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The FCRR test consists of five minutes of Q&A two-voice recorded dictation at 200 wpm. 96% accuracy is required to pass the exam. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts recognizes the FCRR as realtime certification. USCRA membership is required to register for the exam.
Two tests will be administered in this examination, Test #2 immediately after Test #1.
You may register for Test #1 or both tests. The registration fee is $150 for Test #1 or $250 for both tests. If you register for only one test, the first test is the test that will be graded. You will write the second test, but it will not be graded. Should you later change your mind and wish to register for the second exam, you must do so before the examination commences.
Registrations must be received by 5:00 p.m. CST on March 22, 2023. Registrations received after that time will be declined.
Check-in at the registration table will be at 8:00 a.m. with warm-up time following. Testing will commence at 9:00 a.m. or as soon as practical. If the number of registrants exceeds available testing space, USCRA may institute a second exam session later in that morning.
A test confirmation letter will be e-mailed to registrants prior to the test. No e-mails will be sent to federal court work e-mail addresses. The confirmation letter will state the time you are to report to the registration desk, required equipment, exam procedures, speaker identifications, subject matters, and a list of terms for your job dictionary.
Registration for the FCRR Examination will open at the same time as registration for the convention. You are encouraged to register early in the event we have a high turnout. Should you need to cancel for any reason, contact Anne Bowline, Reporter Testing Committee Chair, at fcrr.uscra@gmail.com, prior to the date of the test to request an FCRR Cancellation Voucher. This voucher will defer your test fees for up to two years. A $25 cancellation fee per test will be deducted.
For questions, refer to the FAQ sheet or e-mail inquiries to Anne Bowline at fcrr.uscra@gmail.com.
FCRR Security Requirements
Note to all test candidates:
Candidates are prohibited from using electronic devices of any kind once they have signed in at the test site. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, audio sync, Bluetooth, wireless connections, microphones, digital recorders, cell phones, mobile hotspots, or any device or program used to access the Internet.
Candidates must disable their computer’s microphone by changing the settings on their computer. Laptops must be placed in airplane mode. The steno machine must be in test mode.
Proctors have the right to inspect a candidate’s equipment, including computer settings and desktop recycle bin, before and after the test.
The FCRR examination is designed to test the writing ability of the reporter, not the quality of any speech-to-text function in the software. Therefore, the use of any programs such as Eclipse Boost or Boost Flow is not allowed during the test. Testing candidates are prohibited from using shared editing functions such as Stenograph RealTeam or Eclipse Connection Magic.