With the 2025 NCRA Conference & Expo just around the corner, and the Sept. 30 deadline for earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for 2025 looming, now is a good time to take inventory of what you have, what you need, and how best to earn those credits
What are CEUs?
NCRA’s continuing education requirement means each individual with an NCRA certification is required to earn 3.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) which is the equivalent of 30 hours of approved education. The exception is that those who have earned only NCRA’s Certified Legal Video Specialist (CLVS) credential must earn 1.0 CEU (10 hours) every three years. Registered members, those who have earned a court reporting or captioning credential, also have several opportunities to earn up to 1.0 Professional Development Credit (PDC) toward their overall 3.0 requirement, and CLVS members may earn up to 0.25 PDC.
What are PDCs?
All other activities for which NCRA grants units are awarded as PDCs. While this list is just a sample, the activities include book or article tests; passing a leg of another NCRA certification; participating in NCRF’s Oral Histories Program; providing pro bono services or volunteering for an NCRA, NCRF, or affiliated state board or committee; or participating in a formal mentoring program. (Note: PDCs may not be applied to reinstatement continuing education requirements.)
Who needs them?
Members who have earned NCRA credentials are required to maintain NCRA membership and meet a continuing education requirement every three years to continue using their credentials. The credentials that require CEUs are the Registered Skilled Reporter (RSR), the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), the Registered Merit Reporter (RMR), the Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR), the Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR), the Certified Realtime Captioner (CRC), the Certified Reporting Instructor (CRI), the Certified Manager of Reporting Services (CMRS), and the Certified Legal Video Specialist (CLVS).
The Learning Center
A good place to start earning CEUs is the NCRA Learning Center, which hosts an entire library covering the latest topics like technology, cybersecurity, grammar tips, financial wellness, and more. On-demand webinars feature recorded video and downloadable handout materials and allow you to access the best presentations from past NCRA events and live webinars. Learn more at LearningCenter.NCRA.org.
In-person, pre-approved events
In-person events such as state association conferences offer the opportunity to network with other reporters and captioners while earning CEUs. Attendees at the 2025 NCRA Conference & Expo, for example, can earn up to 1.425 CEUs, as well as some additional credits if they attend any pre-Conference workshops that also offer CEUs. Check out the full calendar of pre-approved events online at NCRA.org by visiting the Events tab where the calendar is located. The online calendar includes the dates, location (geographic or online), and the number of CEUs being offered.
Transcribe oral histories
The National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF) offers opportunities to earn PDCs through its Oral Histories Program. Members can apply up to 1.0 PDC to their CEU requirement per cycle by volunteering to transcribe a 30- to 90-minute pre-recorded interview of an American veteran, Holocaust survivor, or attorney who has provided pro bono services through Legal Aid. Learn more at NCRA.org/NCRF/OralHistories.
Get credit for past events, volunteering, or learning CPR
If you have participated in activities that have helped you earn CEUs or PDCs during the past year, consider filling out the proper form to get credit. These activities can include promoting the profession at a career fair, law school, or other event; providing pro bono services; serving on a state association board or committee, including the U.S. Court Reporting Association; or participating in NCRA’s Virtual Mentor Program. Members can also earn CEUs by learning CPR or first aid.
Article and book tests
Article tests are brief articles followed by short, multiple-choice tests. Some research may be required to answer the questions. Book tests are multiple-choice tests on books approved by the Council of the Academy of Professional Reporters (CAPR) for professional development credits (PDCs). Remember, you may only earn 1.0 PDC per cycle toward your continuing education requirements.
What is the deadline for earning CEUs?
The deadline for earning CEUs is Sept. 30 each year, although the year depends on when you have earned your certifications. You can look up your actual deadline through your NCRA account, which you can access by logging in on NCRA.org. NCRA recommends that Registered Members earn about 10 hours (or more) each year to spread out the requirement over the three-year cycle.
Cycle extensions
If you need a four-month cycle extension (to Jan. 31) to finish those last CEUs, you may fill out the CEU extension request form by Sept. 30. Note that the deadline to complete CEUs or to request an extension is the same date.
If you have any questions, need assistance with identifying upcoming continuing education opportunities, or need help checking your CEU status, visit NCRA’s Continuing Education web pages, contact NCRA’s Continuing Education Department at continuinged@ncra.org or visit the FAQs.
This article appeared in the July issue of the JCR Magazine. The full issue is available online here.
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