Frequently Asked Questions About the California Certificate in Realtime Reporting Exam
GENERAL INFORMATION
Q. What is the CCRR test?
A. The California Certificate in Realtime Reporting (CCRR) is a skills test designed to measure the basic realtime writing competency of court reporters. The test consists of five minutes of dictation at 200 words per minute at 96% accuracy. Candidates are required to convert their final skills test file to PDF format and copy it onto a USB flash drive, without assistance, and surrender the USB flash drive to a CCRR proctor. NOTE: CDs/DVDs will not be accepted. Candidates must label USB flash drive with their registration number on a label provided upon check-in. Please do not put your name or any other personal identification on it.
Q. Is there a written test?
A. Like the National Court Reporters Association's (NCRA) Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) test, the CCRR has no written test.
Q. Is the CCRR test validated?
A. Yes. The CCRR is evaluated by independent Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who are realtime-certified reporters. Third-party professional test experts recommend SME evaluation to validate a skills test such as the CCRR. The SME evaluation method meets or exceeds the methods used to validate the CRR and the California Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) tests.
Q. What is the format?
A. Two-voice, question and answer, at 200 words per minute, with 96% percent accuracy.
Q. Who can take the test?
A. Stenographic reporters and voice writers are eligible to participate. Any method of capturing the record that is not currently licensed by the California Court Reporters Board is not eligible. Court reporting students are not eligible.
Q. Is the Certified Realtime Professional (CRP) certification still valid?
A. Yes. All CRP holders will be grandfathered in as CCRR holders. The CCRR has been designed to meet or exceed the testing standards of the CRP. The CCRR has additionally been subjected to independent third-party validation.
Q. Which courts recognize the CCRR certification to qualify for extra realtime pay?
A. The first courts to recognize the CCRR were San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara. And now other courts include Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and Ventura, as well as Federal Court. Increasing numbers of courts are offering pay incentives for realtime skills, and the CCRR is a recognized certification for this purpose.
Q. Is CCRR certification subject to annual renewal requirements?
A. No.
Q. Is CCRR certification subject to continuing education requirements?
A. Like the CSR, the CCRR is not subject to continuing education requirements. However, ongoing commitment to professional development is encouraged through membership in CalDRA.
Q. Who can I contact for more information about the CCRR test?
A. Executive Director, [email protected]
TEST ADMINISTRATION
Q. When is the CCRR test offered?
A. In conjunction with every CalDRA annual convention and in conjunction with either the CalDRA spring seminar or fall seminar or both.
We now also offer the CCRR exam online through Realtime Coach and Proctor U. Registration and testing dates for the online CCRR
exam will be announced on our website: www.caldra.org.
Q. Does NCRA award continuing education units for the CCRR test?
A. No.
Q. How many tests are given at each test offering?
A. One.
Q. How much does it cost for the test?
A. The pricing structure is designed to encourage candidates to further their professional development through membership in the state association of their choice. The cost is different for the in-person exam versus the online exam due to additional on-site costs.
The cost for CalDRA members is: $175.000 for the in-person exam and $145.00 for the online exam. For non-members the cost
is: $325.00 for the in-person exam and $295.00 for the online exam.
Q. How do I register to take the CCRR test?
A. By completing and emailing the registration form. Registration can be completed online. Click HERE for online Registration.
Click HERE for in-person Registration.
Q. Can I wait to register onsite on test day?
A. To ensure a guaranteed place at the test site, candidates are highly encouraged to register in advance. Waiting to register onsite is at the candidate's own risk, on a first-come first-served basis and at the discretion of the Examiner. If you are accepted as a walk-in, you must show photo I.D. and proof of membership. Payment in full is required at the door.
Q. Do I have to register for the convention seminars in order to take the CCRR test?
A. No.
Q. Will I receive confirmation of my test registration?
A. Advance registrants will receive a confirmation letter with instructions, which will be emailed prior to the test.
Q. What if I need to cancel my registration?
A. Should you need to cancel for any reason, you must contact the Executive Director within 24 hours prior to the test or by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the test, if it is being held on a Sunday. Your registration fee will then be applied to a future test within the next year, minus a $35 processing fee. You are required to pay the difference when you register for the next test.
