Professional Certification

Registered Professional Reporter Certification (RPR)
More than half of NCRA’s reporter members have received certification as Registered Professional Reporters. To earn RPR status, reporters must pass skills and knowledge tests that are given twice a year at more than 1200 sites throughout the U.S. and abroad. The skills portion of the exam includes dictation at speeds up to 225 words per minute. The American Council on Education has evaluated the RPR exam as being worth 21 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree.

Registered Merit Reporter (RMR)
NCRA also offers a Registered Merit Reporter examination, which is similar to the RPR exam but more challenging, with speeds up to 260 words per minute. The American Council on Education has evaluated the RMR as being worth three additional college credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree.

Registered Diplomate Report (RDR)
The Registered Diplomate Reporter certification is acquired by passing a written knowledge exam designed to reflect professional learning acquired over several years of experience as a reporter.

Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR)
The Certified Realtime Reporter designation promotes and recognizes competence in the specialized skill of converting the spoken word into the written word within seconds. Reporters use realtime skills to produce captions of live TV shows for the benefit of deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Realtime is also a key factor in complying with the access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Certified Manager of Reporting Services Institute (CMRS)
The CMRS Institute provides college-level training to reporters who wish to improve their knowledge and practice in management. The Institute consists of two intensive teaching modules plus reading and writing assignments for each, and an independent research assignment.

Certified Reporting Instructor (CRI)
The Certified Reporting Instructor program establishes criteria for excellence in reporter-training skills and encourages continual learning to maintain and enhance these skills.

Certified Legal Video Specialist (CLVS)
Recognizing the need for high standards in the pretrial use of videotape for depositions, NCRA in 1977 began conducting videotape workshops for reporters and interested nonreporters. By 1984 the program had evolved to include a certification exam as a mark of competence in this skill.

Continuing Education
To retain the RPR, RMR or RDR designations, reporters must participate in NCRA-approved continuing education programs and earn at least 30 continuing education credits every three years. NCRA’s continuing education program is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, an organization designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

NCRA – National Court Reporters Association
8224 Old Courthouse Road
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 556-6272
(703) 556-6291 fax
e-mail: msic@ncrahq.org
web site: www.verbatimreporters.com

MAPCR – Michigan Association of Professional Court Reporters
3300 Washtenaw Avenue, Suite 220
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4200
(734) 973-0167
(734) 677-2407 fax
e-mail: administration@mapcr.org
web site: http://www.mapcr.org

Ask for the Blue card!

All court reporters in Michigan must be certified pursuant to MCR8.108(G)(1)(f). Be sure to ask for the reporter's blue ID card before going on the record. The blue card provides proof of certification. Certification of depositions by noncertified reporters subjects the uncertified individual to sanctions. Irregularities should be reported to the State Court Administrative Office.