credits for either of these two classes may only be received once each three-year term.

Volunteer your services

Participate in the NCRF Oral Histories Program

NCRA members can help preserve history by transcribing pre-recorded interviews as well as live testimonials from American veterans, Holocaust survivors, and attorneys who have provided pro bono services through Legal Aid. Professional court reporters will earn 0.25 PDC for each transcription completed and can earn up to a maximum of 1.0 PDC during their three-year certification period.

Visit NCRA Oral Histories Program to learn more

Promoting the profession to external audiences

PDCs can be earned for promoting the profession to external audiences. Examples of events that would satisfy this requirement include presentations at court reporting schools (as a guest speaker or career day participant), law schools, and judges’ associations. If a question arises as to whether an event qualifies, CAPR will review the request for approval. Members seeking Professional Development Credits must submit an outline or agenda of their presentation, accompanied by either a signed NCRA submission form or letter signed by a representative of the host event.

Providing pro bono services (judicial, CART, captioning)

Pro Bono Services are defined by the Council of the Academy of Professional Reporters (CAPR) as “providing court reporting, realtime, CART, or captioning services for which compensation in any form was not rendered.” In practice, this can include any variety of services, such as providing CART services for a deaf consumer at a meeting or church service or taking depositions for litigants who could not afford reporting services. Specifically, 0.25 PDC will be awarded for a minimum of 2.5 hours of pro bono service, of which 30 minutes can be the preparation involved. Services for two one-hour events plus 30 minutes of preparation, for example, can be combined for one submission. The preparation time will be accounted for on the honor system. Members will submit an NCRA form along with the processing fee when requesting the credits. The form must be signed by either the deaf consumer or the host of the event for which the pro bono services were performed.

Service on an NCRA, NCRF, or affiliate board or committee

Members will receive 0.25 PDC per year of service on an NCRA, NCRF, or state court reporting association board or committee. Service on a board or committee of the United States Court Reporting Association (USCRA) also qualifies for this category. Members will submit an NCRA form along with the processing fee when requesting the credits, and the year of service must be completed prior to submission. A cross check with NCRA or NCRF board and committee rosters will provide sufficient documentation for national service. For affiliate service and USCRA service, the state and USCRA boards will be required to maintain those records and verify a member’s service with a signature from the state or USCRA board president.

Participation in a formal mentoring program

A minimum of five (5) hours of mentoring are required per 0.25 PDC earned. Those hours can be divided up among multiple students or can be with the same student. A mentor may submit for the same student up to two times per cycle for a total of 10 hours/0.50 PDC if in an extended relationship. The mentoring relationships must be completed during the member's three-year cycle.

Visit NCRA's Virtual Mentor Program to learn more