By the QuizzPrep Team | Published: August 10, 2026 | Last Updated: August 17, 2026 | 7-minute read
Earning your Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification validates your expertise and opens doors to top-tier legal reporting and captioning careers. Mastering the Written Knowledge Test (WKT) is the crucial first step.
Flashcards: Memorize complex legal terminology, medical roots, and transcript formatting rules. Access Free Flashcards →
Study Guide: Dive deep into exam blueprints, technology requirements, and professional ethics. Read the Study Guide →
Cheat Sheet: Keep a quick-reference guide handy for grammar rules, software protocols, and test-day strategies. Get the Cheat Sheet →
⏱️ Exam duration: 110 minutes for the Written Knowledge Test (WKT)
???? Total/scored questions: 120 total multiple-choice questions (105 scored, 15 pretest)
???? Passing score: Minimum scaled score of 70
???? Current exam fee: $220 for NCRA members ($310 for non-members)
The Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification, administered by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), is the gold standard for court reporters in the United States. While the physical skills test proves your speed and accuracy on the steno machine, the Written Knowledge Test (WKT) evaluates your foundational knowledge of reporting practices, professional ethics, legal and medical terminology, and technology. Proper preparation reduces test anxiety and ensures you understand the rigorous standards expected of a certified professional.
Understand the hardware and software utilized in modern court reporting, including steno machines, real-time technology, and secure backup systems.Start Free Test →
Review the protocols for using CAT software, resolving translation conflicts, managing dictionaries, and ensuring seamless digital transcript delivery.Start Free Test →
Master the flow of trial proceedings, marking exhibits, reading back testimony, and understanding the distinct roles of the judge, jury, and counsel.Start Free Test →
Learn the specific rules governing discovery depositions, administering oaths, handling off-the-record discussions, and navigating videographer interactions.Start Free Test →
Familiarize yourself with standard page layouts, margins, Q&A symbols, parentheticals, and title pages required for official legal documents.Start Free Test →
Study the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics, covering impartiality, confidentiality, handling conflicts of interest, and preserving the official record.Start Free Test →
Test your mastery of advanced punctuation, syntax, spelling, and capitalization rules necessary for producing flawless, readable transcripts.Start Free Test →
Evaluate your knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and standard medical prefixes and suffixes frequently encountered in expert testimony.Start Free Test →
Ensure you comprehend Latin phrases, civil and criminal litigation terms, appellate vocabulary, and standard legal maneuvers used during litigation.Start Free Test →
Review the fundamental principles of operating as a freelance reporter, including billing procedures, archiving requirements, and independent contractor guidelines.Start Free Test →
Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate action when an attorney instructs the court reporter to go "off the record" during a deposition, but opposing counsel objects?Answer and Explanation: You must remain on the record. A court reporter can only stop recording when all parties present agree to go off the record or when directed by a judge.Practice More Questions →
Question: In medical terminology, what does the prefix "hypo-" indicate?Answer and Explanation: The prefix "hypo-" indicates a condition that is below normal, under, or deficient. For example, hypotension refers to abnormally low blood pressure.Get the Cheat Sheet →
Question: According to the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics, what must a reporter do if they discover a conflict of interest prior to a job?Answer and Explanation: The reporter must immediately disclose the conflict to all parties involved. If the conflict compromises impartiality, the reporter must withdraw from the assignment.Review the Study Guide →
Question: When formatting a transcript, where are parentheticals typically placed?Answer and Explanation: Parentheticals (such as indicating a recess or an exhibit being marked) are typically indented to a specific tab stop defined by jurisdiction guidelines, often 15 spaces from the left margin, to clearly separate them from spoken testimony.Access Free Flashcards →
Basics | Format | Registration | Results | Study Tips
The RPR Written Knowledge Test measures the academic foundation required to be a competent court reporter. It bridges the gap between mechanical typing speed and professional legal comprehension.
The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) develops, updates, and administers the RPR exam. The test is delivered via Pearson VUE testing centers.
Earning your RPR credential validates your professionalism, satisfies many state licensing requirements, allows you to command higher compensation, and is a prerequisite for advanced certifications like the RMR or CRR.
Advisory on Terminology: Medical and legal terminology can easily overwhelm candidates. Do not attempt to cram complex Latin and Greek root words the week before your exam. Instead, build a daily spaced-repetition habit using flashcards. Focus specifically on anatomy, pharmacology, and standard civil litigation phrases, as these domains heavily populate the WKT and require automatic recall.
