FCRR Exam

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 7:30 a.m., (To be determined), 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 and digital recorders. Candidates must disable their computer’s microphone by either changing the settings on their computer or by using an external adapter/plug. If a steno machine has a test mode, the test mode must be used.

Test proctors have the right to inspect a candidate’s equipment, including computer settings and desktop recycle bin, before and after the test. By signing in on test day, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to abide by these procedures. Failure to follow these or any other USCRA testing procedures may result in your automatic failure and being immediately ejected from the test site.