TEXAS COURT REPORTER CERTIFICATION EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Texas Government Code Chapter 52*
*Uniform Format Manual for Texas*
*Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure*
*Professional Ethics and Conduct*
*Legal Terminology and Procedures*
*Medical Terminology for Reporters*
*Technology and Stenographic Methods*
*Transcript Production and Billing*
*Introduction*
*The purpose of the Texas Court Reporter Certification Exam is to evaluate
the proficiency and readiness of candidates seeking to serve as officers
of the court. This comprehensive assessment focuses on the essential skills
required to capture the spoken word accurately and produce a verbatim record
Candidates are assessed on their knowledge of the Texas Government Code,
the Uniform Format Manual, and judicial procedures. The exam features a
combination of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, emphasizing
real-world application, ethical decision-making, and regulatory compliance.
By ensuring a high standard of competence, the exam protects the integrity
of the judicial process and the rights of all litigants.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Under the Texas Uniform Format Manual, what is the required number of lines
per page for a standard transcript?
,A. 24 lines
B. 25 lines
C. 26 lines
D. 28 lines
🟢 B. 25 lines
🔴 RATIONALE: The Uniform Format Manual for Texas specifically mandates a 25-line
format for all official transcripts to ensure consistency across the state's judicial
system.
2. A freelance reporter is asked by an attorney to provide a "rough draft" of a
deposition. According to Texas rules, what must the reporter ensure is NOT
present in the draft?
A. Line numbers
B. Proper names
C. The reporter's certification page
D. Timestamping
🟢 C. The reporter's certification page
🔴 RATIONALE: A certification page is reserved for the final, sworn, and edited
transcript; providing it in a rough draft would falsely imply the record is complete and
verified.
3. Which entity is responsible for the licensing and regulation of court reporters in
the state of Texas?
,A. Texas Bar Association
B. Texas Court Reporters Association
C. Judicial Branch Certification Commission
D. Secretary of State
🟢 C. Judicial Branch Certification Commission
🔴 RATIONALE: The Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) oversees the
certification, registration, and licensing of court reporters and firms in Texas.
4. During a deposition, an attorney instructs the reporter to go "off the record." The
opposing attorney objects and wants to remain on the record. What should the
reporter do?
A. Go off the record immediately.
B. Stop writing until the attorneys reach an agreement.
C. Continue recording until all parties agree to go off the record.
D. Ask the witness to decide.
🟢 C. Continue recording until all parties agree to go off the record.
🔴 RATIONALE: Professional standards dictate that a reporter cannot go off the record
unless there is a consensus among all counsel present or a court order.
5. What is the legal term for a jury that cannot reach a verdict after extended
deliberation?
A. Voir dire
B. Hung jury
, C. Directed verdict
D. Summary judgment
🟢 B. Hung jury
🔴 RATIONALE: A hung jury, or deadlocked jury, occurs when members cannot agree
upon a verdict under the required legal standard, often leading to a mistrial.
6. Which of the following defines "Et al." as commonly used in legal captions?
A. And others
B. For the time being
C. According to value
D. In the matter of
🟢 A. And others
🔴 RATIONALE: "Et al." is an abbreviation of the Latin "et alii," meaning "and others,"
used to indicate additional parties not named individually in the title.
7. According to the Texas Government Code, how often must a certified shorthand
reporter renew their certification?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
🟢 B. Every two years
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Texas Government Code Chapter 52*
*Uniform Format Manual for Texas*
*Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure*
*Professional Ethics and Conduct*
*Legal Terminology and Procedures*
*Medical Terminology for Reporters*
*Technology and Stenographic Methods*
*Transcript Production and Billing*
*Introduction*
*The purpose of the Texas Court Reporter Certification Exam is to evaluate
the proficiency and readiness of candidates seeking to serve as officers
of the court. This comprehensive assessment focuses on the essential skills
required to capture the spoken word accurately and produce a verbatim record
Candidates are assessed on their knowledge of the Texas Government Code,
the Uniform Format Manual, and judicial procedures. The exam features a
combination of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, emphasizing
real-world application, ethical decision-making, and regulatory compliance.
By ensuring a high standard of competence, the exam protects the integrity
of the judicial process and the rights of all litigants.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Under the Texas Uniform Format Manual, what is the required number of lines
per page for a standard transcript?
,A. 24 lines
B. 25 lines
C. 26 lines
D. 28 lines
🟢 B. 25 lines
🔴 RATIONALE: The Uniform Format Manual for Texas specifically mandates a 25-line
format for all official transcripts to ensure consistency across the state's judicial
system.
2. A freelance reporter is asked by an attorney to provide a "rough draft" of a
deposition. According to Texas rules, what must the reporter ensure is NOT
present in the draft?
A. Line numbers
B. Proper names
C. The reporter's certification page
D. Timestamping
🟢 C. The reporter's certification page
🔴 RATIONALE: A certification page is reserved for the final, sworn, and edited
transcript; providing it in a rough draft would falsely imply the record is complete and
verified.
3. Which entity is responsible for the licensing and regulation of court reporters in
the state of Texas?
,A. Texas Bar Association
B. Texas Court Reporters Association
C. Judicial Branch Certification Commission
D. Secretary of State
🟢 C. Judicial Branch Certification Commission
🔴 RATIONALE: The Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) oversees the
certification, registration, and licensing of court reporters and firms in Texas.
4. During a deposition, an attorney instructs the reporter to go "off the record." The
opposing attorney objects and wants to remain on the record. What should the
reporter do?
A. Go off the record immediately.
B. Stop writing until the attorneys reach an agreement.
C. Continue recording until all parties agree to go off the record.
D. Ask the witness to decide.
🟢 C. Continue recording until all parties agree to go off the record.
🔴 RATIONALE: Professional standards dictate that a reporter cannot go off the record
unless there is a consensus among all counsel present or a court order.
5. What is the legal term for a jury that cannot reach a verdict after extended
deliberation?
A. Voir dire
B. Hung jury
, C. Directed verdict
D. Summary judgment
🟢 B. Hung jury
🔴 RATIONALE: A hung jury, or deadlocked jury, occurs when members cannot agree
upon a verdict under the required legal standard, often leading to a mistrial.
6. Which of the following defines "Et al." as commonly used in legal captions?
A. And others
B. For the time being
C. According to value
D. In the matter of
🟢 A. And others
🔴 RATIONALE: "Et al." is an abbreviation of the Latin "et alii," meaning "and others,"
used to indicate additional parties not named individually in the title.
7. According to the Texas Government Code, how often must a certified shorthand
reporter renew their certification?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
🟢 B. Every two years