To determine your success on the RPR WKT, the NCRA uses a scaled scoring system rather than a raw percentage.
Total Questions Presented: 120
Pretest (Unscored) Questions: 15
Total Scored Questions: 105
Illustrative Result: A candidate answers 82 out of 105 scored questions correctly. This raw score is statistically converted to a scaled score. If the scaled score meets or exceeds 70, the candidate passes.
Official Court Reporter: Work directly for a state or federal courthouse, recording trials and hearings. Provides excellent benefits and a stable work environment, though schedules are dictated by the court.
Freelance Court Reporter: Work independently or for an agency, taking depositions in law offices. Offers flexible scheduling and high earning potential, but requires self-management of taxes and equipment.
CART Captioner: Provide Communication Access Realtime Translation for the deaf and hard-of-hearing in universities or corporate settings. Highly rewarding work that demands extreme accuracy and diverse vocabulary.
Broadcast Captioner: Caption live television, news, and sports broadcasts from a home office or studio. Requires an exceptional dictionary and the ability to work under high-pressure, live-air constraints.
✅ Verify your testing appointment time and location with Pearson VUE 24 hours in advance.
✅ Bring two forms of valid, unexpired identification (one must be a government-issued photo ID).
✅ Review the testing center rules regarding prohibited personal items (phones, smartwatches, heavy coats).
✅ Plan your travel route to account for unexpected traffic or transit delays.
✅ Eat a balanced, protein-rich meal to sustain your focus for the two-hour duration.
✅ Dress in comfortable, layered clothing to adapt to fluctuating testing center temperatures.
✅ Arrive at the testing facility at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
✅ Take a moment to practice deep breathing in the lobby to reduce test anxiety before starting.
Preparing for the RPR WKT requires dedication, but every hour you spend studying terminology and ethics brings you closer to your goal. Trust your training, review your weak areas consistently, and remember that mastery takes time. You have the skills to succeed. Start the Free Practice Test →
Pros:
✅ High earning potential for certified, experienced professionals.
✅ Flexible career paths ranging from courtrooms to at-home broadcast captioning.
✅ Nationwide recognition of the NCRA RPR credential.
✅ High industry demand due to ongoing shortages of certified reporters.
Cons:
❌ Requires a significant upfront financial investment in steno equipment and software.
❌ The skills portion requires intense, prolonged physical and mental training.
❌ Stringent accuracy requirements can induce substantial on-the-job stress.
❌ Mandatory continuing education units (CEUs) are required to maintain certification.
How do I register for the RPR WKT? You must register through the NCRA website. Once approved, you will receive an authorization to schedule your exam date and time through Pearson VUE.
What ID is required on test day? You must present two forms of valid, unexpired ID. The primary ID must be government-issued and include your photo and signature (e.g., driver's license or passport).
Can I retake the exam if I fail? Yes. If you do not pass, you can register to retake the WKT during the next available testing window, though you must pay the exam fee again.
Are testing accommodations available? Yes. Candidates requiring accommodations under the ADA must submit a formal request and supporting medical documentation to the NCRA prior to scheduling their exam.
How long does it take to get my results? Candidates typically receive a preliminary pass/fail report immediately at the Pearson VUE center, with official scaled scores posted to their NCRA account within a few weeks.
What is the difference between the WKT and the Skills Test? The WKT is a multiple-choice exam testing your academic knowledge. The Skills Test requires you to write and transcribe spoken dictation at varying speeds (up to 225 words per minute).
Does the RPR replace state licensing? It depends on your jurisdiction. Some states accept the RPR in lieu of a state Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) exam, while others require their own specific tests.
How long is my RPR certification valid? Once you pass both the WKT and Skills Tests, you must maintain your NCRA membership and complete 3.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every three years to keep your credential active.
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QuizzPrep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). This information is provided for general educational guidance.
Official Research References: National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) certification handbooks - Accessed August 2026.
This page was independently written and fact-checked by QuizzPrep for this site.
About the Author: The QuizzPrep Team is a dedicated group of American educational specialists, certification experts, and UX writers. With decades of combined experience in test preparation, we design accessible, accurate, and engaging study materials to help candidates conquer high-stakes exams and confidently advance their professional careers.
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