Q. What should I bring to the test site?
A. Bring the registration confirmation letter and a photo I.D. You are responsible for providing all necessary equipment: including writers, computers, realtime software, security keys, a blank "formatted" SD data card in your writer, cables, adapters and surge protector/power strips, AND a blank flash drive to submit your PDF test file. Your SD card must be blank and formatted because if it is full and/or never been used, it will start beeping. Important Note: it is recommended to back up all dictionaries and work files in your computer and writer before the test.
Q. What is the attendance policy?
A. If you arrive without registration confirmation and a photo I.D. and do not have at least two other forms of signature I.D., you will be denied entrance to the test. You may register prior to the specified time of doors opening but will not be allowed into the testing room until the official doors-open time. If you arrive after the official doors-close time specified on your registration confirmation, you will be denied entrance to the test.
Q. How is the test administered?
A. After registering and checking in, you are given approximately 30 minutes for setup and practice. The Examiner then gives step-by-step instructions for closing practice files, labeling your flash drive, as well as opening and labeling the test file. The dictation is then begun for 6 minutes. Candidates will be graded on the last 5 minutes of the dictation.
At the end of the test you will be instructed to step outside the room and wait to be called back in by a proctor. The proctor will ask you to create a PDF of the test file on a flash drive and allow you to verify that the file has been successfully transferred to your portable media. After placing your PDF test file in the test envelope and handing it to the proctor, you must accompany the proctor over to the DRA laptop to observe your flash drive being saved onto the DRA laptop and verify that it is a usable file, after which you are free to leave.
Q. Is anyone allowed to help me during the test?
A. No. The test is designed to simulate the work environment, so you are not allowed to seek assistance with either setup or the creation of your PDF file. You may, however, utilize a worksheet with step-by-step instructions.
Q. Can I make a written note of briefs or special terms onsite?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I edit the test?
A. During the test, corrections may be made from the steno machine or the computer keyboard. Once the test is over, no editing of any kind is allowed, including spell-check or scrolling. However, candidates may view their PDF file in the presence of the proctor.
Q. How many errors are allowed on the test?
A. 96% accuracy is required; thus, 40 errors are allowed. All transcripts are graded according to CCRR Grading Guidelines.
Q. Will I receive a numerical score with my results?
A. If you pass, you will be told only that you passed. If you fail, you will be told the number of errors, if it is between 40 and 60. If there are more than 60 errors, you will be told that you missed 60+. That is the point at which the grader will stop grading your test.
Q. Affidavit of Non-Grading
A. If you choose to NOT have your test graded, you must sign the Affidavit of Non-Grading. You are required to place the Affidavit of Non-Grading in your registration envelope with any written notes and surrender them to the proctor.
Q. Are there practice tapes I can purchase?
A. Yes. Each volume of the CCRR Practice Series consists of four previously-administered CCRR tests. They can be obtained through CalDRA’s website under the "Shopping" tab.
POLICY - NOTICE
Q. What is the CCRR liability policy?
A. Use of the candidate’s own equipment is strictly at the candidate’s own risk. Candidates should not expect instruction on how to operate their own or any on-site equipment. Neither the hosting site nor CalDRA assume responsibility should any equipment not perform properly, be dropped, stolen, knocked off a desk, etc. Administration of the test will not be delayed to accommodate equipment failure, accidental erasing of computer files or forgotten items (e.g. cables, power cords) or for computer updates to be completed. Make sure you run updates prior to the test.
Q. How are test irregularities handled?
A. Any candidate participating in any irregularity occurring during this test, such as touching any of your equipment prior to being checked out by a proctor or giving or obtaining unauthorized information or aid, as evidenced by observation or subsequent analysis, will result in automatic failure of the test and prohibition of the candidate's participation in the next three consecutive tests.
Q. Is the CCRR copyrighted?
A. Yes. The CCRR is the property of CalDRA. The test is protected by Copyright Law. No part of this examination may be copied or reproduced in part or whole by any means whatsoever, unless previously authorized by the CalDRA. The theft or attempted theft of the CCRR test is punishable as a crime.
Revised June 2022
CalDRA's CCRR Cancellation Policy:
Should you need to cancel for any reason, you must contact the Executive Director via email at [email protected] within 24 hours prior to the test, or by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the test, if it is being held on a Sunday. Your registration fee may then be applied to a future test within the next year, minus a $35 processing fee. You are required to pay the difference when you register for the next test.
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