California Certified Shorthand Reporter Professional Practice Examination — Information & Free Practice

About California Certified Shorthand Reporter Professional Practice Examination

California Certified Shorthand Reporter Professional Practice Examination · US-CA

Key exam facts

Provider

Court Reporters Board of California; developed and maintained with DCA Office of Professional Examination Services (OPES) and licensed subject matter experts; administered by PSI Services LLC.

Format

Multiple-choice written examination delivered by computer at PSI test centers; separate from English and Dictation/Skills.

Exam questions

Unscored questions: 0–25.

Time limit

The PSI bulletin specifies two hours per examination if pre-test items are included. It does not specify a separate duration for an administration without pre-test items; arrival and tutorial time are separate.

Passing score

Angoff criterion-referenced passing score; the required number of correct responses may vary with test composition and difficulty. No single fixed percentage is specified.

Exam fee

USD 25 per Professional Practice administration, including reexamination; USD 40 examination application fee once per three-year cycle, in addition.

Topics covered

• Reporting Proceedings (32%)

  • Obtain information from the court calendar or case caption from the court website to aid in transcript preparation.
  • Obtain all parties’ names and contact information from a variety of sources to facilitate transcript production and distribution.
  • Control the proceedings according to statutes and regulations to ensure verbatim records.
  • Administer the oath to witnesses and interpreters according to statutes and CRB Best Practices.
  • Use computer-aided transcription (CAT) software and equipment according to guidelines to provide realtime translation and onsite and remote streaming.
  • Report interpreted proceedings to make an accurate transcription and comply with protocols and procedures.
  • Mark exhibits introduced for identification during proceedings and inclusion in the record.
  • Flag portions of proceedings requiring further clarification.
  • Cease and resume the reporting of proceedings as required by statutes and CRB Best Practices.
  • Read back proceedings as requested.

• Transcribing Proceedings (26%)

  • Prepare transcripts of proceedings from translated stenographic notes to create an official record.
  • Create cover, appearance, index, and certificate pages according to CRB Best Practices to conform to statutes.
  • Maintain current stenographic or voice-writing dictionaries to facilitate transcript production.
  • Maintain confidentiality of transcripts in accordance with statutes and CRB Best Practices.
  • Ensure that transcripts meet regulatory requirements and jurisdictional rules to aid in administration of justice.
  • Research citations stated on the record using authoritative research resources to ensure that information is correct.

• Transcript Management (25%)

  • Prepare electronic files of transcripts for secure electronic delivery when requested or required.
  • Affix an electronic signature to reporter’s certificate according to court protocols and local practices for transcripts delivered electronically.
  • Fulfill requests for rough draft transcripts pursuant to statutes and CRB Best Practices.
  • Notify deponent when transcripts are ready for review and signature by sending written notice pursuant to statutes and applicable standards.
  • Prepare and deliver certified transcripts when requested or required by code.
  • Maintain custody of deposition exhibits according to CRB Best Practices for production of transcripts and distribution upon completion.
  • Retain stenographic or voice notes of proceedings to ensure security and accessibility according to statute.
  • Deliver stenographic or voice notes to the court when required.
  • Prepare invoices for products and services in accordance with applicable statutes.

• Ethics (17%)

  • Perform the tasks required of CSRs in accordance with scope of practice.
  • Practice and apply impartiality and confidentiality in accordance with statutes and regulations.
  • Practice and apply state and local rules of court and applicable statutes and CRB Best Practices.
  • Use backup audio media (BAM) in accordance with laws, regulations, and CRB Best Practices.

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources and references

• CRB Written Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin

  pp. 13–20, Professional Practice content headings

• CRB Written Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin

  p. 10, Written Examination Plan

• CRB Written Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin

  p. 10, Written Examination Plan, conditional time allowance

• CRB Examination Results and Transcript Format: Final Approved Language

  §2420(a), p. 1

• OAL Approved CRB Fee Schedule

  §2450(a), Order of Adoption p. 1

• CRB Written Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin

  p. 2, Examination Development

• CRB Written Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin

  p. 2, Examinations by PSI Services LLC

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.